The owner of this vegetarian spot in KL believes in giving back, selling meals at only RM2

In the heart of KL, a humble vegetarian eatery has been gaining attention thanks to the owner’s commitment to community welfare, and his dedication to offering cheap vegetarian meals. Meet Richard So, 64, who has made it his mission to serve wholesome, nutritious meals at an astonishingly low price. It’s also to help make meals accessible to everyone, reflecting the owner’s deep belief in the power of giving back to the community.

Image Credit: Ilamaran Ramamoorthy on Google Review

For 16 years, V Fortune Land Vegetarian Cafe has been serving cheap vegetarian meals at a shocking RM2 which includes a choice of three vegetarian dishes, served with rice. Yes, you read that right. We were equally surprised when we first heard about this spot.

Uncle with a heart of gold

Mr.So and a few of his relatives founded this restaurant years ago. However, it is mostly Mr.So who handles daily operations, ensuring that the eatery continues to uphold its aim of embodying a spirit of community generosity.

His family owns a chain of over 70 shoe stores and has always implemented the practice of giving back to the community. Thus, Mr.So remains dedicated to this initiative, which has, over the years, grown from serving about 100 people daily to nearly 1,000.

Even during challenging times like the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr.So remained committed to maintaining the RM2 price point.

Despite being in his mid-sixties, he personally makes the daily trip to the market, selecting and purchasing the necessary ingredients. He likes to take advantage of lower prices from vendors, opting for seasonal vegetables to manage costs effectively. In an interview with The Star, Mr.So affirmed, “The RM2 mixed rice will continue for as long as I can manage.” It is inspiring to see his unwavering resolve shining through his actions and words, as he continues to offer affordable meals to the community.

Maintaining business sustainability

Yet, a heart of gold is not enough to keep the business afloat. In the early days, Mr.So would make personal contributions from his shoe store earnings, to keep the eatery running. However, he soon realised that these subsidies were rather unsustainable. Making a firm and selfless decision, he took over operations himself.

To lighten financial burdens, the restaurant now encourages customers to bring their own tupperwares, charging an additional 50 cents for those who do not. Some generous patrons also contribute through donations to help sustain the restaurant’s cause.

The current revenue is just enough to cover the salaries of the five employees.

Daily free meal distribution & RM2 meals

Image Credit: YJ Eng on Google Review, (left), 你别问 (right)

The restaurant operates daily as early as 8am to prepare the dishes. These are continuously replenished until about 2pm to avoid food wastage.

It was surprising to learn that Mr So, who never actually knew how to cook, is the chef at this vegetarian restaurant. However, he never considered giving up, expecting nothing in return.

At 10am every day, Mr So distributes free meal boxes in limited quantities, with each individual permitted to take up to two boxes until they’ve run out.

The eatery currently boasts a 4.6-star rating on Google reviews. Customers highlight that despite being cheap vegetarian meals, the food quality and taste are good and the portions are generous.