Naengmyeon and Samgyetang Prices Near 20,000 Won... Summer Dining-Out Costs Soar Again

Naengmyeon in Seoul Now Averages 12,615 Won; Prices Rise Nationwide

Famous Restaurants Hike Prices Amid Rising Ingredient and Labor Costs

This year, the prices of naengmyeon and samgyetang—popular summer dining-out dishes—have continued their upward trend. It has been reported that at some well-known restaurants in Seoul, the price of a bowl of naengmyeon or samgyetang is approaching 20,000 won.

On May 31, multiple media outlets cited data from the Korea Consumer Agency’s price information portal, Chamgagyeok, reporting that last month, the average price of one serving of naengmyeon in the Seoul area was calculated at 12,615 won. This represents a 4.13% increase from the same period last year, when the average price was 12,115 won.

Last month, the average price of one serving of naengmyeon in the Seoul area rose to 12,615 won. Pixabay

The rise in the average price is attributed to a series of price hikes at major naengmyeon specialty restaurants in Seoul. Wooraeok, a famous restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul, known for its Pyeongyang-style naengmyeon, raised its price from 16,000 won to 18,000 won in April this year. Nampo Myeonok also increased its price from 15,000 won to 16,000 won. Eulmildaes sells naengmyeon for 16,000 won, while Pildong Myeonok, Eulji Myeonok, and Pyeongyang Myeonok all sell it for around 15,000 won per serving.

Outside of Seoul, the average price of naengmyeon has already surpassed 10,000 won in most regions nationwide, except for North Chungcheong, South Jeolla, and Jeju. Even in North Gyeongsang and South Gyeongsang, where the average price was below 10,000 won until last year, the average price has risen to 10,231 won and 10,808 won, respectively, this year.

The restaurant industry points to the rise in raw material prices as the biggest factor. According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), the price of Korean beef brisket—commonly used in naengmyeon broth—was 6,918 won per 100g as of May 29, up 14.7% from the same period last year. In addition to this, rising labor costs, rent, and various operational expenses are putting additional pressure on prices.

The price of Samgyetang at famous restaurants in Seoul is set at around 19,000 to 20,000 won. Pixabay

As for samgyetang, a dish commonly enjoyed in the summer for its nourishing qualities, the average price in Seoul last month was 18,154 won, up 3.7% from last year. Seoul is the only region nationwide where the average price exceeds 18,000 won. In fact, the price of samgyetang at well-known restaurants in the Jongno-gu and Yeongdeungpo-gu areas of Seoul ranges from 19,000 won to 20,000 won.

The increase in chicken prices is also cited as a factor driving up the price of samgyetang. This is due to a reduction in supply after a large-scale culling of broiler breeder chickens during the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) last winter. According to aT, as of May 29, the average price of chicken was 6,591 won per kilogram, up 16.7% from the same period last year.

With not only raw material prices but also labor and rent costs continuing to rise, and with international commodity and logistics prices remaining highly volatile, experts predict that the upward trend in dining-out prices is likely to persist for the time being.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.