Flying can be quite a boring experience, and some people really appreciate and even look forward(?!) being served a hot meal on a short flight after a long day of getting to the airport and boarding the plane. Granted it doesn't apply as much to people blessed with lounge access, but there are still many who refuse to pay airport food prices and skip whatever meal they should be having.

That said, I find that a meal on a flight between HKG-TPE isn't 100% necessary, but always a very great option to have (even if the food isn't very good).