Taiwan's consumer prices rose just over 2% in August for the fourth month running, but officials say this is price pressure, not full-blown inflation — mildly bad news for eaters out, neutral for everyone else.

• Prices are being pushed up by gas, higher fuel surcharges on plane tickets, tour packages, seafood, rent and electricity.
• Cheap vegetables did the opposite — they fell more than 20% against last year's typhoon-inflated prices, holding the overall number down.
• Eating out is the pain point: restaurant prices are up more than 3% for a third straight month as rent, wages and food costs squeeze owners.
• Officials say there's no real inflation because the rises are narrow, not across the board, and the average for the year so far is still under 2%.
• Taiwan's central bank meets next week, right after the Fed's rate decision.

Outlook: September prices are expected to stay above 2%, with restaurant bills likely rising more than 3% for the rest of the year, though a quiet typhoon season could keep the full-year figure below 2%.