Over the past five years, while overall consumer prices in South Korea rose by just over 10 percent, food-related prices surged more than 20 percent—driven largely by a sharp increase in dining-out costs, fueling what has become known as “lunchflation.” On June 15, a signboard stands outside a restaurant in Myeongdong, central Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 2 (Korea Bizwire) — Grabbing lunch in Seoul’s central business districts has become a significantly pricier affair, with Samseong-dong topping the list at ₩15,000 (approx. $11) per meal — the highest average in the greater Seoul area, according to new data released by NHN Payco.
The company analyzed 9 million transactions made through its mobile meal voucher service across 12 major business zones in the Seoul metropolitan area. The findings show that the average lunch cost in the first half of 2025 was ₩9,500, marking a 58% increase from ₩6,000 in 2017, when the service was launched.
Following Samseong-dong, the most expensive lunch areas include Gangnam (₩14,000), Yeouido and Seocho (₩13,000), Magok and Pangyo (₩12,000), and Songpa and Jongno (₩11,000). At the lower end, Guro and Gasan recorded average lunch costs of ₩10,000, while Gangdong and Dongdaemun came in at ₩9,000.
The average across all 12 office zones was ₩11,583, roughly ₩2,000 higher than the national average, reflecting the premium nature of dining options in business-heavy districts. Year-on-year, several areas — including Gangnam, Songpa, Jongno, and Guro — saw lunch prices climb by ₩1,000.
Payco’s data also highlighted a shift in consumption habits. A growing number of users are opting for delivery apps like Yogiyo, or purchasing ready-to-eat meals from convenience stores and bakeries such as CU, GS25, Paris Baguette, and café chains like Starbucks and Twosome Place.
A company spokesperson noted, “This data reflects not only rising food prices but also how lunch habits are diversifying. We plan to refine our corporate meal solutions based on these insights to better serve evolving workplace welfare needs.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
