Whether you like it or not, you may find yourself continuously subjected to a series of reports on the increase in prices of daily necessities. The commonly consumed fruit, the apple, has humorously earned the moniker "gold Apple" due to its current exorbitant selling price. Many consumers, myself included, who have sought more affordable options and turned to online shopping, are now dismayed by the recent announcement from the leading e-commerce company to increase its paid membership service by 58 percent starting in August. Furthermore, the cost of dining out at a restaurant has become so costly that it makes me hesitate to go out. As a result, my compromise is to head to a cost-effective restaurant, even though it requires standing in a long line. A few days ago, I happened to visit a place where I can dine out at relatively cheap prices with so much excitement!

By chance, I spent time in Noryangjin Cupbap Street, located in Noryangjin-Dong of Dongjak-gu, Seoul. Norangjin has long been considered a must-visit destination for foreign tourists, owing to its renowned fish market. But I bet Cupbap Street is unequivocally comparable with the highlight of this neighborhood.

"Cupbap" simply means rice ("bap" means a meal in Korean) in a cup. A variety of delicious foods, such as Bulgogi (marinated slices of beef) Cupbap, Rice noodle Cupbap, Bibimbap Cupbap, and other light meals are sold at roughly 20 food stalls. Toppings, including spam, fried eggs, flying fish roe, and tuna can easily be chosen according to one’s taste. Another exceptional point was that most meals cost less than 5,000 won. In other words, you can sufficiently satisfy your hunger for just 10,000 won, which is equivalent to about 8 US dollars. Remarkably impressive desserts, such as moist pancakes with a hot dog inside and an ice cream amazingly made on an iron plate are available at an inexpensive price with various flavors.

The stalls do not provide you with comfortable chairs or tables. Standing is required. Yet, I bet it is worth eating yummy food standing up and enjoying Korean cuisine on the street. A few wooden benches are available between the stalls. There is a new area with several standing tables and an air conditioner with an air purifier that are meant to provide a pleasant environment to eat. Engaging in conversations with humorous and kind chefs is an added bonus on this street.

These street-side restaurants initially emerged to cater to the needs of students studying in Noryangjin-Dong, where aspiring people gather to prepare for employment and exams. This street emerged from the demand of students seeking to quickly fill their stomachs during their lunch break at a low cost.

As high inflation continues to tighten our budgets each day and soaring prices show no signs of abating, opting to visit this street for an affordable culinary adventure is an appealing choice. With a diverse array of food options available at pocket-friendly prices, it's a decision worth considering. Make sure you come down and see for yourself!

The writer (faith0906@gmail.com) is keen to explore the world outside the office and loves to weave a story of our daily lives.