Why do Western / Japanese / Korean food seem to always cost more than Chinese / Malay / Indian food at hawker centres and food court?

Western and Japanese food usually costs more because people see them as special treats rather than everyday meals, allowing stalls to charge a higher "premium." Plus, these dishes often use bigger portions of meat and expensive seasonings, whereas local food focuses more on affordable rice and noodles.

I think more of the market rate. The meat they use are all the same for hawker centre. But i think indian food is the most expensive. Same price as chinese but the portion is like feeding ants.