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.
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
- Hanbok: DongyiKoguryo, CC BY-SA 4.0, source