Samgyetang nears 20,000 won a bowl as prices climb 29% over five years

The average price of samgyetang, a traditional Korean ginseng chicken soup, in Seoul is approaching 20,000 won ($13) a bowl. Prices have risen faster over the past five years than the cost of raw ingredients, a trend attributed to higher labor costs and pricier supplementary ingredients.

According to data from the Korea Consumer Agency's price information portal "Chamgagyeok," the average price of samgyetang in Seoul stood at 18,154 won as of May this year.

At some well-known specialty restaurants, a single bowl already exceeds 20,000 won. Prices have been on a steady upward trajectory in recent years.

Tracking May figures, the Seoul average climbed from 14,077 won in 2021 to 14,577 won in 2022, then crossed the 16,000-won threshold for the first time at 16,423 won in 2023, before reaching 17,654 won last year.

The price broke the 18,000-won mark for the first time in August last year and has held at roughly that level since. Compared with five years ago, the price has risen 4,077 won, or 29.0 percent.

Regional price gaps were also notable. The difference between Seoul and Ulsan was 2,554 won. Busan (10,728 won), Daejeon (17,095 won) and Jeju (17,182 won) all recorded average prices in the range of around 17,000 won.

Gwangju posted the lowest average in the country at 15,241 won. The increase in restaurant samgyetang prices has outpaced the rise in raw ingredient costs.

Data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation's agricultural market information system KAMIS showed the national average retail price of broiler chicken reached 6,518 won per kilogram in May this year, up 20.0 percent from 5,433 won in May 2021 — still well below the 29.0 percent increase recorded for samgyetang in Seoul over the same period.

Beyond chicken, samgyetang requires a range of ingredients including glutinous rice, garlic, jujubes and fresh ginseng. The broader rise in costs across the restaurant industry — including labor, rent and utilities — appears to have compounded the pressure on prices.