Top 15 Tasty Street food in North Korea

15 Tasty Street Foods in North Korea:

 Street food in North Korea is less widely documented than in other countries due to the closed nature of the country and limited access to media. However, North Korean street food shares some similarities with the street food culture of South Korea, but it also has its own unique characteristics, often influenced by local ingredients and traditions. The street food in North Korea tends to be hearty, simple, and based on local ingredients like rice, noodles, vegetables, and meats, often seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, and kimchi. Here are some examples of street foods that can be found in North Korea:

1. Mandu (만두)

Mandu, or Korean dumplings, are a common street food in North Korea. These dumplings are filled with a mixture of meat (often pork or beef), vegetables, and sometimes tofu or kimchi. They are either steamed or boiled and served with a dipping sauce. Mandu is a popular snack for both locals and tourists in cities like Pyongyang.

2. Banchan (반찬)

Banchan refers to a variety of small side dishes that are often served with meals in North Korea, but you can also find them sold as snacks in street food stalls. Common banchan includes pickled vegetables, kimchi, spinach, and other small, flavorful dishes. They are typically eaten with rice and can also be found in markets as small servings.

3. Bulgogi (불고기)

Although bulgogi (grilled marinated beef) is traditionally a Korean dish, it is also enjoyed in North Korea as street food. The beef is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, garlic, and pepper, and then grilled or pan-fried. It’s often served with steamed rice and vegetables and can be found at food stalls in busy areas.

4. Kimchi (김치)

Kimchi is a staple in both North and South Korean cuisines. Street vendors may sell kimchi as a side dish or in smaller portions as a snack. Kimchi is made from fermented vegetables (usually cabbage or radish) and seasoned with chili pepper, garlic, ginger, and fish sauce. It is often served with rice or enjoyed on its own.

5. Tteok (떡)

Tteok refers to a variety of rice cakes that are commonly eaten in North Korea. They can be steamed, boiled, or fried and are made from glutinous rice flour or regular rice. Some varieties are filled with sweet red bean paste, while others are savory, stuffed with vegetables or meat. Tteok is often sold as a snack in markets and street stalls.

6. Porridge (죽)

Rice porridge, or juk, is a warm, comforting dish that is eaten for breakfast or as a snack in North Korea. It's made by boiling rice with water or broth until it breaks down into a soft, smooth consistency. Variations of juk might include vegetables, meat, or even seaweed. It’s commonly found in small eateries or food stalls in the country.

7. Pyeonsu (편수)

Pyeonsu is a type of noodle soup, often served in North Korean street food stalls. It consists of thin wheat noodles in a light broth, sometimes flavored with soy sauce or kimchi. The dish is typically topped with vegetables, meat (usually pork or beef), and a hard-boiled egg.

8. Gimbap (김밥)

While gimbap is more commonly associated with South Korea, you can also find it in North Korea. It is made by wrapping rice, vegetables, and sometimes meat in seaweed. Gimbap is often enjoyed as a quick and portable snack, making it a popular option in North Korean street food culture.

9. Sundae (순대)

Sundae is a type of blood sausage made from pig's intestines stuffed with a mixture of rice, noodles, and blood. It is a popular street food in both North and South Korea, and in North Korea, it is often served with a dipping sauce made from salt and pepper, and sometimes chili powder.

10. Fried Fish and Fish Cakes (어묵)

Fried fish or fish cakes are common street foods in North Korea, especially in coastal areas. Fish cakes (eomuk) are made from ground fish paste and are often served with a soy-based dipping sauce. Fried fish, served with rice, is also available from street vendors and markets, particularly in port cities.

11. Sweet Potato (고구마)

Sweet potatoes are a common snack in North Korea and are often roasted on the street. Vendors sell them hot, with a soft, sweet, and starchy texture, making them a popular snack, especially in colder months.

12. Choco Pie (초코파이)

Choco Pie, a popular snack in both North and South Korea, is a type of marshmallow-filled cookie coated in chocolate. While it originated in South Korea, it has been widely consumed in North Korea as well, and you can find these sweet treats in street food stalls.

13. Corn on the Cob (옥수수)

Roasted corn on the cob is a common snack in North Korea, often sold on the streets in markets or at food stalls. The corn is typically grilled over an open flame and served with a little salt, making it a simple yet satisfying snack.

14. Chili Peppers and Pickled Vegetables

Street vendors sometimes sell small servings of pickled vegetables, including kimchi, or fresh chili peppers as a side snack. These can be enjoyed with rice, meat, or other street food items.

15. Cold Noodles (냉면)

Cold noodles, or naengmyeon, are especially popular during the hot summer months in North Korea. They are made from buckwheat or sweet potato starch and served in a cold, tangy broth with thinly sliced vegetables and meat. It's a refreshing dish often sold at street food stalls in the summer.