A chicken rice vendor in Penang, Ong Eng Kim, has become a local hero after he started selling his signature chicken rice dish, as well as roasted pork and barbecued pork rice, for only RM3 each.
His stall, located in Jalan Macalister, has caught the attention of many locals in the area who are struggling financially due to the post-pandemic economy.
Photo via Sin Chew Daily
Ong shared that he used to sell his chicken rice for RM5, but he only managed to sell seven or eight roasted chickens in a day. However, after introducing the RM3 meal in October last year, the 50-year-old said that his stall can now sell around 20 roasted chickens in a single day.
While the reduced price means that Ong's stall earns less than its competitors, he said that it does not matter as long as he can continue to feed people. "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," he said.
When Ong first introduced the RM3 meal, many locals assumed that it was only a gimmick or promotion to boost his sales. However, he 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.
Photo via Sin Chew Daily
"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."
With every roasted chicken sold, Ong is able to earn a profit of RM6, and he hopes that he is able to sell 25 chickens a day in the future.
Wah, the stall owner's compassion and dedication to helping others is inspiring, and he has since become a symbol of hope for those struggling during these challenging times.
