The Two Faces of Samgyetang... Buying Costs 17,000 Won vs. Making at Home is 'Half Price'

An employee is carrying Samgyetang at a Samgyetang restaurant in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

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As the price of young chickens fell, the cost of ingredients for Samgyetang purchased at traditional markets dropped by 7.5% compared to last year ahead of Chobok (the first hottest day, on the 15th).

On the 14th, Korea Price Information, a professional price survey organization, released the results of a price survey on seven Samgyetang ingredients including young chickens, fresh ginseng, glutinous rice, garlic, chestnuts, green onions, and medicinal herbs for broth, as reported by Yonhap News Agency on the same day. According to the results, the cost of making Samgyetang at home is between 8,000 and 10,000 KRW per serving, which is about half the price of dining out (17,000 to 20,000 KRW). Korea Price Information conducts a price check on Samgyetang ingredients one week before Chobok every year.

Although hundreds of thousands of chickens died due to heavy rains recently in the central region, the supply was increased ahead of Chobok, and since the proportion of deaths among all broilers (meat chickens) is small, it is predicted that the impact on supply will not be significant. Purchasing ingredients for four servings of Samgyetang at a traditional market costs 32,260 KRW based on four young chickens, four fresh ginseng roots, and four cups of glutinous rice. Dividing this by four servings results in about 8,000 KRW per serving. This is 26.3% higher than five years ago but 7.5% (2,600 KRW) lower than last year (34,860 KRW).

The main reason for the decrease in total ingredient costs is the drop in the price of young chickens for Samgyetang. The price of four young chickens (2 kg) at traditional markets fell from 19,200 KRW last year to 16,000 KRW this year, a 16.7% (3,200 KRW) decrease. According to the Livestock Products Quality Evaluation Service’s livestock distribution information, the retail price per kilogram of all broilers was 5,988 KRW as of the 11th, down 7.2% from a year ago. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated, "Due to expanded supply and government support for procurement prices, chicken prices are stabilizing," adding, "The wholesale price of chickens for Samgyetang in early this month was 2,813 KRW per bird, down 19.4% from a year ago."

On the 12th, three days before Chobok, customers waiting in line at Tosokchon Samgyetang in Jahamun, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

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Among the Samgyetang ingredients, the prices of glutinous rice and green onions increased by 12.5% and 25.0%, respectively, compared to last year based on traditional market prices. The stock of glutinous rice decreased until the harvest season in autumn, and the growth environment for green onions was poor due to recent heatwaves and monsoon rains. The prices of the other four ingredients, excluding chicken, glutinous rice, and green onions, remained the same as last year.

Korea Price Information reported that the cost of purchasing Samgyetang ingredients at supermarkets and large discount stores was 42,150 KRW and 43,360 KRW respectively for four servings. Compared to traditional market prices, supermarkets are 30.7% more expensive, and large discount stores are 34.4% more expensive.

According to the Korea Consumer Agency’s price information portal "Chamgagyeok," the average price of one bowl of Samgyetang in Seoul last month was 16,885 KRW. Famous Samgyetang restaurants such as Wonjo Hosu Samgyetang and Nonhyeon Samgyetang charge 18,000 KRW per bowl, while Tosokchon and Goryeo Samgyetang charge 20,000 KRW.

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