20 Best Places to Eat in North Korea: The Ultimate Culinary & Dining Guide

Dining in North Korea offers a unique taste of traditional Korean culinary heritage preserved over decades. From world-famous icy buckwheat cold noodles and ginseng chicken soup to savory seafood hotpots and street-style duck barbecues, the dining experience in North Korea is both culturally fascinating and delicious.

Must-Try Traditional Dishes

When dining across North Korea, make sure to experience these authentic local culinary classics:

Pyongyang Raengmyeon: Famous chilled buckwheat noodles served in a savory cold brass bowl broth with sliced meat, radish, and egg.
Kaesong Insam-dak: Whole young chicken stuffed with sticky rice, jujube dates, and premium Kaesong ginseng simmered in broth.
Pansanggi: Royal Koryo dynasty dining experience served in a series of matching small brass covered bowls.
Duck BBQ: Tender slices of duck seasoned and grilled directly over charcoal tableside.
Taedong River Mullet Soup: Traditional clear fish soup made with fresh mullet caught in Pyongyang's central river.

20 Best Places to Eat in North Korea

1. Okryu-gwan (Okryu Restaurant)

Cuisine: Traditional Korean & Pyongyang Raengmyeon
Location: Taedong Riverbank, Pyongyang
Must-Try Dish: Pyongyang Cold Noodles (Raengmyeon)
About the Place: The undisputed grand temple of North Korean cuisine, housed in a traditional green-tiled building on the Taedong River serving thousands daily.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Okryu-gwan

2. Chongryu Restaurant

Cuisine: Korean Hotpot & Traditional Dishes
Location: Bothong River, Pyongyang
Must-Try Dish: Sinseollo (Royal Brass Hotpot)
About the Place: Historic boat-shaped culinary pavilion on the Bothong River famous for traditional elaborate Korean hotpot stews and banquets.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Chongryu Restaurant

3. Tongil Duck BBQ Restaurant

Cuisine: Korean Charcoal BBQ
Location: Tongil Street, Pyongyang
Must-Try Dish: Charcoal Grilled Duck Breast with Garlic
About the Place: Highly popular specialty restaurant where guests grill fresh marinated duck cuts at charcoal tableside braziers.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Tongil Duck BBQ

4. Kaesong Folk Hotel Restaurant

Cuisine: Traditional Royal Koryo Cuisine
Location: Central Kaesong
Must-Try Dish: Pansanggi (12-Bowl Royal Brass Meal)
About the Place: Authentic dining courtyard inside traditional wooden homes serving historic multi-bowl royal banquets and sweet ginseng wine.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Kaesong Folk Hotel Restaurant

5. Pyolmuri Cafe

Cuisine: European Cafe & Bakery
Location: Central Pyongyang
Must-Try Dish: Fresh Pastries & Espresso
About the Place: European-style cafe in Pyongyang providing espresso coffees, fresh cakes, paninis, and a relaxed environment.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Pyolmuri Cafe

6. Taedonggang Microbrewery No. 3

Cuisine: Pub Fare & Craft Beer
Location: East Pyongyang
Must-Try Dish: Taedonggang Draft Beer No. 2 with Salted Pretzels
About the Place: Lively microbrewery bar along the river where locals and visitors sample seven distinct brews on draft.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Taedonggang Microbrewery

7. Hyangsan Hotel Dining Room

Cuisine: High-end Korean & International Fine Dining
Location: Mount Myohyang
Must-Try Dish: Wild Mountain Herb Bibimbap
About the Place: Upscale hotel dining room set in the mountains serving refined dishes made with mountain herbs, wild mushrooms, and fish.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Hyangsan Hotel Dining Room

8. Koryo Hotel Revolving Restaurant

Cuisine: International & Korean
Location: Central Pyongyang
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Beef Tenderloin
About the Place: Top-floor revolving restaurant delivering 360-degree views of Pyongyang alongside Western and traditional Korean meals.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Koryo Hotel Revolving Restaurant

