How much do you usually spend on food in a day? For one Indonesian living in Malaysia, the answer is just RM5 and his video showing how he pulls it off has left netizens both shocked and impressed.
RM5 survival meals
Hakim, a 20-year-old from Indonesia who works part-time in Malaysia, recently went viral on TikTok after showing how he survives on a shoestring budget.
In the 57-second clip, he revealed that RM5 was all he needed to prepare three meals for an entire day.
Armed with a small stove and a few cheap ingredients, Hakim bought a block of tofu, some vegetables, and a handful of spices.
He then cooked up a simple soup, stir-fried kangkung, and a soy sauce tofu dish to pair with rice. What looked like a modest spread was carefully divided into three full meals.
“RM5 for three meals, definitely worth it,” he wrote proudly.
From struggle to viral fame
The video quickly struck a chord with Malaysians.
Within a day, it racked up more than 600,000 likes, 47,000 comments, and over 3.3 million views.
@hakimm_60 Bajet rm5 bisa makan 3x🤩#tkimalaysia🇲🇾🇮🇩 #minivlog #masakansimple #hakim #fyp ♬ rasa ini vierra piano – Lyn 🤍
Many were amazed at how Hakim managed to stretch his budget so far, especially at a time when food prices are rising.
Some netizens praised his resourcefulness and discipline, noting that his meals still looked balanced with protein from tofu, fibre from vegetables, and carbohydrates from rice.
Others, however, couldn’t help but compare it to their own expenses, joking that RM5 nowadays can barely cover breakfast at a mamak stall.
Comments poured in such as: “One meal outside already costs me RM20” and “If I want to add just one egg, the budget confirm burst.”
Why he lives this way
In the comments, Hakim explained that his frugality isn’t just for fun.
He said that after covering his daily expenses in Malaysia, most of his earnings are sent back home to support his family.
His simple RM5 meals are part of a bigger sacrifice, one that many migrant workers quietly make while living far from home.
While Hakim’s video was lighthearted, many viewers pointed out the deeper reality it reflected.
For countless migrant workers and students in Malaysia, survival often means extreme budgeting, simple meals, and constant sacrifices.
