A Bowl of Samgyetang Hits 18,000 Won... Seoul Dining Prices Continue to Soar

ChamkaGyeok Data Shows Seoul Dining Costs in August
Jajangmyeon Price Also Surpasses 7,500 Won

The average price of a bowl of Samgyetang at restaurants in Seoul rose to 18,000 won in August.

According to the price information portal 'ChamkaGyeok' operated by the Korea Consumer Agency on September 16, the average price of dining out for Samgyetang in Seoul reached 18,000 won last month, up by 77 won from July's 17,923 won.

An employee is serving Samgyetang at a Samgyetang restaurant in downtown Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

The price of Samgyetang was 15,462 won in August 2022, rose to 16,000 won in January 2023, surpassed 17,000 won in July last year, and reached 18,000 won last month, marking an average increase of 2,500 won over three years.

By region, Seoul had the highest average price for Samgyetang last month at 18,000 won, followed by Jeonbuk at 17,400 won, Gwangju at 17,200 won, and Gyeonggi at 17,138 won. Chungbuk had the lowest price at 15,143 won.

The price of Jajangmyeon in Seoul also increased last month, rising from 7,500 won to 7,577 won. The price of Jajangmyeon in Seoul was in the 6,000 won range in April 2022, the 7,000 won range in September 2023, and reached the 7,500 won range in January this year.

In contrast, the price of one serving (200g) of Samgyeopsal in Seoul fell by 68 won, from 20,639 won to 20,571 won.

Among eight menu items, five showed little change in their average prices last month: Gimbap (3,623 won), Kalguksu (9,692 won), Naengmyeon (12,423 won), Bibimbap (11,538 won), and Kimchi Jjigae Baekban (8,577 won).

For personal services in Seoul last month, the price of a barbershop haircut was 12,538 won and a public bath was 10,769 won, both unchanged from July.