The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, located in Pyongyang, North Korea, is a mausoleum for the founder and Eternal President Kim Il-sung, and later his son, Kim Jong-il. It is a place of great political and cultural significance. The primary purpose of the palace is to serve as a memorial and resting place for the leaders and does not have a history of food specifically associated with it. However, Pyongyang and North Korea have a unique cuisine that visitors can explore.
Must-Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Pyongyang for Tourists:
1. Kimchi (Veg) - Fermented vegetables, usually cabbage or radishes, seasoned with a variety of spices.
2. Naengmyeon (Non-Veg) - Cold buckwheat noodles typically served with a tangy broth, slices of Korean pear, cucumbers, and sometimes boiled egg and slices of pork.
3. Tteokbokki (Veg option available) - Spicy stir-fried rice cakes, which can be made without fish cakes for a vegetarian option.
4. Mandu (Veg and Non-Veg) - Korean dumplings filled with minced meat or vegetables.
5. Japchae (Veg option available) - A sweet and savory dish of stir-fried glass noodles and vegetables, often including slices of beef (can be made vegetarian).
6. Bibimbap (Veg option available) - A rice dish mixed with vegetables, chili pepper paste, and can be topped with a fried egg or sliced meat (can be made vegetarian).
7. Pajeon (Veg option available) - A savory pancake filled with green onions, with other ingredients such as seafood or kimchi (can be made purely with vegetables).
8. Korean-style tofu (Veg) - Tofu served in a variety of ways, including silken tofu in spicy soup or fried tofu with soy dipping sauce.
9. Sundubu-jjigae (Veg option available) - A hot and spicy stew made with uncurdled tofu, vegetables, and sometimes seafood or meat (can be made vegetarian).
10. Potato Onjoogi (Veg) - A North Korean snack made of dried potato pulp that is sweetened and shaped, resembling corn puffs.
Top Famous Restaurants in Pyongyang and Their Notable Dishes:
1. Okryu-gwan
*Address: Okryu Street, Pyongyang*
Famous Food: Naengmyeon (Non-Veg)
2. Chongryu Hotpot Restaurant
*Address: Chongryu Street, Pyongyang*
Famous Food: Korean-style hotpot (Non-Veg, Veg options may be available)
3. Ryanggang Hotel Restaurant
*Address: Kwangbok Street, Pyongyang*
Famous Food: Traditional Korean set menus (Both Veg and Non-Veg options available)
4. Koryo Hotel Restaurants
*Address: Songyo District, Pyongyang*
Famous Food: Various Korean and international dishes (Both Veg and Non-Veg options available)
5. Duck BBQ Restaurant
*Address: Tongil Street, Pyongyang*
Famous Food: Duck barbecue (Non-Veg)
6. Grand Theatre Restaurant
*Address: Sungri Street, Pyongyang*
Famous Food: Korean courses (Both Veg and Non-Veg options available)
7. Pyongyang Hotel Restaurant
*Address: Sungri Street, Pyongyang*
Famous Food: Korean and European-style dishes (Both Veg and Non-Veg options available)
8. Diplo Restaurant
*Address: Sosong District, Pyongyang*
Famous Food: Pizzas and Pastas (Veg options available)
9. Pyongyang Daedoksan Noodle House
*Address: Ryomyong Street, Pyongyang*
Famous Food: In-house made noodles (Non-Veg, Veg options may be available)
10. Moranbong Baradongi
*Address: Moranbong District, Pyongyang*
Famous Food: Korean BBQ (Non-Veg, some Veg side dishes typically available)
It's important to note that the availability of vegetarian options may be limited, and it is advisable to communicate dietary restrictions clearly when dining in North Korea. Also, due to North Korea's restrictive nature, tourists will usually have to schedule a visit to these restaurants in advance through their tour agency, as independent travel within the country is not permitted.