SIM is just right beside Ngee Ann Polytechnic and I have gone to the canteen there to eat a few times. I find the prices in the canteen very subsidized and that's why many SIM students would go there to eat if they were having any long breaks. I usually eat the sliced fish mee sua, at a price of $2.80, it amazing value, of course you wouldn't expect fish slices as thick as Piao Ji (Amoy Street Food Centre) but you could just buy 2 bowls for the price of one outside.
Of course, you might say that schools have subsidized pricing and hence their food is cheaper than outside. However, growing up, I have been feeling the effects of inflation. Take chicken rice for example, my all time favourite dish. Previously, chicken rice (breast meat) would cost about $2-$2.50 but now it cost around $3-$4 at some places ......