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Food prices at highway rest areas rose sharply over the past four years, data showed Thursday.

Data from Korea Expressway Corp., a transport ministry-supervised organization, showed that the average price of udon, or thick noodle soup, was 6,623 won ($5.03) as of July this year, up 21.4 percent from 5,455 won in 2020. The same dish cost 5,890 won in 2021, 6,285 won in 2022 and 6,526 won in 2023.

The ministry-run company released the data at the request of Rep. Ahn Tae-jun of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, who serves on the National Assembly's Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee.

The data contained changes in the prices of the top 10 menu items at highway rest areas from 2020 to 2024.

The average price of tonkatsu, or pork cutlet, came to 10,653 won as of July, up 21.3 percent from 8,779 won over the same period.

The popular food was the only item among the top 10 sellers to exceed an average price of 10,000 won.

Korea's rice dish bibimbap stood at 9,650 won, up 17.6 percent from 8,207 won over the same period.

The price increases in these three menu items are pronounced, given that the cost of living index that includes dining-out costs increased about 17.2 percent in July from four years earlier.

Prices of other popular menu items increased by a range of between 4.7 percent and 13.2 percent.

Instant noodle prices jumped to 4,885 won, up 11.2 percent from 4,392 won, while the price of hot dogs came to 4,151 won, up 11.4 percent from 3,725 won.

A cup of Americano was sold at a price of 4,507 won as of July, up 13.2 percent from 3,981 won, while a cup of latte was priced at 4,919 won, up 4.7 percent from 4,696 won.