A canteen at Nanjing University sells king crab for 999 yuan ($140). Photo: Social media user "Fried Chicken Mantou"

Logistical support group of Nanjing University in East China's Jiangsu Province said in a statement on Tuesday that it had adjusted the menu served at campus canteen and vowed to provide affordable and quality meals, along with better service. 

The statement came after photos of king crab sold at 999 yuan ($140) at the school canteen went viral and triggered debates.

In the statement, the logistical support group explained that some counters at the university's No. 9 canteen are currently undergoing service upgrades and menu testing to explore more diverse service models that can meet different needs, which has been well received by students and faculty.

During a trial operation starting on November 1, a counter offered Kamchatka crab (commonly known as king crab) as part of a promotional campaign.

To further promote the value of thrift and frugality on campus, the catering company operating the counter has since adjusted its menu to ensure a greater variety of affordable dishes that better align with the role of a campus canteen, read the statement.

The statement also highlighted that the university canteens have been offering a range of budget meals, including 0.01-yuan "warm breakfast," student meal sets priced at 7-10 yuan, low-cost vegetable dishes priced at 0.4 or 0.8 yuan, salty and sweet free soups, as well as 1.5-yuan plain noodles or fried rice, value breakfast sets.

The logical support group vowed to further expand the variety of dishes, improve the taste of meals, and provide more affordable, quality food and better services to all teachers and students of the university.

Earlier, a social media user named "Fried Chicken Mantou" posted on social media that a canteen counter at Nanjing University offered a range of seafood dishes, including king crab priced at 999 yuan each (about 4.2 kilograms), Boston lobster at 158 yuan each, and grouper at 68 yuan per fish. The counter also sold more affordable options such as oysters for 10 yuan each and shrimp for 40 yuan per 500 grams. Customers can choose from boiling, minced garlic-flavored, and salt-and-pepper styles.

The post went viral and sparked mixed reactions online. Supporters welcomed the chance for students to enjoy higher-quality dishes, while critics argued that campus canteens should prioritize healthy and affordable meals, pointing out that most students cannot afford such expensive options and that these offerings could foster unhealthy comparisons.

Global Times