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North Korean cuisine

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Various North Korean dishes and foods

North Korean cuisine is the traditional culinary practices and dishes of North Korea. Its foundations are laid by the agricultural and nomadic traditions in southern Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula. Some dishes are shared by the two Koreas; however, availability and quality of Northern cuisine is much more significantly affected by sociopolitical class divides.

Historically, Korean cuisine has evolved through centuries of social and political change. Originating in ancient agricultural and nomadic traditions in southern Manchuria and the Korean Peninsula, it has gone through a complex interaction of the natural environment and different cultural trends.[1] Rice dishes and kimchi are staple Korean foods. In a traditional meal, they accompany both side dishes (panch'an) and main courses like chuk (porridge), pulgogi (grilled meat) or myŏn (noodles). Soju liquor is the best-known traditional Korean spirit.[2]

North Korean cuisine

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P'yŏngyang-raengmyŏn (평양랭면/평양냉면) is a cold noodle dish.

Some North Korean dishes and foods are also prepared in South Korea, and many dishes that originated in North Korea were brought to South Korea by migrating families after the Korean War.[3] Many of these imported dishes became staples in the South Korean diet.[3]

The most popular dish that originates in North Korea is called naengmeyon (냉면) in South Korea and raengmyŏn (랭면) in North Korea.[citation needed] The most popular type of naengmyeon is called P'yŏngyang-raengmyŏn (평양냉면) .[citation needed] It is usually served in a big and deep bowl with beef, pheasant, or tongchi'mi broth. It is usually served with cold hand-pulled buckwheat noodles in the cold broth, topped with pickled radish, eggs etc.[citation needed] It is usually sided with vinegar and a diluted mustard seed condiment/oil. A different yet popular version of raengmyŏn originates from Hamhung, the hoe raengmyŏn (회 랭면). Hoe raengmyŏn is pibim raengmyŏn with additional marinated raw fish (hoe), usually skate. It is eaten with koch'ujang and other ingredients mixed. Vinegar, sugar, and sometimes sesame oil is added according to taste. The noodles of Hamhŭng raengmyŏn are typically made from potato or sweet potato starch, causing them to be chewier.[citation needed]

The flavors of some North Korean dishes differ from South Korean versions, with some being less spicy and more varied in composition than South Korean preparations.[4][5] North Korean dishes have been described as having a specific tanginess that is derived from using ingredients with flavors of sweet, sour, pungent and spicy, in combinations that create this effect.[6]

Some restaurants, particularly in Pyongyang, have expensive pricing relative to average worker wages in North Korea.[7][8] North Korean citizens typically cannot afford restaurants.[7][8] Per their pricing, upscale restaurants are typically available only to well-paid leaders of the North Korean government, tourists visiting the country, and the emerging affluent middle class of tonju (돈주) in the country.[9][10] Tonju means "masters of money", and the tonju typically hold positions in the government, positions operating state-owned businesses outside of the country, and positions involving bringing investments and the importation of products into the country.[11][12][13][14]

Some street foods exist in North Korea, such as in Pyongyang, where vendors operate food stalls.[15][16][17] The first pizzeria in North Korea opened in 2009.[18] Alcoholic beverages are produced and consumed in North Korea, and the country's legal drinking age is 18.[19]

North Korean dishes and foods

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An example of kajami shik'ae, a fermented and salted food prepared in North Korea using flounder
An example of kimbap
An example of chokbal
Raengmyŏn served at Okryu-gwan restaurant in Pyongyang, North Korea
  • Noodles and noodle dishes[30] – in North Korean culture, long noodles represent a long life or a long marriage, and long noodles are served to people at weddings.[27]
    • Beef noodle soup[25]
    • Corn noodles[31][32]
    • Raengmyŏn – referred to as "naengmyeon" in South Korea, it is a traditional Korean cold noodle dish that is prepared using buckwheat noodles in North Korea.
    • Ramyŏn – referred to as "curly noodles" or "kkoburang-kuksu" (꼬부랑국수) in North Korea.[31] Shin Ramyun is a brand of instant noodles produced in South Korea that is nicknamed "money ramen" in North Korea, due to its relatively expensive pricing in North Korea at around 800 won per unit.[31] In 2009, boxes of Shin Ramyun that contain twenty packages of ramen per box cost around 30,000 North Korean won, which in North Korea is expensive, and therefore not available to most North Korean citizens at this price.[a]
    • Rice noodles[24]
P'ajŏn: pictured is haemulp'ajŏn, a seafood scallion pancake
  • P'ajǒn[25]
  • Panch'an – side dishes that accompany full meals, panch'an dishes are typically spicy, salty or tangy, and many are fermented, which adds flavor.[5] Restaurants in North Korea typically charge for these accompaniments.[25]
    • Pansangi – an arrangement of different foods and side dishes such as rice, broth, fermented vegetables and sometimes meat. It is a popular method of food preparation in Kaesong.
An example of kangjǒng
  • North Korean dishes and foods
  • Tangogikuk
    Tangogikuk
  • Tolsot pibimpap
    Tolsot pibimpap
  • Unseasoned tot'orimuk
    Unseasoned tot'orimuk
  • Mapo tofu originated in China, and is consumed in North Korea
    Mapo tofu originated in China, and is consumed in North Korea
  • Ttŏk in Pyongyang, North Korea
    Ttŏk in Pyongyang, North Korea
  • Yakpap
    Yakpap
  • Some typical foods in North Korea
    Some typical foods in North Korea
  • Street food vendors in Pyongyang, North Korea
    Street food vendors in Pyongyang, North Korea
  • Dried pollock at the Rakwon Paradise Microbrewery. Dried pollock is a typical bar snack in some areas of North Korea.
    Dried pollock at the Rakwon Paradise Microbrewery. Dried pollock is a typical bar snack in some areas of North Korea.
  • Lunch at a restaurant in Pyongyang
    Lunch at a restaurant in Pyongyang
  • Lunch at a restaurant in Kaesong
    Lunch at a restaurant in Kaesong
  • North Korean foods
    North Korean foods
  • Foods at a restaurant in Pyongyang
    Foods at a restaurant in Pyongyang
  • Covered dishes at Tongil restaurant in Kaesong
    Covered dishes at Tongil restaurant in Kaesong
  • Dishes at Tongil restaurant in Kaesong
    Dishes at Tongil restaurant in Kaesong
  • A North Korean propaganda poster stating, "Breed more rabbits and let our soldiers enjoy plentiful food!"
    A North Korean propaganda poster stating, "Breed more rabbits and let our soldiers enjoy plentiful food!"

