VanBasket South Korea

Food Prices in South Korea — August 2026

Updated: 1 August 2026

Current Index

208.8

vs World Average

+108.8%

Official (IMF + World Bank)

Real grocery prices

Price per unit in your currency

Prices known for 4 of 10 items — help fill the rest

Milk 1 L

open data

$3.42

+93% World (base = 100)
Eggs 12 pcs

open data

$3.04

-12% World (base = 100)
Chicken 1 kg

open data

$7.39

+26% World (base = 100)
Rice 1 kg

open data

$3.85

+70% World (base = 100)
Bread 500 g loaf
Water 1.5 L bottle
Cheese 1 kg
Tomatoes 1 kg
Potatoes 1 kg
Beer 0.5 L bottle

Monthly basket, 1 person

Directional: 4 milk + 2 eggs + 4 chicken + 4 rice

$64.72

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Every traveller price is reviewed by hand; the row shows how many reports from the last 90 days back the figure.

Data: WhereNext (CC BY 4.0, January 2026)

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Reports are reviewed by hand — only what an editor confirms reaches the site.

What this means for vanlife

Food in South Korea is significantly more expensive — 108.8% above the world average. One of the pricier food destinations: the same basket costs around $626 per month (vs $300 world average).

↑ Year-over-year change: +0.1% 2026

Index History

Index:

Based on World Bank ICP 2021, adjusted with IMF CPI

Compare with South Korea

South Korea

208.8

World (base = 100)

100

If you spend 100 at home:

100

Select home and destination countries to compare food costs

Similar Countries

Japan 199.5 +99.5%

Switzerland 199.2 +99.2%

More countries in Asia

India 58.2 -41.8%

Nepal 61 -39%

Tajikistan 62 -38%

Myanmar 63 -37%

Bangladesh 65 -35%

Kyrgyzstan 65 -35%

FAQ

Is food expensive in South Korea?

Yes, food in South Korea is above average. The VanBasket Index is 208.8 (world average = 100), meaning food costs 108.8% more than the global average.

How much should I budget for food in South Korea per month?

If the world average monthly food spend is $300, in South Korea you can expect to spend around $626. This is based on the VanBasket Index of 208.8 (world = 100).

How does South Korea compare to similar countries?

South Korea has a VanBasket Index of 208.8. Similar or nearby countries: Japan, Switzerland.

How often is the food price data for South Korea updated?

The index is updated monthly using IMF Consumer Price Index data. The baseline is from World Bank ICP 2021.

About the data: The VanBasket Index is based on World Bank ICP 2021 food price level data, adjusted monthly using IMF CPI. World average = 100. Index > 100 means food is more expensive than the global average. API for developers →

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