80-Year-Old Is Winning The Hearts Of Malaysians With His Cheapest Wantan In Penang
"The younger generation should follow his example. In fact all of us should emulate his attitude," said one.
By Sadho Ram — 03 Feb 2015, 12:18 PM — Updated almost 10 years ago
Last year when many hawkers raised the prices of their food, this octogenarian still maintained the same price of his wantan mee
Uncle Gan, as he is fondly called, has been maintaining the price of his wantan at 10 sen each regardless of the fuel price. "You can't find a cheaper wantan in town!" declared Gan with a laugh.
“I dare say my wantan is the cheapest in Penang. I have been selling at this price for the past 15 years,” he said at his home in Jalan Lembah Permai, Tanjung Bungah. “My wantan mee is priced at RM2.50 for a small plate and RM3 for a large plate over the past five years.”
thestar.com.myGan told The Star that he did not increase the price even after the fuel price hike because he did not have many commitments
“I don’t need to hire a helper because my wife helps me out and I’m selling from my home so I don’t have to pay rent,” he said.
He said although the wantan he sells is small, they could be quite filling if a person eats 10 of them. “And you only have to pay RM1 for that. I also provide chilli sauce and other self-made flavours,” said Gan who operates from his home which is located opposite the Federation School for the Deaf along Jalan Lembah Permai (Vale of Tempe) in Tanjung Bungah.
Uncle Gan said he could still make a profit at 10 sen a piece although not much. "I have to rely on high sales volume. For example, I have to sell 2,000 wantan a day to earn RM20."
A quick survey around the area revealed that the price of wantan elsewhere are at least 30sen each but they have more filling. Gan also sells wantan noodles at RM2.50 for a small plate and RM3 for a big plate, prices which he had maintained for several years. The small plate comes with six wantan while the big plate has eight wantan and double the amount of noodles.
thestar.com.myHe said the business helped supplement the household income. "Besides, I can keep myself sane by doing this," he said.
Gan is helped by his wife Cheng Kooi Lan, who sometimes cycles to a nearby market to buy pork and other ingredients. Gan picked up his cooking skills in his teens when he worked as a helper at a wantan noodle stall in the Cecil Street Market here.
He later started a stall of his own in Tanjung Bungah before operating from his house after recovering from injuries sustained in an attempted robbery two years ago.
Gan showing the wantan he has prepared at his house in Jalan Lembah Permai.
Image via thestar.com.myHe has turned part of his house compound into a makeshift kitchen and put 3 tables there for his customers, most of whom are students of a nearby college. Once everything is ready, he prepares the bite-sized wantans filled with minced pork and flour.
Gan serving the wantan mee at his home in Jalan Lembah Permai in Tanjung Bungah, Penang.
Image via thestar.com.my“Most of my customers order for takeaway. They buy between 10 and 20 pieces of the wantan,” said Gan, who picked up his cooking skills in his teens when he worked as a helper at a wantan noodle stall in the Cecil Street Market in George Town.
Gan’s business hours are from 10am to 11pm daily. He operates near Penang TAR College in Tanjung Tokong (behind Hill road).
Uncle Gan's inspiring story was posted on the Facebook page of The Star, 3 February. There, commenters have flooded the post with their admiration and praise for the octogenarian.
