Have you checked your breakfast bowl lately? This simple dish of rice topped with a raw egg and soy sauce—known as tamago kake gohan— has long been a budget superstar in Japan. But in late 2025, what used to cost a few pennies now feels more like a luxury treat 🍚🥚💸.
This year, rice prices hit a record 4,337 yen (about $27) per five kilograms at around 1,200 supermarkets nationwide for the week ending December 21, 2025, according to Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. At the same time, egg prices are on the rise too, thanks to higher feed costs and repeated avian influenza outbreaks affecting supply.
'I’ve been eating tamago kake gohan since I was a student,' says a Tokyo resident. 'But now I have to think twice before buying extras.' While supermarkets try to keep shelves stocked, shoppers are feeling the pinch as they weigh their options between convenience and cost.
Looking ahead, experts say food inflation could stay high into the new year, so households might turn to budget-friendly swaps—think instant noodles or homemade onigiri—to stretch their yen further. For true fans of this comforting classic, the hunt is on for recipes that bring down costs without sacrificing flavor.
Whether you’re a Tokyoite grabbing a quick bite or a traveler scouting authentic eats, tamago kake gohan’s price surge is a reminder that no meal is immune to global inflation trends. Stay tuned for more on how everyday favorites are adapting in 2025! 🚀
Reference(s):
Japan's affordable breakfast staple cracks under hard-boiled inflation
cgtn.com
