While Pyongyang is now awash with bright sparkling new restaurants there are still a few gems from back in the day that get us excited. Chief among them being Moranbong Fried Chicken.
Located by Moran Hill and next to the Arch of Triumph (bigger than Paris), this chicken restaurant was famously known as the North Korean KFC, or NKFC. When there was tourism we brought a lot of guests here. And the good news is that while it is not quite the jam it was before, the chicken is still pretty damned good.
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What the Moranbong Chicken Restaurant
Go back 20 years and there was not much in the way of not just foreign food, but restaurants in general in Pyongyang. Then came the new leadership and there was a sharp rise in things. This included pizza, but also this little chicken joint circa 15 or so years ago.
And it became not just a hit with locals, but also a firm favorite with KITC and YPT groups. Since the pandemic it has changed ownership and to a degree has been outshone by newer places. But it is still great food at a great location.
The Food at Moranbong Chicken Restaurant
Like all North Korean restaurants of whatever style, you need a decent Korean base to get people in. Therefore most popular dishes are here such as Pyongyang cold noodles, sushi and the like. They also had a really good fried shrimp dish which you have with wasabi. This is a tough dish to get right, but they manage it.
OK, so let’s talk North Korean fried chicken. They actually have a bunch of fried chicken, but the two main dishes are traditional and spicy. The traditional is really good, but more along the lines of Dicos than KFC. Unlike in China, it is not overcooked which is a great touch. The spicy version though is baller, having that Sichuan tang rather than chilli ball bust.
My favourite back in the day though were the chips, yep chicken and god damned chips. And indeed chips they are rather than dumb Asian French fries. You then lather them in North Korean vinegar and mustard for a taste sensation. We introduced this to the Koreans who agreed with my British tastes. Yet while this was not as good as in the past, it still did the job.
Location and vibe
Previously they had a big communal eating area, but it has now been changed to mostly private rooms. At the entrance, and much like many restaurants, there are two shops, one selling consumer goods and one doing medicine. Service is decent and you can’t really go wrong.
Is it the best fried chicken restaurant in Pyongyang? Certainly. The best restaurant in Pyongyang? Certainly not, but it is located next to Moran Hill, the amusement park and the Arch of Triumph. It is also central downtown and therefore well worth a stop if you are spending much time in the capital.
Gotta love a bit of North Korean fried chicken. NOKOFC!