How Much for Seoul Seol Charyesang? Traditional Markets 220,000 Won · Large Marts 250,000 Won

Traditional Markets Rise 3% Compared to Previous Year

When preparing a Seollal ancestral rite table in Seoul, it was found that using traditional markets costs about 225,000 KRW, while large supermarkets cost about 256,000 KRW.

According to the Seoul Agro-Fisheries & Food Corporation on the 5th, a survey was conducted on the cost of preparing the ancestral rite table at a total of 25 locations, including 16 traditional markets in Seoul, 8 large supermarkets, and Garak Mall within Garak Market.

The survey results showed that for a family of 6 to 7 people, the average cost of preparing the ancestral rite table was 225,604 KRW at traditional markets, about 30,000 KRW cheaper than at large supermarkets (256,200 KRW). In the case of Garak Mall within Garak Market, the cost was the lowest at 206,657 KRW.

Two days before the Lunar New Year holiday, the Cheongnyangni Fruit and Vegetable Market in Seoul is bustling with citizens buying ritual items. Photo by Heo Younghan younghan@

Compared to last year, prices at traditional markets rose by 3.3% (7,284 KRW), while large supermarkets saw a decrease of 3.7% (9,972 KRW). The decrease in the cost of preparing the ancestral rite table at large supermarkets compared to last year is analyzed to be the result of expanded discount rates due to government support for discounts on agricultural, fishery, and livestock products.

By item, prices of fruits such as apples and pears rose significantly due to decreased production, and seafood prices also increased due to reduced supply. Prices of livestock products such as beef, pork, and chicken remained stable due to an increase in the number of animals slaughtered.

Representative agricultural, fishery, and livestock product prices based on traditional markets were as follows: 3 apples (about 400g each) averaged 13,231 KRW (7,647 KRW last year), 300g of doraji (balloon flower root) was 5,307 KRW (4,917 KRW last year), 200g of beef for sanjeok (skewered meat) was 9,836 KRW (10,399 KRW last year), and 200g of pork was 2,456 KRW (2,662 KRW last year).

Fruits were on average 8% cheaper and livestock products about 20% cheaper at traditional markets compared to large supermarkets. Garaetteok (rice cake sticks), rice, and tofu were also cheaper at traditional markets, but processed foods such as vegetables, cheongju (clear rice wine), sikhye (sweet rice drink), and dasik (traditional Korean sweets) were relatively cheaper at large supermarkets.

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