Gimbap 3,500 won, Bibimbap 11,192 won... Dining out costs have increased by 5% this year.

The price of kimbap (one roll), a staple food for the public, has increased by 5.3% over the past 10 months, the largest increase among major dining-out menu items. Jajangmyeon and bibimbap also rose by 5% each, increasing the burden of dining-out expenses. The ongoing high exchange rate of the won to the dollar, stemming from the Middle East war and the U.S. presidential election, combined with the uncertainty of the impeachment situation, suggests that the rise in food prices will continue into next year.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Local Price Information on the 15th, the average price increase rate for eight dining-out menus in Seoul from January to November this year was 4.0%. The price of a single kimbap increased from 3,323 won in January to 3,500 won last month, a 5.3% rise. During the same period, bibimbap rose from 10,654 won to 11,192 won, and jjajangmyeon increased from 7,069 won to 7,423 won, each by 5.0%.

 

Seoul Shinmun© Seoul Shinmun

 

The 200g of samgyeopsal, which is considered the most preferred dining-out menu among Koreans, has increased by 3.4% from 19,429 won to surpass the 20,000 won mark (20,083 won). Samgyetang rose from 16,846 won to 17,269 won, a 2.5% increase, and kimchi jjigae set meal increased from 8,000 won to 8,192 won, a 2.4% rise.

The inflation trend is expected to continue into next year. Since President Yoon Seok-youl's unconstitutional declaration of a state of emergency on the 3rd, the won-dollar exchange rate, which had briefly exceeded 1,440 won, is still fluctuating around 1,430 won. When the exchange rate rises and the dollar becomes more valuable, more won must be paid when purchasing goods from abroad. This leads to an increase in the import prices of various ingredients, causing restaurant prices to rise as well. The prices of processed foods such as instant noodles are also likely to soar.

The five major personal service fees have increased by an average of 3.2% over the past 10 months. The cost of a haircut at a Seoul beauty salon for adult women rose from 21,615 won in January to 22,923 won last month, a 6.1% increase. The public bathhouse fee increased from 10,154 won to 10,538 won, a 3.8% rise.

Furthermore, accommodation costs increased from 51,231 won to 52,423 won (2.3%), usage fees (based on adult male haircut standards) rose from 12,308 won to 12,538 won (1.9%), and laundry fees (based on men's suit dry cleaning standards) went up from 9,308 won to 9,462 won (1.7%).

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Gimbap would probably be even cheaper at 3,500 won.

These days, vegetable kimbap is like that.

If it contains cheese or tuna, it costs 5,000 won.

It just seems to pass quickly.

Yesterday, Jjajang (black bean paste noodles) cost 8,000 won, and regular Jjajang cost 7,000 won.

Since it's an old restaurant, the prices were a bit affordable.

It's almost 1,000 won more expensive near my house.