"Changing the Grill Plate Costs 990 Won"… Netizens Debate Paid Service at Korean BBQ Restaurants

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[Asia Economy Reporter Na Yeeun] A controversy has arisen after it was revealed that a franchise barbecue restaurant charged fees for services such as grill replacement and vegetable refills.

Recently, a photo was posted on an online community under the title "Paid Service Controversy at a Barbecue Restaurant." The photo shows the screen of a kiosk (self-ordering machine) inside the restaurant, listing items included under "Additional Menu."

First, vegetables and dongchimi (radish water kimchi), presumed to be basic side dishes, were listed with additional costs of 990 KRW and 790 KRW respectively. Also, customers must pay 990 KRW to replace the grill.

At a certain franchise barbecue restaurant, customers must pay 990 KRW to replace the grill plate.
Photo by Online Community Capture

The poster of the photo shared that "people's reactions are divided," and introduced netizens' responses.

Netizens who sympathized with the restaurant said, "I worked part-time at a barbecue restaurant, and washing grills is really tough. So I understand," "There are labor costs and external service fees even for cleaning grills, so it's quite reasonable," and "Isn't it their right to charge money?"

They added comments such as, "If they want to charge, they can, and the owner should handle any sales fluctuations caused by it," "That place is a single-person barbecue restaurant, and the grills are different from regular ones, so the meat doesn't stick easily, meaning replacement isn't always necessary," "I accept it if other basic prices like meat are cheap," and "Sometimes customers excessively demand grill replacements."

On the other hand, other netizens expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "I accept paying for extra vegetables, but what is this about the grill? If they don't want to replace it and let it burn, isn't the restaurant the one who loses?" "Are customers allowed to take used grills home?" and "Isn't the meat price supposed to include such incidental costs from the start?"

Some also responded, "The store owner knows one thing but not two," "It just looks like a way to squeeze money under a flimsy pretext," and "It feels like they want to charge an entrance fee and even ask for tips."