A newly opened international food hall in Ulsan faced immediate criticism over high prices on its opening day, raising questions about whether public subsidies are benefiting consumers.
The Ulsan Metropolitan Government opened the World Food Culture Hall on Ulsan Bridge on the 10th, featuring restaurants from six countries including Italy, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Mexico, and Uzbekistan. The facility, housed in four temporary structures, aims to provide hometown cuisine for foreign residents and cultural experiences for local citizens.
However, prices at the venue drew sharp criticism. A pepperoni pizza at the Italian restaurant was priced at 36,000 won ($26), while Thai fried rice cost 15,500 won and a Mexican bowl 14,500 won. Citizens noted such prices would be prohibitive for foreign workers at Ulsan's industrial complexes.
The price issue surfaced during the opening ceremony itself. Restaurant operators explained that pizza sold by the slice would cost 9,000 won per quarter. Ulsan Mayor Kim Du-kyum reportedly acknowledged that "adjustments are needed given criticism that prices are too high."
Rental terms also drew scrutiny. Monthly rent for tenants is reportedly around 300,000 won—approximately one-tenth of rates in the nearby Seongnam-dong commercial district. While the city said it set low rents to create a cultural space using public assets, critics argue that businesses receiving public support and rental subsidies should pass those benefits on to consumers through lower prices.
Observers also noted the absence of Chinese and Filipino cuisine, despite nationals from those countries comprising the majority of Ulsan's 36,000 foreign residents.
This is not the first time food-focused public events have sparked pricing controversies. Last May, the "2025 World Ramen Festival" in Busan's Gijang Osiria Tourist Complex charged 10,000 won admission and advertised 2,200 varieties of ramen from 15 countries, but visitors found only a few domestic and foreign options available. Complaints included malfunctioning hot water dispensers and parking fees despite promises of free parking. The event's rating on portal sites plummeted to 0.7 out of 5, and the organizer disappeared without paying vendors, triggering a mass withdrawal of participating businesses.
As pricing and operational failures continue to plague publicly-supported food events, calls are growing for verification systems before such events launch. For the Ulsan World Food Culture Hall, ongoing oversight of pricing and operations is warranted given the public subsidies involved.
