Big demand for lunch box or packed meals during hard times.
By Foong Pek Yee
They call it lunchflation in South Korea – meaning
expensive lunch amid soaring inflation.
Office workers in particular head to convenience stores instead of restaurants for lunch these days.
Convenience stores offer many types of ready-to-eat meals to meet customers’ preference, and budget.
The stores provide microwave ovens for them to heat up their packed meals on the spot.
Earlier this week, Arirang News reported a steep climb on monthly sales of lunch box in convenience stores in South Korea since January.
A simple meal: But dine- in can be expensive for many South Koreans of late.
According to Arirang News, popular meals like kimbap (rice rolls) and jjajangmyeon (noodles in thick sauce) in restaurants saw a 9.1% price increase each in the first half of this year, on a year on year basis.
A roll of kimbap used to cost about 2,500 won (RM8.50) before and, customers usually order two rolls at least.
Said to be the cheapest item in restaurants , kimbap often comes with a bowl of soup and one or two types of banchan (side dish) for each customer.
While almost all Korean restaurants provide plain water, some even include coffee free of charge and, the complimentary items are free flow.
A common one pot meal like kimchi chigae (kimchee stew) for one person and comes with about three types of banchan (side dish) used to cost about 8,000 won or RM27.
I was told that the price has gone up to about 10,000 won (RM34) recently,
No longer affordable: Many eat kimbap as a snack when spending is not a concern.
Airang News also highlighted that online sales for quick and easy food items went up by 50% to 70% in the second quarter compared to the first quarter this year alone.
And the current situation is not expected to change any time soon.
