As the recession drags on and dining out costs keep rising,
a cost-effective meal kit for cold noodles is not just a simple alternative,
a cost-effective meal kit for cold noodles is not just a simple alternative,
Refreshing broth and chewy noodles,
'Naengmyeon' is the dish that comes to mind every summer.
But these days, have you noticed that a bowl of naengmyeon now costs over 10,000 won?
If you go out for naengmyeon with your family,
the bill for four can easily exceed 50,000 won.
Amid such burdens, there's something consumers are paying attention to these days.
It's the 'naengmyeon meal kit,' which emphasizes reasonable prices and convenience.
In other words, ready-to-cook naengmyeon meals.
A bowl of naengmyeon now costs 12,269 won...That's a 36% increase compared to five years ago
According to 'Chamgagyeok,' operated by the Korea Consumer Agency,
the average price of naengmyeon in Seoul as of June was 12,269 won.
This is a 36.3% increase compared to five years ago.
The year-on-year price trend makes the increase even more tangible.
Naengmyeon is no longer a 'light dining option.'
It has become a high-priced dining menu,
on par with dishes like bibimbap or pork cutlet.
Buckwheat has become cheaper, so why isn't the price of naengmyeon going down?
It's easy to assume that rising naengmyeon prices are due to ingredient costs,
but in reality, increased operating expenses are cited as a bigger factor.
In fact, the price of buckwheat, the main ingredient in naengmyeon, has actually dropped.
According to the Agricultural Products Distribution Information System,
the price of 1kg of buckwheat at the end of June was 3,274 won,
which is about 7% lower than a year ago.
However, additional costs such as labor, electricity, and rent for running a restaurant continue to rise.
So, while the main ingredient has become cheaper,
the cost of operating the restaurant itself has increased.
Even famous naengmyeon restaurants are raising prices...The era of 20,000 won naengmyeon may soon arrive
Even the popular naengmyeon restaurants known to enthusiasts are no exception.
Famous naengmyeon restaurants in Seoul have also raised their prices one after another this year.
■ Pildong Myeonok: 14,000 won → 15,000 won
■ Eulmildae: 15,000 won → 16,000 won
■ Bongpiyang, Pyeonggaok: 16,000 won each
With the standard price for a bowl of naengmyeon now at 15,000 to 16,000 won,
some predict that the '20,000 won naengmyeon era' is not far off.
Switching to meal kits, enjoying summer delicacies at home
Increase in Home Cold Noodle Eaters Due to Heat and Cost Burden of Cold Noodles. Yonhap News
원본보기 아이콘As naengmyeon prices rise,
more people are choosing to make naengmyeon at home instead of eating out,
bringing attention to naengmyeon meal kits.
With a price around 10,000 won, you get 2 to 4 servings,
so the whole family can enjoy naengmyeon at the cost of a single bowl at a restaurant.
According to Pulmuone,
sales volume of naengmyeon and makguksu last summer (April to August) increased by 6.3% year-on-year,
and sales revenue rose by 7.5%, marking an all-time high.
The average growth rate over the past three years was also 12.9%.
The number of reviews on the online mall Kurly also shows their popularity.
'Olmyeon Sokcho-style Hoe Naengmyeon' has about 58,000 reviews,
'Sobannok Naengmyeon Meal Kit' has over 6,000 reviews.
Naengmyeon is no longer just something you eat out;
it is becoming a homemade summer meal enjoyed at home.
but is becoming a new summer food culture.
How about properly enjoying a bowl of cold noodles at home this summer?
How about properly enjoying a bowl of cold noodles at home this summer?
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Reporter Heo Midam damdam@asiae.co.kr
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Edit Hur Eunmi eungmimon@asiae.co.kr
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