The Jajangmyeon Index: A Delicious Way to Track Korea's Inflation
Realized Inflation: The Noodle Test
Economists use the Consumer Price Index (CPI), but regular people use the cost of lunch. In South Korea, the pricing of Jajangmyeon (black bean noodles) has been the unofficial barometer of the middle-class economy for over 50 years. The Ahoxy Jajangmyeon Index helps you visualize how inflation has eroded or shaped the Korean currency’s value through the lens of a single, beloved dish.
Jajangmyeon Index
Measuring inflation through noodles
How much was a bowl of Jajangmyeon?
Enter an amount and select a year to see how inflation has affected your empty stomach.
Why a Noodle Index?
- Tangible Economics: Percentage points of inflation feel abstract; losing two bowls of noodles for the same price tag feels real.
- Historical Comparison: See how the minimum wage from 1990 compares to today when measured in “Jajangmyeon units.”
- Localized Insight: This index captures domestic supply chain costs (flour, pork, labor) more accurately than global manufacturing indices.
The Theory of Purchasing Power Parity
Just like the famous “Big Mac Index,” our tool uses a standardized commodity to help you understand what your money is actually worth. If the price of Jajangmyeon has tripled, but your savings haven’t, you’ve experienced a significant loss in real-world wealth.
A Trip Down Memory Lane:
Did you know that in the 1980s, a bowl cost just 500 KRW? Today, it’s over 7,000 KRW. Use our tool to calculate your personalized “Noodle Purchasing Power” across different eras of Korean history.
Experience economics with a side of culture. Try the Jajangmyeon Index today!