Yeongdeok Market's 7,000 Won Set Menu: The Meaning of 'My Way' Pricing That Changes with Market Conditions

A set meal restaurant in Yeongdeok Market, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is drawing attention for its unique operating method of flexibly adjusting prices and menu compositions according to market conditions. Instead of a fixed menu, the restaurant adopts a method of determining the composition and price of the set meal based on the ingredients available to procure from the market that day.

'My Way' Set Meal Composition That Changes According to Market Supply and Demand

The restaurant owner in the video revealed that the price of the set meal is not fixed. The owner explained, "It is a set meal where the composition of side dishes and the price change depending on the ingredients sold at the market," stating that the menu is decided based on the situation when buying ingredients from the market. Accordingly, the price can also fluctuate from 5,000 won to 6,000 won, or even up to 7,000 won in special cases. The owner shared that deciding the menu according to market conditions is her way, saying, "I can give [certain items] if I collect them, or I can give [others], and I can even give spicy fish stew." The owner added that her operating policy is to decide the price and composition "my way."

7,000 Won Composition Served with Cauldron Rice and Grilled Fish

The set meal served at the 7,000 won price point included a heaped portion of rice cooked in a cauldron along with various fish dishes. In the video, a flounder the size of a cushion, raw mackerel grilled with soy sauce seasoning, and spicy grilled red snapper are seen being served. In particular, the grilled mackerel is characterized by being accompanied by a seasoning sauce mixed with soy sauce, salt, garlic, sesame oil, and red pepper powder. Additionally, anchovy jeotgal (salted anchovies) was provided as a side dish and used during the meal. The anchovy jeotgal was served in a style where anchovies are cut and mixed with pepper, red pepper powder, sesame seeds, and sesame oil, allowing it to be enjoyed with rice. The grilled mackerel is raw mackerel that continues the tradition of Yeongdeok's salted mackerel that used to be sent to Andong, and it is characterized by being served with seasoning sauce applied.

The Sentiment of a Market Restaurant and Everyday Conversation

During the meal, everyday conversations of the restaurant owner's family continued. The owner shared her family history, revealing that her husband is a person of the market courtyard and she is from Beolgyo, Jeolla Province, including the process of raising four children until they became independent last January. The owner mentioned her experience running a daycare center to raise the children. Regarding the restaurant operation, joking conversations took place about how her daughter's cooking skills are a mess, creating the warm and friendly atmosphere unique to market restaurants. As a restaurant located within the market, it revealed an operating style unique to the market where the menu is decided by the day's volume and ingredients rather than fixed standards.