[Young Journalist Jun Ki Shin] As the cost of ingredients and labor keeps rising, the bunsik (Korean snack food) business, known for its kimbap, a cheap and popular meal for ordinary people, is suffering serious losses. Both small neighborhood shops and big chains are closing down in large numbers, and it seems like even this cheap, easy meal choice is starting to disappear for working people.

According to Tax Statistics Information Service (TASIS) data released by the National Tax Service on the 30th, the number of registered bunsik shop owners across the country was 47,863 as of June this year. This is the 31st month in a row that the number has gone down since it started falling in December 2023. The drop has continued even after the total fell below 50,000 last September.

This is happening because of a mix of higher minimum wages and rising food prices. Since making kimbap takes a lot of hand labor, higher labor costs directly reduce profits. On top of that, strange weather has caused the price of seaweed and leafy vegetables to rise sharply. A survey by the Korea Consumer Agency found that the average price of one roll of kimbap in Seoul last month was 3,869 won, up 6.8% from a year ago, the largest price increase among all eating-out items.

The franchise market is in a similarly difficult situation. According to reports from the Fair Trade Commission, the number of Gobongmin Kimbap stores dropped sharply from 591 in 2020 to 383 this year. Kimgane has also lost stores for five years straight, falling to around 335. Other big brands like Yamsaem Kimbap, Ssada Kimbap, and Barda Kimseonsaeng have also seen fewer stores.

Facing this difficulty, businesses are trying different ways to survive, such as starting "Grab N Go" services for ready-made food, setting up automatic kitchen equipment, and trying to sell in other countries.

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