Tomorrow Is Samgyeopsal Day: Emart & Lotte Mart 50% Off, Nonghyup 100g for ₩1,990 — The Complete Guide to March 3rd '3·3 Day'
On March 3rd, Korea's '3·3 (Samgyeopsal) Day,' major retailers including Emart, Lotte Mart, and GS Retail are offering up to 50% off pork belly and shoulder. Nonghyup is running a special at ₩1,990 per 100g on Handong Mall, and the government is supporting up to ₩5,000 in additional discounts at certified restaurants — making it a great opportunity for a budget-friendly meat party despite high inflation.
Why You Need to Read This Now? Once today (3/2) is over, tomorrow (3/3) is 'Samgyeopsal Day.' If you don't want to miss the one-day-only half-price chance, open your shopping cart right now.
TL;DR
- March 3rd is '3·3 Day' — supermarkets, convenience stores, and restaurants nationwide are offering up to 50% off samgyeopsal (pork belly)
- Emart & Kim's Club at ₩1,290/100g, Lotte Mart at ₩1,390/100g, Nonghyup Lively at ₩1,990/100g special price
- The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs supports ₩500~₩5,000 additional discounts at 516 certified Handonsik restaurants and butcher shops nationwide
- Targeting two birds with one stone: boosting domestic pork (Handon) consumption amid high inflation + supporting producers
- Additional perks for advance purchase/reservation… Act today
What Is Samgyeopsal Day?
'Samgyeopsal Day' takes its name from the numbers 3 and 3 (March 3rd), which sound like "sam-gyeop" in Korean. It was created in 2003 by pig farmers and the distribution industry to promote pork consumption, and has now become a nationwide 'meat party season' that everyone knows and enjoys.
In 2026, March 3rd coincides with Jeongwol Daeboreum (the first full moon of the lunar new year), making the unusual combination of 'grilling samgyeopsal under the moon' a hot topic on social media. With a total lunar eclipse (Blood Moon) beginning at 8:04 PM on March 3rd, this year's Samgyeopsal Day will be extra special.
🛒 Retailer Discount Overview
| Retailer | Sale Price (per 100g) | Period | Key Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emart & Kim's Club | ₩1,290 | ~3/3 | Payment with 5 partner cards |
| Lotte Mart | ₩1,390 | ~3/3 | Includes membership discount |
| GS Retail | ₩2,380 | During March | Applied during event period |
| Nonghyup Lively | ₩1,990 | 3/3 only | Handong Mall & Lively stores |
| Handong Mall (online) | Up to 50% off | 3/3~17 | All pork belly & shoulder items |
⚠️ Limited stock → Early morning visits are essential. Some stores have a per-person purchase limit, so check in advance.
🍽️ Restaurant & Butcher Shop Discounts
- 516 locations of certified Handon restaurants and butcher shops nationwide participating
- Period: March 3rd ~ March 22nd (3 weeks)
- Discount: Up to ₩5,000 off Handon menu items, or up to ₩500 per 100g
- How to find: 'Handong Mall' app or the Korea Pork Promotional Institute website
Why Such Big Discounts? — The Viral Mechanism
1. Consumer Sentiment Weakened by High Inflation
As of February 2026, dining-out prices rose 3~5% year-over-year. In an era when a McDonald's Big Mac combo costs ₩7,600 and a roll of kimbap in Seoul costs ₩3,800, 'half-price samgyeopsal' is a powerful incentive for consumers.
2. Supporting the Domestic Pork Industry
With over 20 cumulative cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) in 2026, pig farmers face growing financial pressure. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs leverages Samgyeopsal Day to simultaneously stabilize Handon supply and support farmer incomes.
3. SNS & Community Amplification
Every year, starting the day before Samgyeopsal Day, posts asking 'where's the cheapest deal?' flood online communities. In the process, consumers voluntarily promote the event, generating a viral marketing effect.
🗓️ Longevity & Outlook
Samgyeopsal Day discounts are basically a one-day event (3/3), but Handong Mall and certified restaurants offer extended benefits through March 22nd. As an annually repeated event, brand awareness is strong, and the number of participating retailers and restaurants grows each year.
✅ Today's Action Checklist
References
- Ministry of Agriculture Samgyeopsal Day Press Release (korea.kr)
- Yonhap News – March 3rd Samgyeopsal Day
- Chosun Ilbo – Pork Belly & Shoulder 'Half Price' Sale
- Emart & Lotte Mart 3/3 Event Guide (thetablesetter blog)
Image Credit: Samgyeopsal-gui, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0