Seoul Food Prices 2026: Gimbap, Bibimbap, Jjajangmyeon, Kimchi-Jjigae — What a Meal Really Costs

Bottom line: For a quick, cheap meal in Seoul, budget around 3,923 won for a roll of gimbap; for a proper sit-down meal, budget around 12,000 won for bibimbap. Nationally, average prices are 7,233 won for jjajangmyeon, 9,092 won for kimchi-jjigae set meals, and 9,071 won for kalguksu noodle soup.

If you didn't know: If you budget using a year-old number from an old travel blog (jjajangmyeon at 6,994 won, kimchi-jjigae set at 8,741 won), you'll come up 239 to 351 won short per dish. Eat all three meals a day on these kinds of dishes and you could end up nearly 1,000 won short for the day.

These figures come from the Korea Consumer Agency's monthly "Chamgagyeok" survey of restaurant prices nationwide. Prices quoted in old travel blogs or reviews from a few years back may no longer match — jjajangmyeon alone rose 3.4% in a single year and has crossed into the 7,000-won range.

If you're after the cheapest option, gimbap is still under 4,000 won; for something more filling, kalguksu or a kimchi-jjigae set run in the 9,000-won range, and bibimbap tops 10,000 won — plan your daily food budget around those bands.

Journey stage: During the trip · Verified 2026-11-08