"Lunch Is Too Expensive, So I Skip Meals": Japanese Companies Introduce 5,000-Won Buffets in Response to Office Workers' Concerns

More Employees Returning to Offices as Lunch Prices Soar
With Lunch Costs Exceeding 10,000 Won, Many Workers Skip Meals
Japanese Companies Rush to Offer "Affordable and Healthy Meals"
Eco-Friendly Ingredients, Evening Buffets, and Alcohol N

As more employees return to working in offices, an increasing number of Japanese companies are strengthening their employee cafeterias in response to the soaring costs of dining out. In Japan, the cost of a single lunch has already surpassed 10,000 KRW, and some office workers are reportedly skipping lunch altogether due to rising prices.

As office attendance among employees increases, Japanese companies are strengthening their employee cafeterias in response to the soaring costs of dining out. Reference photo to aid understanding of the article. Getty Images

On October 13, 2025 (local time), the Yomiuri Shimbun introduced examples of Japanese companies expanding their employee cafeterias. According to the report, the employee cafeteria at Japanese cosmetics giant L'Oreal Japan now offers more than ten types of fresh vegetables, boiled chicken dishes sourced from poultry farms, and fruit. Previously, the menu focused on standardized options like rice bowls or pasta, but since late September, a buffet-style system has been introduced, offering a plate for 550 yen (about 5,200 KRW), tax included. Employees shared feedback such as, "Nearby restaurants are too crowded, making it hard to wait in line," "It's rare to find an affordable yet satisfying lunch," and "I want to enjoy a wider variety of vegetables and flavors in the company cafeteria." The company responded to these requests. A company representative stated, "Many employees are using the cafeteria, and the response has been positive."

Image unrelated to the article. Pixabay

The cafeteria is operated by CNC, a company specializing in corporate catering services. CNC has contracts with ten farms in Chiba Prefecture to source vegetables and chicken directly, enabling low-cost supply. Currently, L'Oreal Japan is the only in-house cafeteria operated by CNC, but the company aims to expand to 50 companies by 2027.

Major human resources company Persol Holdings reopened its in-house cafeteria in June 2025, five years after closing it during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking into account rising prices. Since many employees still work remotely, the company decided to use the cafeteria as a space for employee interaction, opening it twice a week in the evenings since September and beginning to serve alcoholic beverages. Automotive giant Suzuki, which places importance on the Indian market, started offering Indian curry in January 2024 in response to the growing number of Indian employees. There are a total of 13 curry options, which have also received positive feedback from Japanese employees.

The burden from soaring dining-out prices is the same not only in Japan but also in Korea. An image to help understand the article.

According to market research firm Fuji Keizai, the size of the employee cafeteria market plummeted to 909.6 billion yen (about 8.5 trillion KRW) in 2020, a 20% decrease from the previous year due to the full-scale onset of COVID-19. However, a recovery trend has continued since 2021, with the market reaching 972 billion yen (about 9.18 trillion KRW) in 2024, and it is expected to remain at a similar level in 2025. Yomiuri Shimbun analyzed that as the trend of returning from remote work to office work strengthens, companies are enhancing employee cafeterias as part of their employee benefits.

According to a survey conducted by Hot Pepper Gourmet Dining Research Institute between February and March 2025, the average lunch dining-out budget for office workers in 2025 was 1,250 yen (about 11,800 KRW), marking a rise for the fifth consecutive year. This is more than 200 yen (about 1,900 KRW) higher than the 1,039 yen (about 9,800 KRW) average in 2020. Due to rising prices, the survey also found that 24% of employees skip lunch altogether on workdays.

Miyuki Tsuyuki, a professor at Teikyo University, told the Yomiuri Shimbun, "As households face pressure from rising prices, companies are increasingly expected to protect the lives and health of their employees," adding, "There is also a possibility that in-house cafeterias will expand further as spaces for employee communication."