Due to the Seoul heat wave, prices for cold noodles and samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) have increased again... a basic samgyetang at a famous restaurant costs 20,000 won.

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Seong Hye-mi = Among the 8 popular food items that consumers in Seoul frequently seek, the prices of 5 summer menu items, including naengmyeon (cold noodles) and samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), continued to rise last month.

According to the price information comprehensive portal 'Participate Price' by the Korea Consumer Agency, the average price of a bowl of naengmyeon in Seoul rose from 12,269 won in June to 12,423 won last month, an increase of 154 won.

The price of samgyetang also increased from 17,654 won to 17,923 won over the same period, a rise of 269 won.

The average price of a bowl of naengmyeon surpassed 10,000 won in April 2022, 11,000 won in June 2023, and 12,000 won in December of last year.

The average price of samgyetang exceeded 14,000 won in June 2017, 15,000 won in July 2022, 16,000 won in January 2023, and 17,000 won in July of last year.

These are the average prices for restaurants in the Seoul area, and the prices for naengmyeon and samgyetang at famous restaurants are even higher.

The price of a bowl of naengmyeon at restaurants such as Eulmil Dae, Uraeok, Bongpiyang, and Pyeonggaok is 16,000 won, while at Eulji Myeonok and Pildong Myeonok it is 15,000 won. Among other famous naengmyeon restaurants, some set the price of a bowl of Pyeongyang Naengmyeon at 17,000 won or 18,000 won.

Samgyetang specialty restaurants such as Tosokchon, Goryeo Samgyetang, and Nonhyeon Samgyetang sell a bowl of 'basic samgyetang' for 20,000 won. Samgyetang with additional side dishes or ingredients costs significantly more than 20,000 won.

A serving of samgyeop-sal (pork belly) (200g) increased from 24,470 won in June to 26,390 won last month, a rise of 192 won, while bibimbap increased from 11,462 won to 11,538 won by 76 won, and kimchi jjigae baekban (white rice with kimchi stew) increased from 8,500 won to 8,577 won by 77 won.

The prices of 3 items, including gimbap (3,623 won), jajangmyeon (7,500 won), and kalguksu (9,692 won), remained the same as the previous month.

Looking at the individual service fees in the Seoul area last month, the cost of a haircut was 12,538 won, the same as the previous month, while the cost of a bath increased by 77 won to 17,690 won.