Kimchi Festival Bossam Kimchi Price Controversy... Debate Over 20 Pieces of Meat for 30,000 Won

About 68,000 Visitors Attend Gwangju Kimchi Festival
Netizens Divided Over Overcharging Controversy

At the recently held 'Gwangju Kimchi Festival' (hereinafter referred to as the 'Kimchi Festival'), netizens' opinions are divided over allegations of price gouging. On the 22nd, numerous online communities circulated photos of 'Bossam Kimchi' reportedly sold at the Kimchi Festival. The photos show about 20 pieces of bossam meat, kimchi served on a small plate, and salted shrimp being sold for 30,000 won. Another netizen reported that a plate of 'Tofu Kimchi Bossam' containing about 10 pieces of boiled pork, 3 pieces of tofu, and kimchi was sold for 10,000 won.

[Photo by Online Community]

Netizens' opinions on the photos are mixed. Many commented, "This is why I don't go to local festivals," "Is there no regulation? This keeps happening, not just once or twice," and "When I go to festivals, I just watch and eat at nearby franchise restaurants, so I'm the winner." On the other hand, some netizens responded, "It feels expensive, but prices are really high these days," "Try making kimchi and boiled pork at home. The quantity isn't that much," and "Even if you buy ingredients and make it at home, it would cost at least 20,000 won."

Previously, from the 18th to the 20th, the Kimchi Festival was held at Gwangju City Hall Plaza. It attracted attention as chefs Choi Hyun-seok, Yeo Kyung-rae, Fabrizio Ferrari, who appeared on the recently popular Netflix variety show 'Black and White Chef: Culinary Class War,' and temple food master Monk Jeonggwan participated as food show hosts.

These chefs prepared dishes on-site using kimchi that won the Presidential Award at the Korean Kimchi Contest, including Gat Kimchi Soy Sauce Marinated Crab Risotto, Large Shrimp Kimchi Steamed Whole Shrimp, Cockscomb White Kimchi Mukbap, and Gat Water Kimchi Octopus Cold Pasta, allowing visitors to taste them. According to the organizers, about 68,000 people attended during the festival period, kimchi worth approximately 410 million won was sold, and sales of over 30 types of kimchi dishes exceeded 190 million won, recording total sales of 820 million won.