‘삼겹살 밥상 물가’ 12% 껑충…외식으로 먹을 때와 격차 좁혀져

A recent survey has revealed a significant increase in the cost of ingredients for pork belly dishes, with the price of pork belly rising by 12% year-over-year. This has led to a narrowing gap between the cost of cooking at home and dining out.

A recent survey conducted by the Korean Consumer Foundation's Price Information Portal "ChangGae" found that the price of a single serving of kimchi-bbq, which was 3,623 won last year, has risen by 6.79% to 3,869 won in July 2023. The survey also revealed that the price of bibimbap, bulgogi, and jjigae also increased by 2.0%, 2.0%, and 0.9% respectively.

The surge in pork belly prices is attributed to the rising cost of ingredients such as pork belly, vegetables, and seasonings. The price of pork belly, a key ingredient in pork belly dishes, rose by 13.6%, while other ingredients such as seasoned seaweed, garlic and cabbage increased by 19.8%, 10.2% and 6.3% respectively.

This trend has been exacerbated by the high seasonality of outdoor dining during the summer months, as well as the rising cost of production and operating expenses due to factors such as higher raw material prices and rental and gas costs.

The rising cost of ingredients has also led to a significant increase in the cost of preparing a basic family meal at home, with pork belly ingredients now costing over 40,000 won for a four-person household. However, the cost of dining out for pork belly dishes has only risen by 2.7%, creating a noticeable gap between the cost of preparing food at home and eating out.