Table of Contents

Gwanseo Cuisine

Pyongyang Naengmyeon

Buckwheat noodles served in icy-clear beef broth, lightly tangy and unsweetened—famous for its clean, restrained flavor. 1)

Pyongyang Mandu

Large, softly shaped dumplings filled with tofu, mung bean sprouts, pork, and kimchi—mild, fluffy, and less garlicky than southern mandu. 2)

Baek Kimchi (Gwanseo Style)

White kimchi made without chili, seasoned instead with pear, chestnut, and pine nut—crisp, aromatic, and subtly sweet. 3)

Eo Bokkeum (Mild Fish Stir-Fry)

Lightly pan-fried fish with vegetables, seasoned with soy sauce rather than gochujang—clean and understated. 4)

Dubu Bap (Tofu Rice)

Soft tofu served over warm rice with light soy seasoning; a protein-rich dish reflecting the region’s soybean tradition. 5)

Pyeongando Wheat Noodles

Thin wheat noodles served in anchovy or beef broth—simpler and clearer than kalguksu from the south. 6)

Jang Gukbap (Clear Soy Soup with Rice)

Rice served in a mild soy-based broth with beef or tofu—comfort food emphasizing clarity over spice. 7)

Dongchimi (Northern Water Kimchi)

A winter radish kimchi fermented in cold water, producing a clean, refreshing brine used as soup or noodle broth. 8)

Gwanseo Japchae

Glass noodles mixed with vegetables but little oil or sugar—focused on texture and balance rather than richness. 9)

Steamed Croaker (Gulbi Jjim)

Yellow croaker gently steamed and lightly seasoned; prized in the region for its natural sweetness. 10)

Soybean Sprout Soup (Kongnamul Guk)

A clean, restorative soup made with sprouts, tofu, and minimal seasoning—often eaten for breakfast. 11)

Buckwheat Pancakes (Memil Buchimgae)

Thin buckwheat pancakes pan-fried with scallions and minimal batter—nutty and rustic. 12)

Rice with Barley (Bori Bap)

Rice mixed with barley grains, reflecting the colder climate and grain-based agriculture of the north. 13)

Mild Beef Jeon

Thin beef slices dipped in egg and lightly fried, seasoned gently with salt rather than strong sauces. 14)

Honey Rice Cakes (Yak Tteok – Gwanseo Style)

Rice cakes sweetened lightly with honey and jujube instead of heavy syrups—delicate and ceremonial. 15)