"Tteokkochi Too Expensive..." Popular Rest Area Snack Discounted to 2,000-3,000 Won Range

From the 27th... Discount Sales on Hodugwaja, Tteokkochi, Hot Dogs, Eomuk Bars, and More

As criticism arises over the excessively high prices of food at highway rest areas, with the rate of increase reaching double digits for the first time in two years, popular snacks at highway rest areas nationwide will be sold at discounted prices starting from the 27th, when the mass movement begins.

On the 27th, Korea Expressway Corporation announced that from the 26th, the day before the Chuseok holiday, popular snacks will be sold at discounted prices ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 won at 184 highway rest areas nationwide. A 'bundle snack package' allowing customers to enjoy a variety of snacks will also be discounted by up to 33%.

[Photo by Yonhap News]

The discounted items include walnut cookies, tteok-kkochi (so-tteok-so-tteok), hot dogs, fish cake bars, and other foods frequently enjoyed by visitors at rest areas.

This discount sale was decided through the ‘Rest Area Facility Innovation National Happiness T/F’ launched in September, where Korea Expressway Corporation and rest area operators reached a consensus on improving customer service.

Earlier, it was revealed that food prices at nationwide highway rest areas operated by the corporation had risen by more than 11% over two years, leading to criticism that the burden on citizens was too great ahead of the holiday.

According to data submitted by Korea Expressway Corporation to Cho Oh-seop, a member of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee from the Democratic Party, as of the end of last month, the average selling price of the top 10 best-selling foods at rest areas was 6,304 won, an increase of 11.2% (634 won) compared to 5,670 won in August 2021.

The food with the highest price increase was tteok-kkochi, which rose by 18.5% (from 3,550 won to 4,208 won). With the price per tteok-kkochi exceeding 4,000 won, there were criticisms that it was excessively expensive even considering inflation.

Following were hot dogs (16.8%), pork cutlet (14.9%), udon (11.4%), walnut cookies (11.1%), bibimbap (10.5%) all recording double-digit increases, with ramen (9.9%), Americano coffee (9.6%), and gukbap (8.1%) following. These items frequently sought by visitors overlapped with the top items in terms of price increase.

Korea Expressway Corporation stated, "We hope that the journey home will be more abundant and enjoyable with delicious and affordable rest area snacks," and added, "We will continue to regularly monitor the prices of major rest area products to stabilize food prices."

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