noun
lunch cost; lunch money; price of lunch
Refers to the amount of money spent on lunch, or the money set aside for lunch.
毎月の昼食代は結構かかる。
My monthly lunch expenses are quite high.
今日は昼食代を忘れた。
I forgot my lunch money today.
食費 is a broader term for overall food expenses, while 昼食代 specifically refers to the cost of lunch.
Compound of 昼食 (lunch) and 代 (cost, charge).