Even Kimchi Stew Set Meal Surpasses 9,000 Won: "You Can't Eat for 10,000 Won Anymore"

Kimchi stew set meal, a soul food for Koreans and a representative budget-friendly dining-out menu item, now averages over 9,000 won per meal.

According to "Price Information Portal" operated by the Korea Consumer Agency, the national average price of a kimchi stew set meal last month was recorded at 9,080 won.

The most expensive region was Daejeon with an average of 10,600 won, while the cheapest area was Gwangju in South Jeolla Province at 8,278 won.

In Seoul, the price continued its upward trend, moving from the 7,000-won range in October 2021 and the 8,000-won range in December 2023 to 8,769 won last month.

In addition, cold noodles (naengmyeon) and bibimbap have already surpassed 10,000 won, and knife-cut noodles (kalguksu) have also entered the 9,000-won range.

Dining-out menu items that can be purchased with a single 10,000-won bill are steadily decreasing.

※