"36,000 Won for This?"... Festival at Ulsan Faces Overpricing Controversy Despite 90% Rent Discount

Fried Rice Priced at 15,500 Won, Mexican Bowl at 14,500 Won

Ulsan Mayor Also Says "Price Adjustments Are Needed"

A slice of pizza sold for 9,000 won at an Italian restaurant in the Ulsan World Food Culture Center. Ulsan City

The World Food Culture Center, which has opened on Ulsan Bridge—a landmark of Ulsan—is facing controversy for selling food at excessively high prices.

On March 10, Ulsan City held an opening ceremony for the World Food Culture Center on Ulsan Bridge and began its operations. The World Food Culture Center was established with the aim of sharing diverse food cultures in an era with 36,000 foreign residents. The center consists of four temporary buildings and houses six restaurants offering various international cuisines, including Italian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Mexican, and Uzbek dishes.

However, from the very first day, there have been complaints that the food prices are too high. At the Italian section, a whole pepperoni pizza is sold for 36,000 won and a single slice is sold for 9,000 won. At the Thai restaurant, fried rice is priced at 15,500 won, and at the Mexican restaurant, a Mexican bowl is sold for 14,500 won.

Foods sold at Ulsan World Food Culture Center. Ulsan City

There is a growing reaction that these prices are burdensome for the main customer base—foreign workers—and do not align with the purpose of the event. Although the rent for each restaurant is about 300,000 won, and Ulsan City utilized the public space of Ulsan Bridge to create a cultural venue at about one-tenth the cost of the Seongnam-dong commercial district, such overpriced practices have nevertheless become a point of controversy.

In response, Ulsan Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom has reportedly stated that, given the criticism regarding high prices, adjustments are necessary.

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