Confusing Customers with Cunning Remarks
Serving Expensive Menu Items Without Adequate Explanation
Gwangjang Market, which had suffered from overpriced items, is once again under scrutiny. This time, consumers were confused by cunning explanations that caused menu misunderstandings, leading to the sale of expensive dishes.
Tteokbokqueen, a YouTuber with 510,000 subscribers, posted a video on the 8th titled "Be careful, you will definitely get scammed." The video begins with her experience from two years ago at a restaurant where glutinous rice sundae was 6,000 won and assorted sundae was 10,000 won. When ordering sundae, the owner said, "I'll mix it as an assortment," and sold her the 10,000 won assorted sundae.
Tteokbokqueen recalled, "When the owner says 'I'll mix it,' most customers understand it as mixing intestines into the 6,000 won sundae and say 'yes,' but at payment, they end up paying for the 10,000 won assorted sundae." She added, "It felt like being tricked right before my eyes." She was curious if the same method was still being used after two years, as many others had experienced the same trick, so she visited Gwangjang Market again.
The restaurant she visited two years ago had raised the price of glutinous rice sundae by 2,000 won to 8,000 won. The assorted sundae remained at 10,000 won, and tteokbokki was still 3,000 won, unchanged from two years ago. When she ordered one serving each of tteokbokki and glutinous rice sundae, the owner said, "I'll mix the sundae evenly as an assortment," and served the 10,000 won assorted sundae. Tteokbokqueen pointed out, "Who could understand that phrase as receiving the 10,000 won assorted sundae? Naturally, people would think they are mixing intestines into the 8,000 won sundae." She also evaluated the portion as somewhat small but added, "Since it contains meat, the perception may vary from person to person."
Curious about other places' operations, she visited nearby shops and ordered the same menu with the same phrase. Again, the response was "I'll mix the sundae," and payment was made for the 10,000 won assorted sundae. Tteokbokqueen said, "The previous shop hinted with the word 'assorted,' but this shop said they would mix it as if it were natural and sold the menu that way," and questioned, "How many first-time visitors to Gwangjang Market would notice this?"
The last place she visited responded conscientiously. When ordering glutinous rice sundae, only the glutinous rice sundae was served, and information about the assorted sundae was provided only when the customer inquired.
However, card payments were not accepted at any of the shops she visited. She said, "Curious if cards were accepted in the market, I visited five places and others, but none accepted cards. Some merchants were displeased when I mentioned card payments."
Gwangjang Market boasts a 120-year tradition and is the largest traditional market in Seoul. It has become a hotspot for domestic and international tourists, including the MZ generation (Millennials + Generation Z), as it offers street food experiences in one place. However, recently, some shops have reduced the contents and sold excessively poor-quality items, sparking controversy over overcharging.
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