A recent dining experience in Dongguan has sparked outrage after a family was slapped with a staggering 911 yuan ($125) in hidden fees at Hongyuan Hotel. The bill revealed 152 yuan ($21) for a mysterious "Chinese Chef Fee," 216 yuan ($30) for tea service (18 yuan per person), and 543 yuan ($75) as a service charge – all added without prior notice. The customer, Ms. Dong (pseudonym), stated the meal involved no special services or premium ingredients, calling these charges "unlabeled and illegal." The restaurant manager dismissed concerns, claiming "this is how we've always done it," refusing refunds or explanations.

This incident highlights a growing consumer pain point: how to combat undisclosed restaurant fees. Across China's dining scene, such creative billing practices have drawn widespread complaints. On consumer rights platforms like [Black Cat Complaints], countless cases document similar grievances.

One consumer reported ordering a "Diguo" hotpot set meal via MEITUAN's platform during Lunar New Year, only to face surprise charges for utensils and napkins at checkout. Though MEITUAN's客服 initially acknowledged the violation of their "no offline payments" policy, they initially refused refunds. The complainant later secured full reimbursement after submitting order screenshots, receipt photos, and客服 chat logs to Black Cat Complaints, which pressured MEITUAN into action.

**How to Avoid "Fee Traps" When Dining Out:** 1. **Ask About Fees First**: Before ordering, check menus or ask staff about tea fees, service charges, corkage fees, or minimum spends. Demand clarification if not displayed. 2. **Scrutinize Your Bill**: Challenge any vague line items like "chef fees," "processing charges," or "miscellaneous" costs that weren't disclosed upfront. 3. **Reject "Industry Norm" Excuses**: Statements like "everyone charges this" don't justify undisclosed fees – consumers must insist on transparency.

**Step-by-Step Guide to Fight Hidden Fees:** 1. **Document Everything On-Site**: - Photograph the itemized bill, menu pages missing fee disclosures, and restaurant signage. - Record conversations with managers demanding explanations for unexpected charges. 2. **Refuse & Escalate**: - Politely decline paying undisclosed fees while settling the legitimate bill. - Contact platform客服 (e.g., MEITUAN App) immediately for intervention. 3. **Leverage Public Platforms**: - File detailed complaints with evidence (receipts, recordings) on Black Cat Complaints to trigger swift resolution. 4. **Legal Recourse**: - Report violations of China's Pricing Law and Consumer Rights Protection Law to local市场监管部门 (Hotline: 12315). - For significant losses, consider lawsuits under the "refund plus triple compensation" penalty clause.