Restaurant Prices Soar... Bibimbap and Naengmyeon Exceed 10,000 Won

On the 28th, amid the recent surge in dining-out prices, a restaurant employee is delivering food in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul, increasing the lunch cost burden for office workers. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The average prices of bibimbap and naengmyeon have surpassed 10,000 won, continuing the high inflation trend in dining out. Prices of widely consumed processed foods such as canned tuna and fish cakes have also risen significantly.

According to the comprehensive price information portal Chamgagaek of the Korea Consumer Agency on the 6th, the average price of eight representative dining-out items in Seoul in January this year increased by 10.8% compared to the same period last year.

In particular, jajangmyeon rose by 13.9% to 6,569 won from 5,769 won in the same month last year, showing the highest rate of increase. Bibimbap increased by 8.8% to reach 10,000 won, and naengmyeon also surpassed the 10,000 won mark with a 9.0% rise to 10,692 won. Other items also saw sharp increases: samgyeopsal (200g) at 19,001 won (12.1%), gimbap at 3,100 won (12.0%), samgyetang at 16,000 won (11.8%), kalguksu at 8,615 won (10.9%), and kimchi jjigae set meal at 7,654 won (8.2%).

Last month, prices of widely consumed processed foods such as canned tuna and fish cakes showed high rates of increase. According to the Consumer Agency, the average price of canned tuna (10g) last month rose by 10.7% compared to the previous month (206 won). The agency explained that this increase was due to a price hike in Dongwon F&B canned tuna products.

The average price of fish cakes (100g) last month rose by 7.2% to 1,204 won from 1,124 won the previous month, following a price increase in CJ CheilJedang fish cake products. Other items also showed upward trends: soup (10g) at 515 won (8.5%), sesame oil (10mL) at 30 won (8.2%), and curry (10g) at 273 won (6.9%).