Jajangmyeon 5,000 Won · Gimbap 2,000 Won No Longer True, Dining Costs Fluctuate... Daily Necessities Also Rise Amid New Coronavirus

Prices Rise for 7 of 8 Popular Dining-Out Items Preferred by Consumers
Dining-Out Costs Continue to Increase in January... Food and Dining Companies Also Raise Prices
Prices of Essential Products Like Tax Items Climb Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Jajangmyeon

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] Prices for dining out are showing signs of instability. As prices for popular affordable dishes like Jajangmyeon and Gimbap have risen significantly, household burdens are increasing.

According to the Korea Consumer Agency's 'True Price' on the 9th, prices for 7 out of 8 representative dining-out menu items frequently chosen by consumers in the Seoul area have risen simultaneously over the past year. The menu item with the highest increase was Jajangmyeon. In December last year, the average price of Jajangmyeon in Seoul was 5,154 won, up 7.19% from 4,808 won in December 2018. The price of Jajangmyeon in Seoul surpassed 5,000 won starting from October last year.

The price of one roll of Gimbap in Seoul was 2,408 won, a 6.12% increase compared to the same period last year. Kimchi stew set meals rose 3.7% to 6,462 won, and Kalguksu (hand-cut noodle soup) increased 3.41% to 7,000 won. A bowl of Naengmyeon (cold noodles) rose 1.74% to 8,962 won, and Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) increased 1.62% to 14,462 won. The only item that saw a price decrease was Samgyeopsal (pork belly). The price per 200g was 16,325 won, down 3.2% year-on-year due to increased pig farming and reduced demand following the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) last year.

There were also significant regional price differences. The price of Naengmyeon showed nearly a 2,000 won gap between the most expensive Seoul (8,962 won) and the cheapest Jeju Island (7,000 won). Bibimbap was nearly 2,000 won more expensive in Seoul (8,769 won) compared to the cheapest Gyeongnam (6,800 won). For Kimchi stew set meals, Jeju was the most expensive at 7,625 won, while Daejeon was the cheapest at 6,100 won. The price difference for 200g of Samgyeopsal between Seoul (16,325 won) and Gangwon Province (12,000 won) exceeded 4,000 won, and Jajangmyeon prices differed by 850 won between Gyeongnam (4,900 won) and Jeju Island (5,750 won).

Although January dining-out prices have not yet been announced, experts generally expect them to have risen compared to the previous month. Moreover, major food and dining companies are sequentially raising product prices from the new year, adding to the burden on grocery prices.

Meanwhile, prices for daily necessities such as kitchen detergents and laundry detergents, essential for daily life, are also rising due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia).

According to the price trends of daily necessities from True Price, prices for most liquid laundry detergent products have increased. The January selling price of 'Ttaegassok Beat' (CJ Lion, 3000ml) was 12,732 won, up 2.3% from 12,441 won in the previous month. The selling price of 'Persil Power Gel Drum' (Henkel Home Care Korea, 2700ml) was 19,735 won, up 8.8% from 18,139 won, and 'Persil Power Gel Regular' (Henkel Home Care Korea, 2700ml) jumped 8.7% from 17,939 won to 19,498 won.

Fabric softener prices are also on the rise. The January selling price of 'Downy Concentrated Blue Tulip and Sweet Lilac' (Korea P&G, 2000ml) was 9,113 won, up 3.3% from 8,823 won the previous month, and 'Safran Cotton & Cream' (LG Household & Health Care, 4200ml) rose 2.1% from 8,804 won to 8,987 won.

Cleaning agent prices also increased. The selling price of 'Mugyunmuttae Bathroom Cleaner' (Pigeon, 500ml) was 5,239 won, up 4.4% from 5,020 won the previous month.

Kitchen detergent prices showed a slight upward trend as well. The January selling price of CJ Chamgreen (CJ Lion, 965ml) was 6,329 won, up 5.4% from 6,005 won the previous month, and 'Safe Organic Sprouted Brown Rice Refill' (LG Household & Health Care, 500ml) rose 1.2% from 3,937 won to 3,984 won.

Prices for disinfectants surged sharply. The January selling price of 'Yuhan Clorox Regular' (Yuhan Corporation, 1.5L) was 3,373 won, a 10.6% jump from 3,050 won the previous month. Insecticide prices also showed notable increases. The retail price of 'F-Killer Aerosol Unscented' (SC Johnson Korea, 500ml) was 5,162 won, up 3.9% from 4,966 won, and Home Keeper Water-based Aerosol (Henkel Home Care Korea, 500ml) rose 2.1% from 4,615 won to 4,714 won.

Meanwhile, according to Statistics Korea, consumer prices in January rose 1.5% compared to a year earlier. This marks a recovery to 2018 levels after inflation rates remained in the 0% range throughout last year. Statistics Korea expects inflation to continue in the low 1% range throughout this year. In particular, they forecast that the impact of the novel coronavirus will be reflected in February's prices. As a result, consumer prices in February are also expected to maintain an inflation rate in the low 1% range.

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