Vendor In Penang Sells RM3 Chicken Rice To Help Those Who Are Struggling To Make Ends Meet
"Even though I don't earn much with the RM3 chicken rice, the most important thing is that I'm able to help others by filling their stomachs."
By Aqasha Nalani — 07 Apr 2023, 12:59 PM
A chicken rice vendor in Penang recently caught the attention of locals in the area after he started selling chicken rice for only RM3
The owner of the chicken rice stall, Ong Eng Kim, said that the RM3 price tag is not only offered for his chicken rice dish, but also for his roasted pork and barbequed pork rice.
Ong shared that when he was selling his chicken rice for RM5, he only managed to sell seven or eight roasted chickens in a day.
However, after the price deduction, the 50-year-old said that his stall, located in Jalan Macalister, is now able to sell around 20 roasted chickens in a single day.
He added that it does not matter if the stall earns less than its competitors. To Ong, as long as he can continue to feed people, it will always put a smile on his face.
When he first introduced the RM3 meal in October last year, many locals assumed that he only did so as a gimmick or a promotion to boost his sales
However, Ong told Sin Chew Daily that he had always planned on selling his chicken rice for RM3 and will not be changing the price tag anytime soon.
"The RM3 chicken rice is not temporary. After customers understood this, they often frequent my stall and show support," he said.
"Some customers have also asked how I managed to continue the business with such a low price, and I told them that although I earn less, I'm able to make up for it in volume," he added.
The 50-year-old also said that with every roasted chicken sold, he is able to earn a profit of RM6, and he hopes that he is able to sell 25 chickens a day in the future.
Ong explained that he decided to set for a low price tag after seeing people struggle to make ends meet post pandemic
The stall owner admitted that he only earns a small profit with the current pricing. However, the most important thing for him is that he is able to help others through tough times.
"Even though the pandemic has passed, many are still struggling financially. And though I don't earn much with the RM3 chicken rice, the most important thing is that I'm able to help others by filling their stomachs," he said.
Ong's stall is located in Hong Kong YumCha Corner on Jalan Macalister, George Town. It opens daily from 9.30am to 1.30pm, except on Sunday.