Condiments

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Koch'ujang is a red chili pepper paste

Some condiments used in North Korea to add flavor to foods are listed below.

Beverages

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Taech'u-ch'a tea
  • Bottled water is imported from China, and is typically consumed by the donju, "the new affluent middle class" in North Korea.[9] "Shindŏk' Saemmul" is a spring water produced in North Korea, but it is exported to countries in Southeast Asia, and is typically not available in the North Korean market.[9]
  • Coffee[40]
  • Ginseng tea – a common beverage in North Korea[42]
  • Soft drinks – soft drink bottlers exist in North Korea, such as the Wonbong Trading Co. in Pyongyang.[43] Soft drink products produced within North Korea are sometimes labeled as "carbonated sweet water".[17] Sometime in 2017, Air Koryo, North Korea's flagship airline, began offering its own brand of soft drinks on flights to and from Beijing, China.[43][44] Air Koryo soft drinks are also sold at some North Korean grocery stores.[41] Coca-Cola bottled in China is available in upscale grocery stores in Pyongyang, and Pepsi bottled in China is also available, although it is rare compared to Coca-Cola's availability.[43]
  • Ryongjin Cocoa – a North Korean own brand cola made and canned in the country
  • Taech'u-ch'a – a traditional Korean tea prepared with jujube and a pine nut garnish[22][45]
  • Coffee beans and an espresso machine at a coffee shop located next to the Pyongyang Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea
    Coffee beans and an espresso machine at a coffee shop located next to the Pyongyang Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea
  • A coffee drink at Helmut Sachers Kaffee in Pyongyang, North Korea
    A coffee drink at Helmut Sachers Kaffee in Pyongyang, North Korea

Alcoholic beverages

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See also: Korean alcoholic beverages and Beer in North Korea

Alcoholic beverages are consumed in North Korea, and drinking is a part of the culture of North Korea.[46] North Korea's legal drinking age is 18, but minors are sometimes allowed to consume alcoholic beverages, and some shop keepers readily sell them alcoholic drinks.[19] Some North Koreans brew and distill alcoholic beverages at home, despite such home alcohol production being forbidden in North Korea, and some sell these beverages to markets, although this is also illegal.[19] Home brewed liquor is made using ingredients such as potatoes and corn.[19] Some North Korean consumers purchase alcoholic beverages directly from alcohol-producing factories in the country, using cash.[19] In recent times, imported Chinese liquor has been allowed to be sold in markets, and a well-known Chinese liquor purveyed in North Korea is Kaoliang Liquor, which has a 46–50% alcohol content.[19]

North Korea has some bars and other drinking establishments, and in recent times, beer halls have become popular in Pyongyang.[47][48][19]

