By Yasmin Abdul Latif
Hanie鈥檚 Caf茅 offers RM7-per-plate meals where customers are free to take as many side dishes as they want.SUNGAI BULOH: A plate of rice with as many side dishes as you like for just RM7? It may sound unlikely, but Hanie鈥檚 Caf茅 offers just that 鈥 a blessing for those who are struggling in the face of economic challenges.Operating for the past 15 years in Sungai Buloh, this eatery benefits the underprivileged and B40 group, in particular, by adopting the idea of 鈥渢ake as much as you like鈥 for a fixed price.Proprietor Darish Hanie, 47, said she established the RM7-per-plate concept after the Movement Control Order (MCO) in 2021, during which she herself underwent tough times.鈥淎fter the MCO, life was very difficult for us. But I thought, if I was struggling, others might be struggling even more. That鈥檚 when I was inspired to think of a way to save the business while helping people,鈥 she told FMT.Originally from Gua Musang in Kelantan, Darish expressed that she deeply understands the value of a meal 鈥 even a modest one 鈥 having grown up in a frugal family and needing to sharing food with her many siblings.Darish Hanie.鈥淗ere, I want everyone to eat until they鈥檙e full without worrying about the cost. Customers can take as much rice and dishes as they can fit on a plate, with no limit and at no extra charge,鈥 said Darish, who runs the business with her family.Asked about profits, Darish said she constantly monitors the price of raw ingredients and adjusts her dishes based on affordability. For example, if chicken or fish is too expensive, she substitutes them with vegetables or cheaper ingredients.鈥淕od gave me the ability to cook, so I diversify my recipes even when I use the same ingredients, so my customers still have options,鈥 she explained.Darish said the satisfaction she gets from helping the less fortunate encourages her to keep going.To curb wastefulness, customers are charged double if they do not finish their food.鈥淥nce, a customer came with five children and they shared one plate. After eating, they thanked me. I can鈥檛 help them financially, but I can through my cooking,鈥 she added.Hanie鈥檚 Caf茅, which also specialises in Thai food, is packed from as early as 11am and continues to receive a steady flow of customers until 2pm 鈥 and sometimes, all the way until closing time at 6pm.Customer Yatimin, 41, said the RM7 price is very reasonable, especially for families with low incomes.鈥淓lsewhere, I鈥檇 probably spend RM30 to RM40 just for myself, my wife and two kids. So for us in the B40 group, this really helps,鈥 said the private-hospital employee.Retiree Shaiful Hilmi Sha鈥檃ri, 54, said such efforts should be emulated by other vendors, even if not done daily.鈥淚f they can do it once a week or once a month, that alone would be enough as a charitable act,鈥 said the Klang resident.Hanie鈥檚 Caf茅27, Jalan BRP1/5,Bukit Rahman Putra,47000 Sg Buloh, SelangorBusiness hours: 11am-6pm daily (closed on Sundays)Contact: 017-315 7784Follow Hanie鈥檚 Caf茅 on Instagram.