Office workers head to a restaurant near Seoul City Hall for lunch on April 14, 2022. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 18 (Korea Bizwire) — The relaxation of virus curbs and the rapidly increasing cost of eating out are bringing changes to the lunchtime culture for office workers.
A survey conducted by market researcher Embrain Trend Monitor of 1,000 office workers between 19 and 59 years old revealed that 50.8 percent of the respondents (multiple answers possible) said they still have lunch at an in-house cafeteria, while 50.1 percent said they have lunch at outside restaurants.
The share of those who order delivery food for lunch declined to 14.8 percent this year from 29.7 percent in 2021, while the share of those having takeout food for lunch fell to 9 percent from 18.3 percent during the same period.
These figures are similar to the numbers recorded in 2020, indicating that lunchtime culture is returning to the pre-COVID-19 period.
As the price of eating out continues to rise in recent days, the number of those who feel burdened by higher lunch prices is increasing.
The average lunch price has shot up to 9,000 won (US$6.82) this year from 7,000 won in 2020.
Accordingly, 43.5 percent of workers said they sometimes have simple meals for lunch or skip lunch altogether, and 32.6 percent of workers reported skipping lunch altogether.
Another 37.2 percent of workers replied that they eat dessert after lunch, but 30.7 percent said they don’t.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
