In September, a Japanese tourist in Singapore got a nasty shock when her restaurant bill came up to $1,000 after she ordered a chili-crab dish costing about $680.
The restaurant told Insider that its staff had clearly pointed to per-gram prices on the menu, and even showed the entire crab to the tourist before serving — standard practices in the local seafood scene that might not be apparent to the unacquainted.
Still, the tourist said she had no idea the bill would be so high, and called the police.
For travelers visiting Singapore, ordering chili crab — one of the nation's iconic dishes — might not be as straightforward as you'd expect. Prices often fluctuate depending on the season and are usually listed by weight, which can catch tourists by surprise when they're settling the bill.
Here are seven tips for any traveler dining at Singapore's seafood restaurants.