The Original Vadai Opens KL Store, Owner Dedicates Shop To Mum Who Started Business

Singapore Brand The Original Vadai Opens Store In Bukit Bintang In KL

Those of us who’ve frequented pasar malams or bazaars would be familiar with The Original Vadai, a common fixture at such events, drawing crowds for its delicious vadais or prawn fritters.

The brand has since expanded its business significantly, with permanent stores across Singapore and a wider menu offering many exciting flavours.

Source: Google Maps

Now, the owner has taken it one step further — by opening a store in the heart of Kuala Lumpur (KL) in Malaysia.

The Original Vadai opens first store in KL

On Sunday (1 Oct), Singaporean brand The Original Vadai hosted the opening of its first-ever store in KL, Malaysia.

It was a grand affair, with celebrities like Singaporean actor Aaron Aziz, Malaysian actress Nabila Huda and Singaporean singer-songwriter Stephen Zechariah in attendance.

Source: The Original Vadai MY on Facebook

This was rightfully so, as the event marked a monumental achievement for the company with humble beginnings.

Owner’s mother struggled to make ends meet selling vadai

In a Facebook post on 2 Oct reflecting on the event, business owner Stephen Suriyah dedicated the achievement to his mother, who first started the business.

According to him, she used to make vadai for a stall at a bazaar some 20 or more years ago for just S$50 a day.

Working behind the scenes, the stall owners allegedly ended up taking credit for the food she made. Nevertheless, she persisted, spending S$10 to S$15 from what she earned each day on ingredients for the next batch of food.

Due to the circumstances, Mr Suriyah said that “finances were really bad”. But because of her passion, his mother kept doing what she loved.

Took over business & made it successful

Unable to bear seeing his mother in such a state, Mr Suriyah eventually convinced her to step aside and let him take over.

Despite facing stiff competition at local pasar malams, they stayed true to their recipe and gained a following, as customers learnt their name and identified them as “the original vadai”.

Source: The Original Vadai on Facebook

Over time, the business became so successful that Mr Suriyah began opening brick-and-mortar outlets across Singapore.

Now, they have about 10 stores islandwide, including at popular locations like Jewel Changi Airport and Geylang Serai Market.

Customers who don’t have time to visit the stores can even order online.

New store opening a bittersweet moment

Looking at how far they’ve come, opening the newest store in KL was thus a bittersweet moment for Mr Suriyah.

To mark the milestone, he let his mother take the reins at the opening ceremony, where she expertly made vadai with her bare hands while donning a saree.

Lucky attendees got to try the very first batch made with love by the woman who inspired and started The Original Vadai. Perhaps emotional upon reflecting on the event, Mr Suriyah wrote,

If you happen to be in KL and would like to visit the store, here’s how you can find it:

The Original Vadai @ Lot 10Address: Lot 10 Bukit Bintang, LTC/T8, Bintang Terrace, 50, Jln Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaOpening hours: 11am – 8pm dailyNearest monorail station: Imbi

Congratulations on the achievement

Mr Suriyah told BERITAMediacorp that he decided to open at Bukit Bintang as it’s like the Orchard Road of KL, where many shoppers go.

During the opening on 1 Oct, they distributed 5,000 vadais for people to try, to positive feedback.

Should the store succeed, he aims to open two to three more outlets in the Malaysian city.

Here’s wishing The Original Vadai all the best and congratulations on the new opening.

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Featured image adapted from KL Foodie on Facebook and The Original Vadai on Facebook.