Top 7 Best Restaurants in North Korea
North Korea, like South Korea, has some excellent Korean cuisine to offer, as well as a diverse (and expanding) selection of other cuisines such as Italian and ... read more...Japanese. With a large number of Chinese visitors visiting each year, there is a clear Chinese influence on many Korean foods in North Korea. Pyongyang, as the capital city, is naturally home to the majority of these international cuisines, as well as some of North Korea's greatest restaurants. But there are some hidden jewels further afield as well! Let’s take a look at the best restaurants in North Korean restaurants around the country!
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When it comes to the best restaurant in North Korea, people will always mention Wonsan Seafood. The restaurant is a little restaurant, but it boasts great service and, most importantly, great cuisine! Meals are presented in the traditional Korean style, with many dishes for sharing amongst the table, and rice and soup are typically provided as the last dish. Meals here feature a range of fresh fish obtained in the waters of the Korean seas since the restaurant specializes in seafood. Fresh crab, scallops, mackerel, squid, and other marine delicacies will be offered here, all prepared to perfection to suit the specific seafood.
Meals do offer non-seafood alternatives for people who aren't keen on seafood, which is normal local Korean fare - a standout, though, is that they provide fries here, which are some of the greatest fries in North Korea. A once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience a Korean spin on fish & chips! The majority of customers will be seated in the restaurant's main area, but smaller parties can also be placed in one of the private dining rooms.
Cuisine: Korean, Seafood
Location: Wonsan -
The Duck BBQ Restaurant is the last gastronomic experience in North Korea for many groups. It's an ideal setting for a goodbye. Not only will you be able to eat Korean BBQ, but it will also be a real community event. In the center of the table, you cook your own meat. Soju is also available.
The Duck BBQ is one of the best restaurants in North Korea. The restaurant is located on the second floor of a two-story structure and serves both locals and visitors. The washrooms are on the first level, to the right, and there is a big canteen-style dining room for local North Koreans. On the second level, there are several private dining rooms as well as two larger canteen-style eating areas. Tourists and local North Koreans (particularly so if they dine there for a special occasion) are treated equally here.
Cuisine: Korean, BBQ
Location: Pyongyang -
One of the most well-known North Korean eateries, if not THE most well-known. Okryugwan is the most well-known Pyongyang Cold Noodle Restaurant in North Korea, and hence most likely in the world. As the name implies, this restaurant serves Korean cuisine. Pyongyang Cold Noodles, to be exact. And, as the name implies, these are noodles served cold. And it's delicious! If cold noodles aren't your style, it's worth a visit only to see the majestic decor of the restaurant and, in the end, have Pyongyang's best ice cream.
There are 20 dining rooms, a function hall with 300 seats, and 80 chairs on the terrace. The inside is incredibly magnificent and spectacular, with the banquet hall being the most impressive and always packed with Koreans. Koreans will queue outside on a ticketed system to gain in, or they may make a reservation in advance.
Rating: 4/5
Cuisine: Korean, Cold Noodles
Location: Pyongyang -
One of the best restaurants in Pyongyang, North Korea, is known for its head chef Kenji Fujimoto. There are several legends about Kenji Fujimoto, who was formerly said to be Kim Jong Un's personal chef. Do a Google search for his name or learn more about him right now. Kenji Fujimoto's restaurant provides a large choice of sushi, sushi sets, bento boxes, and pretty much anything else you'd expect from a sushi restaurant anyplace else. It's a touch pricy but worth it for a special treat. It is only accessible by reservation, and it is best to reserve ahead of time due to limited seating.
You have to travel upstairs, then upstairs again to access this modest, pleasant restaurant nestled away at the rear, which is located immediately next to the top class "Rakwon Department Store" within the building to the right of it.
Note: it’s not certain that Kenji Fujimoto will be here. There are also other chefs working.Cuisine: Japanese
Location: Pyongyang -
The KITC Restaurant No.2 is a popular stop for tour groups. The staff is courteous, the location is convenient, and there is a fantastic souvenir shop below. Oh, and the food is delicious! You may choose between Bibimbap and Pyongyang Cold Noodles here - the Bibimbap is excellent, therefore we highly suggest it! In addition to the main course, there will be a variety of side dishes that are Korean/Chinese influenced or traditional Chinese dishes with a Korean twist.
KITC No.2 is a Korean International Travel Company-owned and managed a restaurant in Pyongyang that caters largely to international visitors. After passing through the souvenir store on the main floor, guests can proceed upstairs to be met with a chamber of circular tables, each seating around six people. There's also a cheerful waiter on hand to greet you as you go in and give you a drink of beer, juice, or makkoli.One of the best restaurants in North Korea, this restaurant with a spot to acquire a substantial bowl of Bibimbap or to try Pyongyang's signature dish, Cold Noodles' Naengmyon', a delightful meal that is normally saved for festivities (though your trip to North Korea might be considered a celebration!). Chinese tour groups are frequently seen in the restaurant enjoying their local specialty, hot pot, which adds an amazing combination of cultures to the eatery.
Cuisine: Korean, Chinese fusion
Location: Pyongyang -
The Tiongil Restaurant in Kaesong's most well-known dining establishment. It is called from the Korean term Tongil, which means "reunification" (literally "with one"). This has been a deeply held and critical concept in the DPRK since its inception; unity of the north and south of Korea, of the entire peninsula, has tragically eluded Korea for decades, and while there are moments of optimism here and there, it appears that the tide against the realization of this dream is too strong to make it a reality any time soon.
The restaurant is separated into two spacious dining rooms, each with circular tables that can seat up to 10 or 12 people. There are also several smaller dining rooms for more private gatherings. It can be a little chilly here in the winter due to the high ceilings and the building's age, but that's a little price to pay for a lunch in the heart of town, after all!
Cuisine: Korean (Pansangi Royal Meal)
Location: Kaesong
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Consider a North Korean Samtaesong Hamburger is a fast-food restaurant franchise with three locations in Pyongyang. It began in 2009 as a cooperative enterprise with a group of Singaporean businesspeople and currently serves visitors and North Koreans alike. Samtaesong Hamburger is one of the best restaurants in North Korea, you should come here to enjoy a variety of hamburgers
Here, you can choose from a wide range of hamburgers, and get some fries to go with your order too. There’s a large board up at the back showing various different kinds of burgers you can get. Although, like most places around the world, what you get looks a tad different from the photo. If you’re feeling like you’re cheating a little bit, you can get some Korean side dishes too to wash down your guilt.
Cuisine: American/Asian Fusion
Location: Pyongyang