A glass of Taedonggang pilsner beer
  • Beer is produced in North Korea, and craft beer production has increased in recent times.[49] The major breweries in the country are Taedonggang Brewing Company, Paradise Microbrewery and the Yanggakdo Hotel Microbrewery.[50] In August 2016, the Taedonggang Brewing Company held the country's first beer festival, which included several Taedonggang varieties and other local beers.[51][52] Local beers at the festival included rice beer and dark beers.[51]
    • Beer brands produced in North Korea
      • Pohak
      • Ponghak
      • Pyongyang
      • Rakwon ("Paradise")
      • Ryongsong
      • Samgak ("Delta")
      • Taedonggang – brewed by the state-owned Taedonggang Brewing Company based in Pyongyang[22] In 2017, Taedonggang was the most popular beer in North Korea.[27]
  • Makkŏlli – a specialty rice wine with a milky appearance, it is common in the countryside of North Korea[22][27] Makgeolli is produced using the same process used for the production of soju, and typically has a lower alcohol content compared to soju.[27] It is considered by some to be inferior compared to soju.[27]
  • Rice liquor – rice-based liquor is consumed by more North Koreans compared to beer.[53]
  • Rice wine – glutinous rice wine is a specialty alcoholic beverage in North Korea[21]
  • Soju – referred to as nongtaegi in North Korea, soju is a clear specialty spirit prepared from sweet potato or barley in North Korea.[19][25][22] It is similar to sake.[22] In North Korea, soju's alcohol content ranges from 18 to 25 percent.[27]
  • Whisky – in 2019 North Korea created its first batch of homemade whisky. Samilpo Whisky has been designed to resemble Johnnie Walker to aid brand recognition for North Koreans[54]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "In North Korea it is only the high-ranking government officials and military officers who can afford to give and receive boxes of Shin Ramyun as a present," – stated to Radio Free Asia by a Seoul-based North Korean defector.[33]

References

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  2. ^ "Food". Korean Culture and Information Service. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
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  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Dixon, Laura (September 15, 2010). "Common Food in North Korea". USA Today. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
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  9. ^ a b c Song Ah, Seol (September 30, 2014). "Bottled Water Gaining Popularity in Markets". Daily NK. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  10. ^ Song Min, Choi (December 9, 2015). "North Korea's nouveau riche spend like there's no tomorrow". Daily NK. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  11. ^ Pearson, James; Park, Ju-min (June 4, 2015). "Pyongyang Bling - The rise of North Korea's consumer comrades". Reuters UK. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  12. ^ Fifield, Anna (May 14, 2016). "North Korea's one-percenters savor life in 'Pyonghattan'". Washington Post. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  13. ^ "Bread and circuses". The Economist. August 6, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  14. ^ Sang-Hun, Choe (April 30, 2017). "As Economy Grows, North Korea's Grip on Society Is Tested". The New York Times. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
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  29. ^ "Nampo Petrol Clams". TasteAtlas. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  30. ^ a b Le, Kyle (March 21, 2016). "My Surreal Experience Eating In A North Korean Restaurant". The Huffington Post. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
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  34. ^ Krishnamoorthy, Nandini (February 10, 2017). "North Korea marks Kim Jong-il's birthday in style with pheasant meatball soup and cocktails". International Business Times UK. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
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  36. ^ Faratin, Pejman (February 25, 2014). "Dog meat or "Dan go gi" in North Korean expression, is placed on a table at a famous restaurant in Pyongyang". Metro. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  37. ^ Winter, Stuart (August 16, 2016). "Now Kim Jong-un wants North Koreans to eat DOG for 'stamina food'". Daily Express. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
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  39. ^ Makinen, Julie (May 4, 2016). "A North Korean farm may not be what it appears". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  40. ^ "Coffee shops are latest luxury in North Korean capital". News.com.au. April 6, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  41. ^ a b Wong, Sue-Lin; Pearson, James (May 11, 2017). "Here's what it's like inside a North Korean grocery store". Business Insider. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  42. ^ "Meet the North Korea Apologist Who Opened a Cafe to Spread the 'Truth' About North Korea". Vice. October 22, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  43. ^ a b c Talmadge, Eric (April 20, 2017). "Coca-Cola bubbling up in North Korea - and it's (usually not) the Real Thing". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  44. ^ Wong, Sue-Lin; Pearson, James (May 8, 2017). "Made in North Korea: As tougher sanctions loom, more local goods in stores". Reuters. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  45. ^ 헤럴드경제 (February 18, 2011). "Korean teas, not just green". The Korea Herald. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  46. ^ Kim, M. (2010). Escaping North Korea: Defiance and Hope in the World's Most Repressive Country. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 42. ISBN 978-0-7425-5733-8. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  47. ^ Fullerton, Jamie (March 29, 2017). "Munchies in North Korea: Sinking Pints in Pyongyang's Beer Bars". Vice. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  48. ^ Hunwick, Robert Foyle (September 4, 2013). "Getting Drunk in North Korea". The Atlantic. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  49. ^ Volodzko, David (August 11, 2016). "The Rise of South Korea's Craft Brewing Scene". Vice. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  50. ^ Steadman, Ian (May 12, 2017). "'Kim Jong-Ale': North Korea's surprising microbrewery culture explored". Wired UK. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  51. ^ a b Ji, Dagyum (August 16, 2016). "Plastered in Pyongyang: North Korea launches its first beer festival". The Guardian. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  52. ^ Evans, Stephen (September 12, 2016). "Sneaking a taste of North Korea's finest beer". BBC News. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  53. ^ Herskovitz, Jon (March 10, 2008). "Brewing beer, Communist style, in North Korea". The New York Times. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  54. ^ "North Korea launches its own whisky". BBC News. May 27, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2020.

Further reading

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