Economy Food challenge: salarymen opt for ultra-cheap lunches

Another survey by the Japan unit of Edenred, a payment service provider, found that about 40% of male and female office workers had reined in their lunch expenses. In comparison, almost 70% said they had denied themselves their favourite dishes to save money. In a show of solidarity, the Guardian scoured the streets of one part of the capital over a working week, setting itself the challenge of eating at a different restaurant each day while avoiding supermarket delicatessens and convenience stores – popular destinations for the lunch crowd. What the meals lacked in fruit and vegetables – gyudon, a gyoza set lunch, ramen, soba noodles, and, to finish, a Japanese curry – they made up for in value for money. All met the sub-JPY 500 criteria, even after adding a 10% consumption tax, and were generous enough to keep the most enthusiastic eaters – this writer included – satisfied until dinnertime.

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