Gimbap prices in Busan have risen faster than any other major restaurant menu item over the past year, driven by higher costs for staple ingredients including rice, eggs, and seaweed.

According to the Korea Consumer Agency’s Price Information Portal, the average price of a roll of gimbap in Busan reached 3,543 won in June, up 11.2% from 3,186 won a year earlier. Among the eight commonly tracked restaurant menu items, gimbap recorded the largest annual price increase.

Other menu items also became more expensive, although at a slower rate. The average price of bibimbap rose 6.1% to 9,686 won, followed by samgyeopsal (5.4%) at 18,175 won per 200 grams, kimchi stew (5.4%) at 8,429 won, naengmyeon (5.1%) at 11,857 won, samgyetang (3.4%) at 17,286 won, kalguksu (2.7%) at 8,071 won, and jajangmyeon (0.4%) at 7,000 won.

Gimbap prices have steadily increased over the past 18 months in Busan, rising four times from an average of 3,000 won in January 2025 to 3,543 won by June 2026.

The trend has been seen nationwide.

In Seoul, the average price of a roll of gimbap reached 3,838 won, making it the most expensive city for the popular meal.

It was followed by Gwangju (3,720 won), Gyeonggi Province (3,707 won), Gyeongnam (3,669 won), Incheon (3,633 won), Jeju (3,625 won), Busan (3,543 won), and Ulsan (3,500 won).

The increases have largely been attributed to rising ingredient costs.

Fleet Chinhae

USAG Daegu

Korean