9. Pyongyang Pizza Restaurant

Cuisine: Italian
Location: Kwangbok Street, Pyongyang
Must-Try Dish: Wood-fired Pepperoni Pizza
About the Place: Authentic Italian pizzeria staffed by chefs trained in Italy, serving wood-fired pizzas, pasta, and wine.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Pyongyang Pizza Restaurant

10. Ryonggang Hot Spa Clam BBQ

Cuisine: Local Seafood BBQ
Location: Nampo / Ryonggang
Must-Try Dish: Gasoline-Burned Saltwater Clams
About the Place: Famous outdoor dining tradition where fresh sea clams are cooked directly on open ground using localized flame fuel.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Ryonggang Clam BBQ

11. Minye Cafe

Cuisine: Coffee & Traditional Teas
Location: Youth Street, Pyongyang
Must-Try Dish: Ginseng Tea & Honey Rice Cakes
About the Place: Comfortable tea house offering traditional Korean herbal teas, sweet rice cakes, and pour-over coffee.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Minye Cafe

12. Rainbow Hotel Floating Restaurant

Cuisine: Seafood & Buffet Dining
Location: Taedong River, Pyongyang
Must-Try Dish: Steamed Taedong River Carp
About the Place: Large cruise boat converted into a multi-deck dining boat offering river cruises accompanied by fresh seafood banquets.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Rainbow Floating Restaurant

13. Wonsan Seafood Restaurant

Cuisine: Coastal Ocean Seafood
Location: Wonsan Waterfront
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Sea Urchin & Giant Prawns
About the Place: Waterfront restaurant in Wonsan harbor serving daily ocean catches, live crabs, and grilled squid skewers.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Wonsan Seafood Restaurant

14. Hot Pot Restaurant on Future Scientist Street

Cuisine: Chinese & Korean Hotpot
Location: Future Scientists Street, Pyongyang
Must-Try Dish: Spicy Beef & Mushroom Hotpot
About the Place: Modern, brightly illuminated hotpot restaurant popular with local families and visiting groups.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Future Scientists Hotpot

15. Kwangbok Food Court

Cuisine: Street Food & Local Snacks
Location: Kwangbok Department Store, Pyongyang
Must-Try Dish: Mung Bean Pancakes (Bindaetteok)
About the Place: Bustling top-floor food hall inside Kwangbok store serving inexpensive local favorite snacks, noodles, and fried pancakes.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Kwangbok Food Court

16. Potonggang Hotel Restaurant

Cuisine: Japanese & International
Location: Bothong River, Pyongyang
Must-Try Dish: Fresh Sashimi & Teppanyaki
About the Place: Premium hotel dining venue known for authentic Japanese sushi counters and peaceful river garden settings.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Potonggang Hotel Restaurant

17. Moran Hill Restaurant

Cuisine: Traditional Korean
Location: Moran Hill Park, Pyongyang
Must-Try Dish: Cold Buckwheat Noodles with Boiled Pork
About the Place: Tranquil parkside pavilion restaurant offering traditional dishes to visitors exploring Moran Hill.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Moran Hill Restaurant

18. Mt. Chilbo Homestay Dining

Cuisine: Rustic Rural Korean
Location: Chilbo Coastal Village
Must-Try Dish: Home-style Seaweed Soup & Salted Pollack
About the Place: Unique home-cooked meal experience inside village homes using farm-grown vegetables and ocean catches.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Mt. Chilbo Homestay Dining

19. Hamhung Cold Noodle Restaurant

Cuisine: Hamhung-Style Bibim Naengmyeon
Location: Hamhung City
Must-Try Dish: Spicy Potato Starch Cold Noodles with Raw Fish
About the Place: The home institution for spicy starch cold noodles, distinct from Pyongyang's mild buckwheat noodle variety.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Hamhung Cold Noodle Restaurant

20. Diplomatic Club Restaurant

Cuisine: Russian, Chinese & International
Location: East Pyongyang
Must-Try Dish: Roasted Lamb Chops & Borscht
About the Place: Historic entertainment complex featuring international dining rooms, karaoke suites, and swimming pool lounges.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Diplomatic Club Restaurant

Featured Image

Traditional Pyongyang Cold Noodles (Raengmyeon)