A Long-standing Chicken Rice Stall Serves Kajang Community at RM4 per Pack
KAJANG, Selangor – For more than 37 years, a modest chicken rice stall operating from a tricycle at the morning wet market in Cheras 11th mile has consistently offered an affordable meal option to local residents. Tan Leong Soon, the vendor operating this unbranded tricycle stall, has maintained the price of his chicken rice at RM4 per packet despite market inflation and increasing food costs in Malaysia. This practice has contributed to the stall’s popularity among the Chinese new village community in the Kajang region, with its location adjacent to several urban centres including Seri Kembangan and proximity to Batu Caves providing steady customer flow.
Serving the Community Efficiently While Keeping Prices Accessible
Tan, who is in his 60s, began selling chicken rice at this site nearly four decades ago, initially pricing each packet at 60 sen. Over the years, even as the costs of ingredients and related supplies increased, he deliberately kept the price low to remain accessible to the local community. Operational primarily as a small-scale business, Tan aims for sustainability rather than high profits, focusing on meeting daily expenses. He typically works six days a week, closing only on Mondays or when necessary for personal matters.
His menu includes standard chicken rice priced at RM4 per pack, Char Siew rice at the same price point, and a drumstick chicken rice option at RM4.40, which represents a slightly higher-priced offering due to the premium cut of meat. The stall is well known for quick service; Tan is able to prepare a customised order in approximately 15 seconds owing to decades of experience, even managing to memorise the preferences of many regular customers. This level of efficiency and personalisation has fostered a familiar rapport with patrons, who approach the stall more like old friends than typical customers. Transactions are conducted in cash only, a practice tolerated and understood by the majority of buyers who prepare exact change to expedite purchases, as no e-wallet or QR code payments are accepted.
Local Patronage and Operational Insights During Market Days
Observations during a Saturday morning visit revealed a steady stream of customers notwithstanding intermittent rain, indicating the stall’s embeddedness within the local community. Some patrons noted that regular workdays and school days often see a higher volume of buyers, occasionally resulting in queues. The positive dependence on this stall is underscored by long-term customers such as Mr Pan, who has supported the business since near its inception and emphasises the challenges of finding chicken rice at comparable prices elsewhere in Malaysia. Similarly, other customers highlighted the stall’s benefits to the village population, citing affordability as the key factor maintaining patronage.
Tan explained his decision against establishing a permanent shop or coffee shop outlet, citing the flexibility required for his multiple job commitments and the autonomy maintained by operating the mobile stall. Rental fees and fixed hours associated with shop operation were factors in this choice, allowing him to close the stall temporarily when necessary without permanent obligations. Tan expressed intent to continue the business as long as his health permits.
Maintaining Tradition Amidst Economic Pressure and Industry Trends
In the context of rising inflation and increases in commodity prices throughout Malaysia, particularly in food and fuel, Tan’s adherence to fixed pricing for multiple years marks a countertrend to the wider food service industry, where price adjustments are more frequent. While Tan indicated there might be a need for a price review if costs continue to escalate next year, the prevailing sentiment observed among customers remains largely supportive of any reasonable adjustments.
The stall’s operational style, including cash-only transactions and multilingual customer interactions in Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, Hakka, and Malay, reflects regional cultural and linguistic diversity common in Selangor’s new villages and adjoining urban centres. The ability to serve a multicultural clientele with tailored food preferences demonstrates the intricate knowledge required to operate a longstanding food business in Malaysia’s competitive hawker scene.
Economic and Community Impact of Affordable Street Food Options in Kajang
In the short term, the presence of affordable and efficient food vendors such as Tan’s chicken rice stall contributes to stable morning market traffic and social cohesion within the Kajang area. The stall supports local vendors and the wet market ecosystem by attracting regular customers who also engage with other businesses nearby.
Long-term considerations include the sustainability of price points amid inflationary trends and the balance between vendor autonomy and business growth opportunities. While some operators may choose to expand by establishing permanent outlets or franchises, maintaining low prices and personalised service may prove more challenging under such models due to increased overheads.
Official information from local market management confirms that informal stalls like Tan’s continue to play a vital role in food accessibility but face pressures from urban development and changing consumer payment preferences. Authorities encourage food vendors to adapt while considering community needs and economic realities.
Location: Kajang
Date: 2025-12-16