In night markets around Klang Valley, amidst the aromatic haze of sizzling satay and fried radish cake, there is a humble stall that stands out not just for its ridiculously affordable prices, but also for the skillful hands of its charming and handsome proprietor.
Meet Lau Wai Lun, a young Malaysian man whose RM1 sushi stall has become a sensation across five different night markets.
A taste of Japan
The stall is called 一元寿司 which directly translates to RM1 sushi. Wai Lun’s journey into the world of sushi began unexpectedly during his time in Japan.
He lived there for nearly 7 years, where he picked up the art of sushi-making. Honing his skills meticulously, he learnt how to master a delicate balance of flavours as well as the precise technique required to create good Japanese sushi.
Upon returning to Malaysia, armed with a newfound expertise and a passion for making sushi, Wai Lun decided to launch his own modest sushi venture. Setting up his stall with a cloth banner that reads 一元寿司 he introduced locals to a taste of Japan at prices that were impossible to resist.
He humbly admitted that he did not expect his sushi stall to be so successful. From the day of his debut, Wai Lun has consistently, completely sold out within two hours of setting up. If you don’t go early, you’ll be met with empty trays.
Variety of RM1 sushi
The star of his menu is his octopus sushi (RM1). A fresh and saucy creation that has captured the palates of his customers. It is sweet and chewy, and filled generously with baby octopus. If you want to get your hands on his bestseller, make sure you’re there when he’s setting up his stall.
All his sushi is priced attractively between RM1 to RM4 per piece. He has traditional favourites like tamago sushi to innovative variations like his prawn tempura inari sushi with cheese. The latter was nearly sold out by the time we got to his stall, with only one piece left.
Wai Lun has experimented with his sushi, incorporating Malaysian flavours in some of them. He has come up with his own specialty sauces like his cheese sauce and spicy sauce.
On a daily basis, before heading to the night market he’s setting up shop at, Wai Lun begins his conscientious preparation. With precision and care, he crafts between 200 to 300 pieces of fresh sushi, ensuring that every piece is utter perfection.
When you walk up to his stall, you will find four trays of colourful sushi, neatly arranged and separated according to price. As pretty as it is to see all that sushi lined perfectly on the tray, you have to be quick about taking your picks, otherwise you may end up leaving empty-handed.
Location
For now, this RM1 sushi stall can be found at 5 particular night markets: SS2 Night Market, Kang Le Night Market, OUG Night Market, Leisure Mall Night Market, and Setia Alam Night Market.
Beyond his culinary capabilities, Wai Lun’s charm and good looks have also garnered some attention, earning him a regular following of customers. They return not only for the sushi but also for the experience of interacting with the charismatic young man. You can often hear customers calling out to him, “Lengzai Lengzai.”
MFT’s Review
We left the ordering to the capable hands of Wai Lun who carefully placed four pieces of sushi in a box for us, remarking with a smile that he will give us the last prawn tempura inari sushi.
Tamago Sushi (RM2): Sweet and fluffy egg. 7/10
Unagi Sushi (RM3): Moist and well-seasoned unagi. 9/10
Mix Crab & Octopus Inari Sushi (RM4): Generously stuffed and super saucy, but not in an overwhelming way. Delicious. 8/10
Prawn Tempura Sushi (RM4): Sells out so quickly for a reason. Crispy batter and prawn was not rubbery or overcooked. Just the right amount of sauce. 10/10
These days, without breaking the bank, indulging in quality sushi is no picnic. Creating high-quality sushi at such affordable prices and selling them at night markets is a genius endeavour. It is no wonder that Wai Lun’s humble stall is thriving. For that reason, and because his sushi is worth every ringgit spent.
For now, amidst the vibrant nightlife of these five night markets, Wai Lun’s RM1 sushi stall continues to shine and sell-out. As long as there are eager patrons craving affordable and delicious sushi, his stall will undoubtedly remain a standout amongst regulars and curious passersby alike.
Locations: SS2 Night Market, Kang Le Night Market, OUG Night Market, Leisure Mall Night Market, Setia Alam Night Market
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