Naengmyeon, Gimbap, Chicken, and Hamburger Prices Rise One After Another... 'The Terrifying Family Month'

The Most Pricey Item is Naengmyeon... Up 7.2%
Dining Businesses Say Price Hikes Are Inevitable Due to Rising Costs

Following the rise in ingredient prices, the cost of dining out items such as chicken, burgers, and pizza has also increased consecutively, making the burden of dining out in May, the month of family celebrations, even heavier.

According to the comprehensive price information portal Chamgagaek of the Korea Consumer Agency on the 28th, the average prices of eight representative dining out items in the Seoul area, including naengmyeon and gimbap, rose by up to 7% compared to a year ago. The item with the highest increase was naengmyeon, which rose by 7.2%, reaching an average of 11,462 won per bowl.

Gimbap increased by 6.4% to 3,323 won per roll, and bibimbap became 5.7% more expensive at 10,769 won per bowl. Additionally, kimchi jjigae set meal and jajangmyeon rose by 4% each to 8,000 won and 7,069 won respectively, kalguksu reached 9,038 won per bowl with a 3.5% increase, and samgyetang rose by 3.1% to 16,846 won per bowl. Samgyeopsal cost 19,514 won per serving (200g), 1.4% higher than a year ago.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The franchise industry has also begun raising prices in earnest this month. The gimbap franchise Bareuda Kim Seonsaeng raised menu prices by 100 to 500 won on the 9th, with the price of its signature Bareun Gimbap increasing from 4,300 won to 4,500 won. Chicken franchise Goobne raised prices of nine menu items by 1,900 won each on the 15th. As a result, the price of its signature menu item, Gochu Basasak, neared 20,000 won at 19,900 won.

McDonald's will raise prices on 16 menu items by an average of 2.8% starting May 2. Among burger single items, the hamburger, cheeseburger, double cheeseburger, and triple cheeseburger will each increase by 100 won, bulgogi burger by 300 won, and egg bulgogi burger by 400 won. Pizza Hut will also raise prices on premium menu items such as Garlic Butter Shrimp and Cheese King starting May 2.

Moreover, with the introduction of a dual pricing system where delivery and in-store prices differ, ordering delivery menus can sometimes be more expensive. Popeyes raised prices on chicken, sandwiches, desserts, and beverages by an average of 4% on the 15th, applying prices for delivery menus approximately 5% higher than in-store sales prices.

Dining out businesses claim that price increases are inevitable due to rising costs of ingredients, labor, and other expenses. As a result, the price burden felt by consumers is expected to increase further for the time being.