What's the matter?

Hawker food is poking larger holes in your pocket. A poll of some 500 hawker stalls released by Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) yesterday reported a 10 to 20 per cent hike while the Department of Statistics consumer price index for hawker food has risen by more than 2 per cent, more than twice that of fast food, from 2011 to 2013.

Who will be affected?

The average Singaporean, especially those in the lower income group.

Why like that?

There are several reasons, namely:

1. Rental costs

First generation hawkers, those relocated from the streets in the early 1970s, enjoy a subsidised rate:

Source

If they choose to retire, they are allowed to transfer the stalls to their immediate family members, who continue to enjoy the same subsidised rate.

New hawkers, however, don't enjoy such rates. They have to bid for a stall in a government tender and rental rates are dependent on the popularity and location of the hawker centres.

The latest provisional results showed that rental rates can hit as high as $3,119.

2. Lack of manpower

Last year's tightening of labour laws made it harder for hawkers to find help.

3. Labour costs

They need to dangle higher salaries to attract locals, who may not want to work OT and during weekends.

How much does hawker food cost then and now?

How to overcome this problem?

Hawkers might have to source for cheaper ingredients. Another way is for the government to give subsidised rental rates for all types of hawkers.

Where can I find cheap hawker food?

According to CASE, these are the five stalls to get cheap kosong prata:

1. 70 cents. Anis Muslim Food, Bukit Merah Central Food Centre, Unit #02-25.

2. 80 cents. Lavender 803 Food House, Unit #01-146.

3. 80 cents. Syed Restaurant, Blk 292 Yishun Street 22, Unit #01-295.

4. 80 cents. SSR Indian Muslim Food. Blk 272 Bukit Batok East Ave 4, Unit#01-56.

5. 80 cents. Ali Khan Restaurant Pte Ltd, Boon Lay 221 Food House, Boon Lay Shopping Centre and Blk 221 Boon Lay Place #01-01.

And here are the five stalls to get cheap chye png (two veg, one meat):

1. $2.30. Silver Spoon Coffee Shop, Blk 293 Yishun Street 22, Unit #01-261.

2. $2.30. Tian Seng Mixed Veg Rice/Porridge, Blk 130 Jurong East Street 13, Unit #01-211.

3. $2.50. Fei Zai Mixed Vegetable Rice Porridge, Maxwell Food Centre, Unit #01-03.

4. $2.50. Yeo Chuan Huat Food Centre, Blk 505 Tampines Central 1, Unit #01-351/353.

5. $2.50. Delicious Cooked Food, Kallang Estate Fresh Market & Food Centre, Unit #01-07.

Click here to find other cheap dishes.

Top photo from here. 

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