"Bibimbap at 16,000 Won, Pork Cutlet at 15,000 Won"... Airport Food Prices Up to 45% Higher in 5 Years

High Rent Cited as Main Cause of Price Increases

It has been found that the prices of major food and beverage items at 14 airports nationwide, operated by Korea Airports Corporation, have increased by more than 45% over the past five years.

Incheon Airport. Photo is not related to specific content of the article. Photo by Yonhap News.

On September 11, Kim Mi Ae, a member of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee from the People Power Party, released data received from Korea Airports Corporation regarding "major food and beverage prices by airport." According to the data, from August 2021 to August 2026, the largest price increase for the same store and menu was for bibimbap at Cheongju Airport (Pulmuone Food & Culture), which rose 45.5% from 11,000 won to 16,000 won.

At the same store, pork cutlet increased from 11,000 won to 15,000 won (36.4%), while ramen at Ulsan Airport rose from 5,000 won to 6,500 won (30.0%), and udon at Gimpo Airport climbed from 8,500 won to 11,000 won (29.4%). Bibimbap dishes at both Gimhae Airport and Jeju Airport are also being sold for 12,000 won each, marking an increase of 26.3%.

As of August, the highest prices for each category were: bibimbap at 16,000 won (Cheongju), pork cutlet at 15,000 won (Gimhae and Cheongju), udon at 11,000 won (Gimpo), a ramen set at 9,000 won (Gimhae, single dish at Daegu 7,500 won), jjajangmyeon at 9,500 won (Gimpo, Gimhae, and Jeju), and Americano at 5,500 won (Gimpo).

The main reason for the increase in food and beverage prices was cited as rising rent. According to the analysis of Korea Airports Corporation's data on "food and beverage store sales and rent," total sales over the five years from 2021 to 2025 amounted to 865.9 billion won. Of this, 276.5 billion won was paid as rent, accounting for 31.9% of total sales.

In 2025, of the 96 stores that generated sales, 28 stores had a rent-to-sales ratio of 40% or more, and 10 stores had a ratio of 50% or more. The Dunkin' Donuts at Gimpo Airport International Terminal paid 65.6% of its sales as rent, while Angel-in-us and Ogada at Jeju Airport Domestic Terminal paid 59.2% and 58.4% of their respective sales as rent.

Assemblywoman Kim stated, "During the upcoming National Assembly audit, I will review how high rent affects prices and service quality, whether the methods for determining rent and holding competitive bids are appropriate, and whether price negotiations and post-management are being conducted effectively."

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