As the cost of raw ingredients continues to rise, a local hawker is still offering set meals at just RM5 in hopes of helping the community manage increasing living expenses.
The hawker, 57-year-old Anor Selarat, previously worked as a chef in Singapore’s shipping industry. Two years ago, he set up a food stall in Kampung Bendahara, Johor Bahru.
His stall operates daily from 8am to 6pm, except on Fridays when it is closed.
The RM5 set meal offers around 40 dishes to choose from. Each set includes rice, vegetables, and a choice of side dishes such as chicken or fish, along with two drinks—tea and iced syrup (sirap ais).
Customers can enjoy free refills of rice, and new dishes are added every two hours.
According to a report by Bernama, Anor Selarat, who hails from Penang, has been living in Johor for 20 years. He said his parents taught him to be generous and helpful, which inspired him to run the stall with a strong sense of purpose.
In an interview, he emphasized that he is not solely driven by profit, but hopes people from all walks of life can enjoy affordable meals. Despite rising costs, he has maintained the RM5 pricing.
He admitted that while the business is still profitable, the margins are lower compared to other food operators.
“I also promote my stall through TikTok, which has helped attract customers from other areas,” he said.
During last year’s Ramadan, he also introduced a RM20 breaking-fast set that included six dishes, enough to serve two to three people.
Customers Praise Value and Generosity
Customers have expressed appreciation, noting that Anor Selarat understands the public’s needs amid rising living costs.
One regular customer, Mohamad Yaz (43), said it is rare to find such affordable and good-quality food in Johor Bahru, where a typical lunch elsewhere can cost RM10 to RM15, excluding drinks—and without free rice refills.
Another customer, Azcha (36), said he discovered the stall through TikTok.
He added that the wide and constantly expanding variety of dishes makes it excellent value for money, especially for working adults.
