RM0.10 Cent Per Wantan

For over 10 years, an octogenarian in Penang has managed to maintain the price of his wantan at 10 sen each. Gan Seng Lean, 83, who has been selling wantan mee since 1949, said he was keen to maintain the price of his wantan at 10 sen each and his wantan noodles at RM3 a plate.
“You cannot find any wantan seller who sells wantan at this price anymore, especially with the price hike in cooking essentials and groceries. But I am happy to maintain my wantan price at 10 sen each, as I only want to earn enough to support my wife and me,” he said when interviewed at his home in Jalan Lembah Permai, Tanjung Bungah yesterday.

"For my wife and I, we just want to do things to keep ourselves active. So we are not expecting a huge amount of customers or very good profits. We are happy as long as our customers are happy with the good and cheap food we are offering them,” he said.

Cheng said at times, their regular customers would make the noodles on their own and help wash the dishes after they finished their meals.

“Some of our regular customers visit so frequently that they know how to make the noodles. They would just come into our kitchen, toss the noodles and drain them on their own. After they finish eating, some would even wash their own plates as they want to help lighten our workload,” she said.

Student Yeoh Sue Yee, 18, and her three friends were among those who were seen helping themselves at Gan’s stall by packing the 45 wantans they bought.

“We just ate 10 wantans, and are now packing another 45 to bring back. I think it is right for us to help them as they are now old. We also do not mind the self-service. Besides, we do not know where else can we get 55 wantans for RM5.50,” quipped Yeoh.