'Overcharging Controversy' Busan Sashimi Restaurant Responds: "We Gave a Large Portion... It's Aged Sashimi, Not Frozen"

'Overcharging Controversy' Erupts at Busan Sashimi Restaurant
"We Gave a Generous Portion" Actively Clarified

Recently, the owner of a sashimi restaurant in Busan's Shindonga Market, who was embroiled in a "price gouging controversy," has fully denied the allegations, stating that he "gave plenty of sashimi." Earlier, a consumer posted a complaint claiming that they purchased a total of 100,000 won worth of salmon and milchi sashimi at a sashimi restaurant in Shindonga Market, but the portion was too small and even used frozen salmon, sparking controversy.

Sashimi purchased by Mr. B at Shindonga Market
[Photo by Online Community]

On the 26th, JTBC's "Case Judge" reported an interview with the sashimi restaurant owner, Mr. A, from Shindonga Market. Mr. A explained, "The customer said, 'Please give me 50,000 won worth of salmon and 50,000 won worth of milchi,' so I filled the containers with salmon and milchi." He added, "Since they were taking it to go, I gave them a lot. It was not one pack but two packs totaling 100,000 won." Earlier, customer Mr. B initially claimed that he received only one pack instead of two, but corrected himself to say it was two packs as the controversy grew.

Mr. A expressed his frustration, saying, "The portion looks small because of the photo angle," and added, "I gave more than the usual amount. The photo was taken from above, and if you look closely, the sashimi is layered three times. Three layers mean a full plate." He continued, "Usually, one lunch box is sold for 50,000 won, so I gave the amount requested. I even gave more than the usual portion." However, Mr. A did not specify the exact weight in grams for the 50,000 won portion, stating, "There is no special standard. The menu does not indicate the weight in grams either."

Regarding the frozen salmon allegation, he explained, "In summer, if left out, the sashimi spoils, so we keep it in a refrigerator at about minus 2 degrees Celsius." He added, "The sashimi might be slightly frozen, but many people say it tastes better when aged."

The controversy first arose on the 24th when customer Mr. B posted a message titled "I think I was completely ripped off at Busan Jagalchi Market" on an online community. Mr. B posted photos of salmon and milchi sashimi and said, "These two cost 100,000 won," adding, "I expected some price gouging, but this is too much. I felt like I was seriously scammed."

Mr. B's post quickly spread across online communities and social media platforms. Netizens criticized, saying, "Such sashimi restaurants should be shamed nationwide," "They must think tourists are easy targets," and "It's too much to pay 100,000 won for sashimi that isn't even fresh salmon." In response, Mr. B clarified his earlier claim about being ripped off at Busan Jagalchi Market, saying, "It was my first time at Jagalchi Market, and I thought it was the same building as Shindonga Market, but there are actually two buildings," and corrected, "The place where I bought the sashimi was the adjacent building, Shindonga Building."