While Seoul is only 50km or so from North Korea, there isn’t much cultural overlap in the South. A refreshing exception to this is Neungra Bapsang, a restaurant with two downtown locations staffed by North Korean defectors. The menu explains the cultural importance of the dishes, which include classics like Pyeongyang-style naengmyeon (cold noodles), Haeju-style bibimbap and potato dumplings. Their high-profile customers have included former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.
Neungra Bapsang
North Korean cuisine in central Seoul
