Couple Keeps Wantan Price At 10 Sen

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Good eats: Gan (top left) and Cheng preparing wantan at their stall in Tanjung Bungah
GEORGE TOWN: 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
Yeoh (left) and her friends enjoying their helping of wantan mee and wantans
Gan’s wife, Cheng Kooi Lan, 80, said she was hoping for both of them to retire but Gan wanted to continue as he loved making wantan noodles
“I was initially reluctant to continue doing this, as we are both old and move very slow due to our bodily aches and joint pains
“But Gan loves his work so much. It pains me to see him working so hard so I decided to support and help him in his passion,” she 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
Yeoh and her friends, Phuah Yi Wen, Tan Yao Jun and Tan Chin Qi, all 18, said they were happy to find the cheapest wantan noodles near Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, where they are studying
“Now we can always visit for cheap and good wantan noodles,” said Yao Jun, adding that they only paid about RM17 for four bowls of wantan noodles and 55 wantans
Gan operates his stall at his house at Jalan Lembah Permai from 10am to 10pm daily.-Star

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