Family member who was a chicken rice seller earned 20k a month. But he used to wake up at 4am, spent 3-4 hours deep frying his chickens and prepare other dishes so he could start his business at 11am. He sold around 50 chickens a day. Very tough work, and he quited his business after 10 years, even though it's highly profitable, because of long working hours.

Family friend who sold Chrysanthemum tea (leong cha) by a nearby tourist centre sold around 400 glasses a day. Cost's negligible, and monthly profit easily more than 10k. Location matters.

Friend who sold duck meat koay teow soup selling around 300 bowls a day by the roadside. Earns around 20k a month. All his family members refuse to take up the father's job because of heat, dirt and smell. They prefer to work in the factory for 80% less.

I guess, if you make a dish and willing to work hard and tolerate the not-so-office-job environment. You make heaps working as a hawker. It's just that the 'job prestige' is not there.

In Penang.