[Graphic News] Traditional low-cost foods see price spike again in Q2

Food and beverage products that are traditionally considered to be low-cost choices when eating out have seen a price spike in the second quarter of this year, according to Statistics Korea.

The largest increase was in the price of soju, which leaped 12.5 percent relative to last year. This is the second consecutive quarter in which soju has seen the biggest on-year price jump.

Other popular foods when eating out such as gimbap and ramen have also risen significantly. Gimbap prices rose 5.2 percent on year, while ramen rose 3.6 percent.

Of the 38 food products surveyed by Statistics Korea, only the price of school lunches and Korean teas fell compared to last year.

Although the overall inflation rate for the second quarter was 0.9 percent, the inflation rate for prices of dine-out products was 2.5 percent. This is the seventh consecutive quarter in which the price of food served at restaurants rose faster than overall inflation.