Tag: eating out

eating out

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A Chinese restaurant that urges solo diners to order at least two dishes since the shop does ″not sell loneliness″ has faced criticism online after a social media user uploaded a photo of its sign on Nov. 10. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

'We don’t sell loneliness': Restaurant faces backlash for rejecting solo diners

A restaurant’s notice rejecting solo diners under the slogan “We don’t sell loneliness” has stirred debate online, drawing criticism over what many saw as outdated views on eating alone.

2025.11.12

A customer eats alone at a restaurant in Seoul on Jan. 4, 2024. [YONHAP]

Solo diners are on the rise, but restaurants still say 'no soup for you'

Solo dining is on the rise as single-person households and budget-conscious consumption increases, but the restaurant industry isn't moving at the same pace, with some establishments turning away diners seeking to eat alone.

2025.9.10

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A pedestrian walks by a store selling naengmyeon (cold noodles) in Mapo District, western Seoul, on June 17. [YONHAP]

Prices of naengmyeon and samgyetang climb again in Seoul

The cost of popular restaurant dishes in Seoul rose again in July, with naengmyeon (cold noodles) and samgyetang (chicken ginseng soup) leading the seasonal increase.

2025.8.20

Restaurant menus are displayed on a street in Myeong-dong, central Seoul, on March 16. [NEWS1]

Consumers tighten the belt on dining out, eating in on soaring food prices

Spending on both dining out and eating at home dropped for the first time since the collection of relevant data started in 2005.

2025.5.5

A restaurant in Myeong-dong, central Seoul, displays its menu and prices on April 6. [NEWS1]

Home for the holiday dinner: Rising restaurant prices squeeze households

Soaring restaurant prices send would-be diners back home to cook, as the cost of eating out climbed 2.1 percent on year in April.

2025.5.4

A pedestrian walks by a Chinese restaurant with a picture of jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles) in Seoul on Nov. 12. Jjajangmyeon prices rose by 5 percent in November compared to January of this year, according to the Korea Consumer Agency. [NEWS1]

Dining out takes bigger bite out of wallet with 4% hike for favorites

Korea's favorite restaurant meals rose around 4 percent over last year, with gimbap up 5.3 percent and fried chicken up 5.2 percent.

2024.12.16

Bottles of soju are displayed at a convenience store in Seoul. Major convenience store chains including CU, GS25, 7-Eleven and Emart24 lowered their prices for the liquor by 200 to 300 won on Tuesday. [NEWS1]

Convenience stores slash soju prices, but restaurants hold firm

Soju prices are falling at Korea's convenience stores and supermarkets, but restaurants are reluctant to do the same amid rising operational costs.

2024.1.3

A restaurant sign in Myeongdong showing samgyeopsal (pork belly) [NEWS1]

Rising prices put a damper on year-end parties in Korea

Rising prices in Korea are affecting year-end parties, with people opting for cheaper meals and skipping second rounds of drinks.

2023.12.10

Customers gather at a pocha, or outdoors food stall, where people usually go to enjoy a drink with their food. Picture taken at Euljiro, central Seoul in April 2022. [NEWS1]

Fearing customer backlash, restaurants stay put on soju prices

Prices for HiteJinro’s soju and beer brands rose on Thursday, but restaurants in Seoul have hesitated to raise prices on soju sold in-store despite the increased costs.

2023.11.10

A restaurant in Seoul in Seoul. Many restaurants are raising price amid increased burdened on utility bills and inflation. [YONHAP]

Rising lunch prices burning a hole in worker wallets

Workers are gradually returning to their offices as the Covid-19 pandemic comes to a close, but their wallets are taking a hit with rising lunch prices, or so-called lunchflation.

2023.2.17