“Luxurious Dishes, All Thanks to the General”

A North Korean online media outlet managed by the North Korean Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, Uriminzokkiri (“being amongst our nation”) has introduced the “court cuisine” served by Okryukwan in Pyongyang, calling it a display of Kim Jong Il’s deep concern for the welfare of his people.

The article led with the introduction of a new dish offered in the famous cold noodle restaurant in Pyongyang, turtle, famed as a tonic for kings or high officials in the past. It emphasized, however, that the turtle dish is now a popular common dish served in Okryukwan thanks to “the mutually reciprocal love of the General for the people in this territory where things flourish every day.”

The report also released responses from North Korean residents who said that they are able to taste such luxurious dishes, which used to be served only to VIPs, thanks only to the virtue of Kim Jong Il, and expressed their “warm-hearted gratitude.”

However, one defector, who reached South Korea in 2009, said in a telephone interview with The Daily NK, “When I visited Okryukwan in 2008, turkey, one of these luxurious foods, cost 3,500 won (approximately $1) in the old currency, while a bowl of cold noodles was around 1,500 won. Since I couldn’t afford to have the expensive dish, I had cold noodles.”

Before the redenomination, rice was selling for around 2,000-3,000 won per kilo.

“Most people cannot even afford to have two meals of corn or noodles per day thanks to the current rise in food prices,” the report added.