 |
| Jeju Island |
Jeju Island,
one of South Korea’s most popular tourist destinations
is once again in hot water over alleged
overpriced food targeting visitors.
This time, the outrage centers
on a ₩15,000 (about $11) box of stir-fried squid
that turned out to be... almost empty.
 |
| Squid from Jeju |
📦 The “Half-Empty” Squid Box That Sparked the Outrage
A traveler, identified only as A, shared their
experience on the Korean online community Bobaedream.
They said they bought a medium-sized stir-fried squid
from a vendor at Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market,
Jeju’s largest traditional market.
But when they opened the takeout box
at their accommodation, they were shocked,
it was less than half-filled, with just a few pieces
of squid and a drizzle of mayonnaise at the bottom.
Photos posted online show a small portion
that hardly looks worth ₩15,000.
 |
| Too much overpricing |
💢 Netizens React: “Jeju Overpricing Is Out of Control”
The post quickly went viral,
sparking hundreds of angry comments:
-
“They must think tourists won’t come back anyway.”
-
“Jeju’s overpricing is out of control.”
-
“I tried the larger ₩20,000 portion before,
it was still tiny!”
Many travelers say this is not an isolated case
but part of a growing trend of “rip-offs”
at popular tourist spots across Jeju.
 |
| Too much tourists |
📈 Rising Tourist Numbers, Rising Complaints
According to Jeju provincial data, 339,926 tourists
visited the island during the recent Chuseok holiday
an 11% increase compared to last year.
But with the rebound in tourism has come a spike
in complaints about expensive yet disappointing meals.
Just last year, a restaurant drew backlash
for serving pork belly that was “90% fat.”
And in April, another traveler said they paid
₩25,000 for a stir-fried sundae (Korean blood sausage)
that contained only six small pieces.
Reports of ₩4,000 gimbap rolls and fatty pork cuts
continue to surface, deepening frustration among
visitors and tarnishing Jeju’s image.
✈️ My Take as a Traveler
Jeju is stunning — breathtaking nature,
unique markets, and amazing local flavors.
But overpriced food and inconsistent quality
can ruin the entire experience.
As visitors, we should stay alert: check portions
before paying, look for transparent menus,
and share reviews to help others avoid the same traps.
And as locals and business owners,
fair pricing and honesty will go much
further than short-term profits.
Comments
Post a Comment