North Korean Cuisine

The food of North Korea belongs to the same rich and ancient tradition as all Korean cuisine, shaped by the northern regions' cooler climate and local ingredients. Its most celebrated dish is Pyongyang naengmyeon, chilled buckwheat noodles served in a cold, tangy broth, a specialty of the capital famous across the whole peninsula. The northern table also features hearty stews, grilled meats, an abundance of kimchi and pickled vegetables, savoury pancakes and rice dishes. Sampled at restaurants on organised tours, it offers a genuine taste of a cuisine shared, like the sacred mountain of Paektu, by all Koreans.

The main sights

• Pyongyang naengmyeon - the famous chilled buckwheat noodles.
• The stews and grills - the hearty northern stews and grilled meat.
• Kimchi - the abundance of kimchi and pickled vegetables.
• The savoury pancakes - the traditional Korean pancakes and rice dishes.

When to go

Year-round; for visitors, meals are provided at restaurants as part of organised tours, so the food accompanies the sights of any itinerary. Pyongyang's famous cold noodles are the signature dish to look out for, especially refreshing in the warmer months.

Good to know

Food is experienced at restaurants set into an organised tour programme rather than sought out freely, so the range is somewhat set. As a genuine and ancient branch of the beloved Korean culinary tradition, though, from Pyongyang's famous cold noodles to hearty stews and kimchi, the cuisine offers a real and meaningful taste of a shared Korean heritage.

Nearby

Meals accompany the monuments of Pyongyang and other stops on any tour.