A dispute over durian quality has gone viral after a Chinese tourist and her mother demanded a refund at a durian stall in Penang.
The duo claimed the seeds were too big and the fruit didn’t taste good—despite having eaten the entire durian.
The incident occurred on April 26 around 6 pm at a durian shop in Chew Jetty, where the duo requested to try a ‘Hor Lor’ durian, priced at RM59.
However, things took a turn when the tourist complained that the seeds were too large and the texture was poor, calling it a “bad experience” during her trip.
“If I pay for this, I’d be a fool!”
In a video circulating online, the tourist appeared visibly upset, claiming she had been “cheated” and treated unfairly.
She insisted that the seller should compensate customers if the durian didn’t taste good.
We already paid RM50, and now you’re asking for an additional RM9. We should be the ones asking for compensation, as the durian wasn’t nice,” she said.
To this, a staff member replied, “You said it’s not nice, but most people don’t complain.”
Durian shop owner stands firm
Shop owner Sim Ho Gui (transliteration), 65, later explained that the pair had requested to taste the ‘Hor Lor’ durian and were informed of its RM59 price.
Although Sim was not present during the altercation, he said his staff had offered to reduce the price to RM55 in goodwill, but the customers insisted on paying only RM50 and still demanded a refund.
“They only complained after eating the whole fruit”
Sim noted that the ‘Hor Lor’ variety is known for having larger seeds, and believes the tourists were unfamiliar with the characteristics of different durian types.
We clearly label all our durians and customers can choose to pay before or after tasting. But eating everything and then complaining—it’s unreasonable,” he told China Press.
He added that he takes pride in quality control as a durian grower with over 20 years in the industry and a past runner-up at an international durian competition.
Other Chinese tourists tried to explain local norms
A nearby shop owner who witnessed the commotion said another Chinese tourist had attempted to explain Malaysia’s durian-buying etiquette to the pair—where customers typically negotiate before tasting, not after.
They were told that if the durian isn’t satisfactory, the time to raise the issue is immediately, not after eating it all,” the witness said.
The situation later escalated when one of the women allegedly scratched a bystander who was filming the scene, demanding that the video be deleted.
The altercation reportedly continued into the back alleys of the area.
