In a country where prolonged inflation continually drives up food costs, the luxury of consuming three meals daily eludes many South Korean university students. A 2023 survey conducted by the nation’s largest university coalition reveals that food expenses are the first items most university students pare down in an effort to manage their budgets.

In response to the rising demand for cost-effective meal options amid skyrocketing inflation, the government’s economically priced breakfast initiative, first launched in 2017, has seen a surge in popularity among university students.