KUALA LUMPUR — Food prices at the Sepang International Circuit have sparked a debate among Formula 1 fans, with nasi lemak with a fried egg priced at RM35, while chicken rice and Indomie with a fried egg cost RM30 each.
The prices, listed by official event vendors for this weekend’s Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026, have drawn attention online, particularly because the dishes are everyday Malaysian favourites.
A serving of cut fruit is also priced at RM20, prompting some social media users to question the cost of food inside the circuit.
Facebook user Shamad Ahad criticised the prices, describing them as excessive compared with what the same food would normally cost outside the venue.
“This is a very throat-cutting price and it feels like we are living in Bahrain more than Malaysia,” he said.
Several other users also questioned the RM35 price for nasi lemak with a fried egg and RM30 for instant noodles with a fried egg.
However, others on Threads said the prices were reasonable given the scale of the event.
“Okay, this is fine. I expected a Ramly burger and Pepsi to cost RM50 at the stadium,” Threads user @picolojr commented.
“It’s reasonable for F1 prices. I think this is okay,” said @abuzarghifarimt.
Another user, @wthilmi, said the prices were within expectations for an event of such scale.
“Honestly, I expected it to be more expensive than this. This is considered okay for an event of this magnitude,” the user wrote.
User syaffiq7474 also compared the current nasi lemak price with those charged when Formula 1 was last held at Sepang in 2016.
“The price of nasi lemak hasn’t changed since last time in 2016. RM35 for the F1 event is considered okay,” the user wrote.
Another Threads user described the prices as “acceptable, since this is an international sport”.
The differing reactions come as Formula 1 returns to Sepang after a nine-year absence, with the event expected to draw large crowds to the circuit over the three-day weekend.
Food and entertainment are part of the race-weekend experience, with the Bahrain International Circuit and Sepang International Circuit incorporating Bahraini culture, cuisine and hospitality into the event through attractions such as the Bahrain Village.
For fans attending with family or friends, food costs can quickly add to the overall expense of a race weekend.
Four portions of nasi lemak at RM35 each would cost RM140, while four servings of chicken rice at RM30 each would total RM120, excluding drinks and other purchases.
The debate over food prices comes as the return of Formula 1 is also being positioned as an opportunity to generate wider economic activity, particularly in tourism, accommodation, transport, food and other sectors.
For Malaysian fans, however, the immediate question remains whether familiar dishes such as nasi lemak, chicken rice and instant noodles are worth the premium prices inside the circuit.
With the race weekend underway, the menu has become an unexpected talking point alongside Formula 1’s return to Sepang. — October 2, 2026
The post ‘Throat-cutting prices’: RM35 nasi lemak, RM30 chicken rice spark F1 food debate at Sepang appeared first on Scoop.
