Traditions of Pyongyang
The capital of North Korea, where traditional Korean holidays and cold noodles are part of the city's year.
Pyongyang is among the oldest cities in Korea, and lies on the Taedong River. Korean traditions such as the lunar new year, Chuseok and the folk game of yutnori are observed there. The city is best known for its cold buckwheat noodles, naengmyeon, which is eaten as a source of local pride.
Seasonal customs
On the lunar new year families eat tteokguk and play yutnori, a board game with four sticks. At Dano, in early summer, the Korean folk custom of wrestling, ssireum, and swing-riding is observed. Folk song and dance, including the farmers' dance, are performed at holidays and in schools.
At the table
Pyongyang naengmyeon is a cold broth of buckwheat noodles with pickled radish, served in winter as well as summer. Many people also eat dumplings, mandu, and warm soups. The meal is usually rice, soup and several banchan side dishes, with soju or tea.
Signature traditions of Pyongyang
Also part of it, and being written: Yutnori (The Korean board game.), Ssireum (Korean wrestling.).
A trail idea for Pyongyang
- Okryu-gwan restaurant Known for its cold noodles.
- Mansudae A park of statues and a hill by the river.
- Taedong River A long river through the city.
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
🇰🇵 Pyongyang, North KoreaDay of the Sun태양절
North Korea's principal holiday, marking the birth anniversary of Kim Il SungCeremony
🇰🇵 Pyongyang, North KoreaArirang Mass Games아리랑 축제
A massive civic spectacle of gymnastics, dance, and card stunts in PyongyangCeremony
🇰🇵 Pyongyang, North KoreaDay of the Shining Star광명성절
A two-day national holiday in North Korea honouring the birth of Kim Jong Il.Ceremony
🇰🇵 Pyongyang, North Korea and 4 moreMass games
Disciplined, large-scale gymnastic spectacles celebrating unity and national prideCeremony
🇰🇷 Seoul, South Korea and 1 moreNational Liberation Day of Korea광복절 (Gwangbokjeol)
A public holiday on 15 August marking Korea's liberation from Japanese rule in 1945Ceremony
🇰🇵 Pyongyang, North KoreaFatherland Liberation War Day조국해방전쟁 승리 기념일
North Korea's July 27 holiday marking the 1953 armistice that stopped the Korean WarCeremony
🇰🇵 Pyongyang, North KoreaDay of the Foundation of the Republic9.9절 (Inmin Jeonggwon Changgeonil)
A national holiday in North Korea marking the founding of the state on September 9.Ceremony
🇰🇵 Pyongyang, North KoreaParty Foundation Day조선로동당 창건일
A national holiday in North Korea that marks the founding of its ruling party in 1945.Ceremony
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Naengmyeon: wjlee4284, CC BY 2.5, source
- Day of the Sun: Uri Tours, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Arirang Mass Games: Michael Day, CC BY 2.0, source
- Day of the Shining Star: Nicor, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Mass games: photo: unknown file: James Steakley, Public domain, source
- National Liberation Day of Korea: Korea.net / Korean Culture and Information Service, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Fatherland Liberation War Day: Stefan Krasowski, Public domain, source
- Day of the Foundation of the Republic: Uri Tours, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Party Foundation Day: David Stanley, CC BY 2.0, source