Ex-carpenter carves niche as vegetarian food seller in Sentul

Ramesh (below) serves several types of meatless burgers and vegetarian satay at his stall.

IN Sentul, a vegetarian stall is delighting foodies with its meatless take on the burger and satay.

The brains behind the operation is V. Ramesh, 53, a former carpenter turned food entrepreneur who has successfully carved a niche for himself in dishing up meatless delights in Bandar Baru, Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.

He is now thriving in his new career with the help of his wife V. Vasugi, 48, and three sons.

“I started small at Batu Caves during Thaipusam and the response was overwhelming.

“That’s when I realised there was a demand for vegetarian fast-food,” he said.

Encouraged by the positive feedback, he took the plunge and opened a burger stall to address the lack of vegetarian options in the area.

The popularity of his vegetarian burger has extended beyond Sentul, attracting food lovers from as far away as Johor, Pahang and Melaka.

Ramesh, who is a vegetarian himself, offers vegetarian street food such as burgers and satay.

Notably, his stall distinguishes itself by omitting even onions and garlic from its dishes, catering to a broad spectrum of dietary preferences, including dairy-free delights for vegans.

On weekends, the stall sizzles with a hive of orders, serving an impressive 150 to 200 burgers.

The star attraction is the vegetarian satay, served with a homemade peanut curry (kuah kacang). The stall sells over 400 sticks daily.

Ramesh and his wife ensure authenticity by preparing the sauce fresh each day.

“I enjoy running my business because I get to serve the public the essence of a roadside burger, but with a vegetarian twist, a rarity in our neighbourhood,” he said.

The stall has limited seating options, but the space is appreciated by those who wish to enjoy the food when it is freshly made.

There are several burgers on the menu, including the Cheezy Chicken (RM5.50), Burger Double Special (RM7) and Vege Chicken (RM4).

My first bite into the Burger Double Special was a sensory delight with its juicy, tender patty and nutty goodness, complemented by fresh ingredients including tomato, red cabbage, lettuce and cheese, topped with a dressing.

The Vegetarian Satay, priced at RM6, has tender, flavourful mock chicken paired with an authentic peanut sauce.

Grilled over charcoal, the satay was tasty, with a nice, smoky char.

Five sticks of satay at the stall cost RM6.

The Sentul Vegetarian Burger and Satay stall operates from 6.30pm to 11.30pm, Thursday to Tuesday.

On the weekend, the operating hours are from 6.30pm to 1.30am. The stall is closed on Wednesdays.

It is located at No.2/48A, Bandar Baru Sentul, Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, in front of the Arulmigu Sri Maha Agni Muniswarar Temple.