Buffet service at Seoul's Heliocity apartment complex shuts down after contractor exits

A buffet spread. This photo is not directly related to the article. [123rf]

A meal service at Heliocity, a 9,500-unit apartment complex in Garak-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, has been suspended after the contracted operator ended its agreement with the complex.

According to the real estate industry Thursday, the contractor posted a notice at the restaurant informing residents that operations would cease after July 2, following the expiration of its contract. The company declined to re-bid, bringing the restaurant to a halt.

The complex said the closure was a temporary measure tied to restoration work on the cafeteria facility, but industry observers say the operator likely suffered significant losses due to high labor and ingredient costs relative to the low meal prices it charged.

For the past two years, the contractor had offered lunch for 9,000 won ($6) and dinner for 10,000 won — strikingly low prices by Seoul standards. Meals were served buffet-style, with diners allowed up to 50 minutes per visit.

The buffet offered an average of 50 to 60 dishes per meal, including seasoned side dishes and main courses. Photos of the spread circulated widely in online communities, drawing attention for its value.

In the early days, the service drew long queues at every mealtime. Over time, however, usage declined to the point where walk-ins were easily accommodated without a reservation.

Some residents were also heard grumbling that while 9,000 to 10,000 won might not seem expensive compared with eating out, it was too steep for a meal service provided within an apartment complex.

Heliocity apartment complex in Garak-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul [Herald DB]

The prolonged conflict in the Middle East has pushed up food and raw material prices, adding to the operator's financial strain. With meal prices frozen at levels set two years ago, the business model is believed to have deteriorated steadily — a vicious cycle in which losses only grew the longer the service ran.

The conduct of some diners also drew criticism. One user on a real estate community forum wrote that some customers paid for a single portion while loading up two or three people's worth of food, or quietly packed meals to take home. "With ingredient costs through the roof, it was simply impossible for the operator to survive once self-interest crossed the line from reasonable consumption," the user wrote.

A Heliocity complex official rebuffed claims that the restaurant had closed due to financial difficulties. "The existing operator, Jun Food & Culture, chose not to re-bid, and a new company called Seongsu Haneul has already come on board," the official said. "We plan to resume restaurant operations as soon as we receive the necessary permit from the Songpa-gu district office."

bbo@heraldcorp.com