AT A time when food prices are rising while salaries are about the same, people have every reason to lament as they struggle to live life.
It is said when the price of things go up, they rarely go down, becoming the new normal. Anyone who wants to eat for cheap will inexorably take up cooking as a skill.
But not all heroes wear capes. Some heroes rise from a humble coffee shop, or “gerai” by the road, never raising their prices because food is more than just service. Food is also a charity.
Take it from Kedai Kak Tie Mee Celup Dua Amah where customers can find meals at a whooping RM1 only. One can only wonder how the owner, Aminah Awang, 58 , is able to make a profit.
According to halalfoodiemy who brought her incredible story to light, it has been a decade since she raised the price of her food.
Among the RM1 items on offer are mee soup, bihun soup, kuetiau soup, rice in broth, grilled sausages, ABC and the sweetcorn iced drink.
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Other options are also available, including chopped chicken rice, Nasi Bujang and curry-flavoured instant noodles, priced between RM2 and RM3.
For Aminah, this is more than just running a business. It is also a way of sharing her blessings with the community.
News portal Berita Harian reported that Aminah started her business in 2016 after closing down her grocery store.
She said the idea of selling dishes for RM1 was initiated by her second child, Ku Nur Ainna Atiera, 31, who wanted to provide affordable food options for children and students in the village, especially after school hours.
Despite being sold at a low price, she said every serving is still fully prepared, complete with mustard greens and chicken meat, to ensure customers enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal.
Rising raw material costs did not prevent her from maintaining those prices, as she sourced supplies at lower rates from local suppliers and managed operating costs prudently.
The shop, which operates from Sunday to Thursday between 12 pm and 7 pm, sells between 200 and 250 bowls of the dish daily and attracts customers not only from Kelantan but also from Johor and Kuala Lumpur.—July 24, 2026
Main image: Kak Ti Mee Celup Dua Amah (Facebook)
