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With the costs of maintaining a food stall gradually increasing over the years, hawkers also have to raise the prices of their dishes to keep up.
However, one man in Malaysia has decreased the price of his chicken rice amidst the rising costs.
RM3 chicken rice
Ong Eng Kim, who owns a chicken rice stall in Penang, shares with Malaysian Chinese media Sin Chew Daily that previously, he sold his chicken rice for RM5 (S$1.50) and could barely sell eight whole chickens in a day.
He now sells his chicken rice for RM3 (S$0.90) and also offers roast pork and barbecue pork rice at the same price.
Ong also told Sin Chew Daily that he had always planned on selling his chicken rice for RM3 and did not want to change the prices anytime soon.
When he first introduced the reduced prices, locals assumed it was a limited time promotion or an attempt to boost sales. However, he has stuck with it.
Naturally, some customers came with concerns as to how he earned money, to which he assured them that despite earning less from each plate, he was now able to sell more plates.
Ong, 50, said that with every roasted chicken sold, he will earn a profit of RM6. He now sells about 20 chickens a day, and his goal is to sell 25 whole chickens a day.
Wants to see people happy
Ong said that while he only earns a small profit, the most important thing for him is that while he can continue to feed people and help them through tough times, he will always be happy.
"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 added.
Ong's stall can be found at Hong Kong YumCha Corner on Jalan Macalister, George Town.
It is opened daily from 9:30am to 1:30pm except for Sundays.
Top photo via Sin Chew Daily