▲ Samgyetang
With Chobok, the first of the three dog days of summer, approaching on July 15, the cost of purchasing ingredients at a traditional market to make Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) at home has been calculated at 8,800 won per serving.
On Wednesday (July 8), the Korea Price Information Corporation, a professional price research agency, surveyed the prices of seven ingredients for Samgyetang (based on a 4-person serving)—young chicken, fresh ginseng, glutinous rice, garlic, chestnuts, green onions, and medicinal herbs for broth—ahead of the summer season. The total cost was found to be 35,260 won.
When converted to a single serving, this amounts to 8,800 won. While this is a 12.5% increase compared to 2022 (31,340 won), it is 2.8% cheaper than last year (36,260 won).
The Korea Price Information Corporation conducts a survey on the market prices of Samgyetang ingredients every year before Chobok.
While the prices of young chicken, fresh ginseng, chestnuts, green onions, and medicinal herbs for broth remained the same as last year, and garlic prices remained steady, the price of glutinous rice fell by 23.3% compared to last year, contributing to the stabilization of the overall cost of Samgyetang ingredients.
The Korea Price Information Corporation explained, however, that because this year's rainy season began later than usual and record-breaking heat is forecast after the rainy season, there is a possibility that prices, particularly for young chicken, could rise after Jungbok, the second dog day of summer.
According to "Price Info," a comprehensive price information portal operated by the Korea Consumer Agency, the price of dining out for Samgyetang in Seoul as of May was 18,154 won per bowl, a 2.8% increase from 17,654 won a year ago.
The price gap between dining out for Samgyetang, which continues to rise due to various fixed costs, and making it at home is widening.
Lee Dong-hoon, head of the planning and research team at the Korea Price Information Corporation, said, "Recently, with the increase in single and two-person households and the spread of convenience food consumption, various Samgyetang meal kits and home meal replacement (HMR) products are being released in the range of 5,000 to 9,000 won per serving." He added, "If preparing the ingredients yourself feels burdensome, utilizing these products can also be an economical alternative to dining out to enjoy a healthy summer meal."
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.