For those unable or unwilling to head to Pyongyang, there are opportunities to experience North Korean cuisine in the country's numerous overseas restaurants. Bangkok has two, including Pyongyang Okryu, pictured.
Richard Ehrlich
On the menu: Cold noodle tray —
Large enough for two people, Pyongyang Okryu's cold noodle tray includes slices of chicken, cucumber and a hard-boiled egg, plus red chilies, vinegar and mustard -- all draping spaghetti-like rice noodles, which a waitress will cut with big pink scissors.
Richard Ehrlich
Fried fish —
Pyongyang Okryu's fried mackerel and scallions, wrapped in aluminum foil, is graciously deboned by a waitress at your table.
Richard Ehrlich
Mung Bean Jijim —
Mung Bean Jijim features four flat, thin, green, circular pancakes, wet with oil and adorned with parsley.
Richard Ehrlich
Don't ask about the motherland —
The 100-seat restaurant includes an outdoor eating area. The staff speaks modestly good English. But when asked about the restaurant or North Korea, they replied with a chorus of, "I don't know."
Richard Ehrlich
"No photos!" —
You can eat a tasty but somewhat oily and salty meal while ignoring the bizarre behavior around your plastic-covered table amid the restaurant's permanent Christmas decorations.
Richard Ehrlich
Lunch specials —
Pyongyang Okryu Restaurant's lunch specials cost 99 baht a plate (about $2.80) and include dumplings, noodles, Kimchi Udong, Bibimbab Haeju and fried rice with chicken.
Richard Ehrlich
Pyongyang A Ri Rang Restaurant —
Flashier than Pyongyang Okryu, Bangkok's Pyongyang A Ri Rang Restaurant offers food, karaoke, a live floor show and tours of North Korea. During a recent visit, a sign on the door said it's closed until June 20 for "renovations."