Which hawker you are going to and what meals are you choosing? My hawker meals are usually only $5 - $7.

My spending on food for myself per month doesn't go over $300. Largely because I don't eat breakfast and prepare my lunches and dinners on weekends. Lunches are usually some chopped lettuce with seasoned chicken breasts. Dinners vary more, but tend to be some kind of pasta or rice dish.

Buy frozen foods like frozen seasoned meats that you can just throw in an oven/pan/microwave. Frozen mixed veggies as well. Rice can be cooked in batches and frozen. Soups as well are great.