Food in North Korea is characterized by the fact that the local cuisine is distinctive, satisfying, unique and slightly differs from province to province (it was influenced by culinary traditions originating on the Korean Peninsula).
Food in North Korea
The diet of Koreans consists of seafood (crabs, octopus, cuttlefish, squid, oysters, shrimp), fish (mackerel, croaker, herring, saber fish), meat, soups, vegetables, rice, legumes, soybeans.
Locals use soy to make tofu cheese and soy milk to make various sauces, fermented spices, porridge thickeners and gravies. Whole beans are often served as a side dish. To spice up local dishes, Koreans use Chinese pepper, red hot pepper, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, various vinegars, onions, green, shallots and leeks.
In North Korea, chicken feet (“dakbal”) should be eaten; raw little crabs served with various sauces (“gejan”); soup with seafood, vegetables, herbs and hot pepper paste (“hamultan”); milk porridge ("tarakjuk"); acorn jelly with vegetables and soy sauce ("dotorimuk"); fermented stingray ("hongeo"); boiled sausage made from pork or cow intestines (sundae); dog meat stew (bosintan); chopped rice cakes (chkhaltok); sauerkraut or pickled Korean cabbage ("kimchi"); a dish based on seafood, meat, fish and vegetables, salted and pickled in vinegar or soy sauce ("heh"); fresh soy soup with shellfish and egg yolk (sundubu-chige); Korean kebabs (“bulgogi”).
And those with a sweet tooth will be able to enjoy fruits, candied, boiled in syrup or added to various fruit salads, cookies resembling a walnut in shape (“khodukvacja”).
In North Korea you can eat:
- in cafes and restaurants where you can taste Korean and European cuisine;
- in fast food establishments.
In local establishments, rice is served to guests as an independent dish, in a separate bowl (it is prepared liquid, viscous or crumbly, and other products are also added to it).
Drinks in North Korea
Popular drinks among Koreans are still mineral water, tea, barley or rice teas, herbal infusions ("chha"), fruit punch made from persimmon, pepper, cinnamon, ginger ("sujeongwa"), ginseng vodka ("insam-yu"), rice wine (“makkori”), beer, fruit liqueurs.
Food tour to North Korea
Once you arrive in North Korea, you can go on a walking tour, during which you will live in tents and walk around the country with a backpack on your shoulders. And if you wish, you can get acquainted with the national Korean cuisine by visiting traditional restaurants.
Holidays in North Korea can be combined with tasting of national dishes and sightseeing.
