There might be new sparkling shiny restaurants popping in Pyongyang, but for veterans of the country there are some foods dining options that are still unbeatable. Chief among them, Gasoline Clams in Nampho.
Now, I know what you are thinking! This sounds insane, unsafe and not very nice. I also thought these things before I first tried it. I and many others were simply wrong.
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Now lets set the scene!
Nampho is a major port city on the west coast of North Korea, sitting roughly 50 kilometres from Pyongyang along the Taedong River. It has long been one of the country’s key industrial hubs as well as an important maritime gateway. For most organised tours it appears as a day trip from the capital, usually paired with coastal views and a visit to the nearby hot springs hotel area, which for many years was one of the most iconic leisure stops in DPRK tourism.
Firmly one of the better second cities to visit in the DPRK, particularly if you are doing anything above 4 nights. Defo a favorite of YPT back in the day.
Gasoline Clams Nampho
Gasoline clams, or petrol clams are exactly what they sound like. Basically you take a flame proof blanket of sorts and put on the ground. You then add as many clams as you can afford. Then said clams get soaked in petrol and you set it alight. Ravenous yet?
This carries on until he clams open. That in fact is how you know if they are good an edible. Clams are then opened and eaten as is. What about the petrol you ask? Well the gasoline on the clams burns away so that honestly you are not left munching petrol. It honestly tastes amazing.
And for those of us veterans who spent a lot of time back in the day in te DPRK, it really does have a kitsch value to it that is unlikely to be repeated.
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