Cherry Blossom Festival 10,000 Won Jeyuk Deopbap, Three Meat Slices and Three Pickled Radish Pieces

Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival Food Market Overcharging Controversy
Paid 10,000 Won... Only 3 Pieces of Meat and 3 Pickled Radishes

As controversies over local festival 'overcharging' continue to arise, this time a 10,000 won spicy pork rice bowl sold at the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival in Seoul has come under scrutiny.

Jeyuk Deopbap being sold at the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival in Yeongdeungpo.
[Photo by Online Community]

On the 2nd, a post titled "Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival Spicy Pork Rice Bowl is the Worst" was uploaded on an online community. Currently, the 'Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival' is underway in Yeouido, and the author, Mr. A, who visited the festival on the 1st, said, "I was able to enjoy myself after a long time because I saw the cherry blossoms and there were various events," but added, "However, trying to eat on-site ruined the pleasant atmosphere."

In the photos Mr. A posted, three pieces of meat seasoned red were placed on top of the rice, and the side dish consisted of only three pieces of pickled radish. The portion was excessively meager for the price of 10,000 won. Mr. A lamented, "The spicy pork, which at least had a few pieces, was mostly fat." He continued, "I reported this to the festival complaint booth," and said, "I will wait this week, and if there is no response, I plan to file a complaint directly with the Yeongdeungpo District Office. I feel mocked and cannot sleep."

Netizens who saw the story responded with comments such as, "Wasn't this meant for kids but sold as an adult portion?", "I should eat somewhere I know before going to places like that," "This looks like a JaeSam rice bowl," "Why didn't you at least curse them out?", "Why does a convenience store lunchbox look better?", and "Did you eat at a daycare center?"

Yeouido Spring Flower Festival Scenery.
Photo by Asia Economy Go Gijeong

Meanwhile, on the 27th of last month, the Jinhae Gunhangje Food Market was embroiled in an 'overcharging' controversy when two skewered fish cakes were sold for 10,000 won. When reporters complained that the food served was different from the original photos, the vendors responded, "We use expensive fish cakes, so it’s different," showing an unrepentant attitude that sparked further controversy. In response, Changwon City announced that businesses caught overcharging will be permanently banned from the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival and that related information will be disclosed on the official website, pledging to work hard to prevent recurrence.