Meet the insurance boss who faced backlash over frank reviews of Michelin-listed hawkers

When Mr Lucas Neo started posting food videos on TikTok and Instagram, the straight-talking insurance boss never imagined he would end up in the hot seat.

- Hedy Khoo

Insurance boss Lucas Neo's videos are unscripted. But since controversy over his candid approach erupted, he is trying to speak less provocatively.

(ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH)

Mr Neo, 35, executive director of an agency under AIA Financial Advisers, had started a series called Exposing Michelin Hawkers on Sept 16 under the moniker Lucas The Boss. He wanted to give his take on 148 Michelin-listed hawkers and see if they lived up to their reputation.

“By doing this series, I wanted to provide real, unbiased reviews for the public, build a bigger online presence and spread positivity. 1 did not expect the huge backlash,” he says.

The series kicked off with what he called his “brutal honest review” of A Noodle Story, in which he stated that paying $10.80 for the bowl of noodles was an “absolute no” for him. Despite praising its “beautiful” presentation and “flavourful huge wonton”, he did not like the “alkaline smell” of the noodles, which made the entire dish unappetising to him.

He also questioned how the stall in Amoy Street Food Centre had received the Michelin Bib Gourmand award every year since 2016.

Barely a month later, after reviewing 49 hawkers, the series attracted not only fans who appreciated his candour, but also food content creators and netizens who slammed him for affecting hawker livelihoods and even accused him of “breaking their rice bowls”.

On Oct 14, he posted a video to clarify that he was not paid to do his series and meant no harm to hawkers, adding that he would continue to post reviews despite the hate and negative comments.

“Honesty in food reviews is akin to being honest with yourself. If you can’t even speak your mind, and just agree with whatever people are saying, what’s the point? Go with the flow? That’s not how a leader acts.”