Catering for 100 Pax in Malaysia: What It Really Costs in 2026

Catering for 100 pax in KL and Selangor costs roughly RM1,750 for bento boxes, RM2,000 for a tea break, RM2,300 for a kenduri-style buffet and RM4,500 for a corporate buffet. Those are totals at the typical published price for each format. Add 6% SST if the caterer is registered for it, and a delivery charge.

The spread is wide because "catering" covers very different things. A packed nasi lemak box and a staffed buffet line with chafing dishes are both catering, and the second can cost two and a half times the first. This guide breaks down what 100 guests cost in each format, what 50 and 200 cost, and the charges that turn up after the per-pax price.

How much does catering for 100 pax cost?

Multiply the typical price per pax by 100. The entry figure is the median of each caterer's cheapest menu for that format, which is where most budget orders land. Some caterers go lower still.

• Bento and meal boxes: about RM1,750. Typical RM17.50 per pax; entry menus around RM13, so about RM1,300 for 100 boxes.
• Tea break or hi-tea: about RM2,000. Typical RM20 per pax; entry menus around RM18, and a few simple sets start under RM10.
• Kenduri or wedding-style buffet: about RM2,300. Typical RM23 per pax; entry packages around RM14, so about RM1,400 for 100 guests.
• Corporate buffet: about RM4,500. Typical RM45 per pax; entry menus around RM32, so about RM3,200 for 100 guests.

Kenduri packages look cheap next to corporate buffets because they are built for volume. Caterers price them for hundreds of guests, with rice-based menus and self-service. The median minimum order for a wedding or kenduri package is 100 guests. Corporate buffets usually add more dishes, dessert, drinks and a staffed setup.

Catering for 50, 100 and 200 pax: quick totals

Same typical prices, three guest counts. Use these as a starting budget, then check the minimum order before you get attached to a format.

• 50 pax: bento RM875, tea break RM1,000, kenduri buffet RM1,150, corporate buffet RM2,250.
• 100 pax: bento RM1,750, tea break RM2,000, kenduri buffet RM2,300, corporate buffet RM4,500.
• 200 pax: bento RM3,500, tea break RM4,000, kenduri buffet RM4,600, corporate buffet RM9,000.

Per-pax prices often fall as the guest count rises, so treat the 200 pax figures as a ceiling. One Shah Alam caterer's published kenduri package drops from RM19.50 per pax at 100 guests to RM15 at 200 and RM10.50 at 500.

Does 100 pax mean 100 people?

Yes. Pax means persons, so 100 pax is food for 100 guests. For packed meals it is exact: 100 pax is 100 boxes. For a buffet, the caterer portions the trays for the number you order, and people help themselves, so a buffet can run short if more guests arrive than you ordered for.

• Order for your confirmed headcount, not the invitation list.
• Ask whether the buffet quantity includes any margin, and what a top-up costs on the day.
• Ask how children are charged. Some caterers count them as full pax, some do not.
• For quantities by dish, see how much food to order for 20, 50 and 100 guests.

The costs on top of the per-pax price

The per-pax price is rarely the whole bill. These are the extras we found on caterers' own websites.

• SST. Food and beverage services, catering included, carry 6% service tax when the caterer is registered, which applies once its sales pass RM1.5 million a year. Only 7 of the 31 caterers we checked say their prices exclude SST. The other 24 do not mention SST at all, so ask.
• Delivery or transport. Only 8 of 31 caterers publish a delivery charge. Their lowest charges run from RM30 to RM200, with a median of RM52.50, and go up with distance.
• Setup and staff. One Petaling Jaya caterer charges RM150 per buffet line for setup and from RM160 per service staff. Another adds RM100 per counter setup. A third charges from RM200 per floor at venues without a lift.
• Deposit. The median deposit is 50% of the bill. 2 of the 10 caterers that state a deposit want full payment before the event.

Put together, a 100-pax corporate buffet at RM45 becomes RM4,770 with SST, plus delivery, and you would pay about RM2,385 up front as a 50% deposit.

Minimum orders are rarely a problem at 100 pax

At 100 guests you clear almost every caterer's minimum order. Below that, your options narrow fast, especially for buffets and kenduri packages.

• Buffets: all 15 caterers that state a minimum accept 100 guests. Only 10 of them accept 50.
• Kenduri or wedding packages: 9 of 12 accept 100 guests. Only 3 accept 50.
• Tea breaks: all 9 accept 100. 8 accept 50.
• Bento and meal boxes: 10 of 11 take orders of 30 or fewer, and 4 take orders for 10.

Cooking for a smaller group? Meal boxes are the easiest route. See mini catering for 10 to 30 pax.

Halal catering for 100 pax

If your event needs halal certification, check it rather than assume it. Of the 31 caterers we checked, 6 show evidence of JAKIM halal certification on their website. Another 11 describe their food as halal without showing a certificate. That does not mean they are not certified, only that you need to ask for the certificate and check it.

Here is how to check a caterer's halal certificate in a few minutes. On GatherPlate, the Halal certified badge only appears after our team verifies the vendor's certificate. You can browse halal catering directly.

How far ahead to book for 100 guests

Among the 16 caterers that state a notice period, the median is 5 days, and half need 3 days or less for standard orders. Wedding caterers are the exception: one asks for six months. For 100 guests, two weeks ahead is a comfortable margin, and more on Saturdays in wedding season or near festive holidays.

Prices are advertised list prices published by caterers in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, collected on 24 September 2026 for the [GatherPlate Catering Price Index](/catering/prices), where the full method, sources and downloadable data are published. They are a guide for budgeting, not a quotation.

Frequently asked questions

How much is catering for 100 pax in Malaysia?

In KL and Selangor, about RM1,750 for bento boxes, RM2,000 for a tea break, RM2,300 for a kenduri-style buffet and RM4,500 for a corporate buffet, at typical published prices in September 2026. Add 6% SST if the caterer is registered, plus delivery.

Is catering cheaper per person for 200 pax than for 100?

Often, yes. Many kenduri and wedding packages are priced in tiers. One Shah Alam caterer lists RM19.50 per pax at 100 guests and RM15 at 200. Fixed costs like delivery and setup are also spread over more people.

Does 100 pax catering feed 100 people?

Yes, one pax is one person. Packed meals are exact. Buffets are portioned for the number ordered, so order for your confirmed headcount and ask the caterer what a top-up costs.

Do caterers in Malaysia charge SST?

Caterers registered for service tax charge 6% on food and beverage services. Registration is required once a business's taxable sales pass RM1.5 million a year, so many smaller caterers do not charge it. Most caterer websites do not say either way, so confirm before you pay.

How much deposit do caterers ask for?

Usually half. The median deposit among caterers that publish one is 50%, and 2 of 10 ask for full payment before the event.