RECENTLY featured on the Foodie Facebook (FB) forum is a roadside stall offering home cooked bryiani and Indian dishes that has gotten netizen’s tongues wagging.
Taste buds aside which is pretty subjective, it is the pricing that has gotten quite a few commenters’ knickers in a knot.
A fiery debate erupted over the RM35 price tag with many commenters claimed that this is way too much.
However, many also defended the vendor given that the person filming the clip had requested for three proteins – mutton and two chicken dishes plus the usual condiments of boiled egg, thairu (yogurt) and brinjal (which was part of the set).
They pointed out that very few customers would ever order that much food at one go and that the video was for the benefit of the site’s FB followers.
Dubbed “Midnight Bryiani”, the roadside stall located at Jalan Telawi in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur is probably designed to appeal to the late supper crowd as well as hungry boozers alighting from the many bars and taverns in the vicinity.
Quite a few did say they were too “poor” to afford RM35 bryiani.
With some pointing to the lack of overheads that should help make the food slightly cheaper.
While others sought to disagree, contending that it was quite reasonable for the amount of food being piled on the plate. The fact that it was an after-hours operation was also highlighted, perhaps contributing to the “extra” charge.
They further highlighted the cost of the raw materials which are not cheap these days, especially with the use of not the usual basmati rice but “the so-called Seeraga Samba rice”.
One netizen who suggested a price of RM15 was met with incredulity with some asking her to highlight which shop served such portions for such prices.
Of course, the halal status of the stall was brought up.
With one seeking to allays concerns of the stall by claiming that the proprietor was a school friend who knew the do’s and don’ts pertaining to Muslims’ sensitivity.
But another commenter sought to exercise caution as halal goes beyond just absence of pork/lard. It extends to the use of cooking utensils and cleanliness in food preparation.
At the end of the say, a few netizens asked why the big brouhaha? If you can afford it and feel the food justifies the price, go right ahead. Absolutely no one is forcing anybody to dine at this stall.
FocusM wishes this young man all the very best in his endeavours and kudos for trying to be inventive by going after late crowd. – Dec 18, 2024
SS Bryiani Rasika Suvaika is available at No. 1, Jalan Telawi, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.
