Pyongyang Restaurant

The Restaurant Sits Somewhat Inconspicuously On Jalan Gandaria In South Jakarta. A Red Signboard Written In Both Hangul And Latin Characters Stands In Front Of The Windowless Building, Notifying Passersby Of Its All-Too-Obvious Name: Pyongyang Restaurant. The Waitresses, Along With The Cooks, Came Down Here All The Way From Pyongyang A Year Ago, Around The Time This Restaurant Was First Opened. They Had Been Students In A Hospitality Academy In Their Country, One Of Them Told Us. Six Small Dishes Of Banchan , The Signature Side Dishes Served As Appetizers In Korean Restaurants, Were Brought To Our Table. There Were Vegetables Like Bean Sprouts And Bok Choy, But No Kimchi. I Was Later Told That Kimchi Was Sold Separately. A Distinctive Delicacy Of The City Of Pyongyang Is Naengmyon (Cold Buckwheat Noodle). Here It Was Served In Rich, Icy Broth With A Smattering Of Julienned Vegetables And Boiled Egg. It Tasted A Bit Vinegary But The Coldness Was Perfectly Refreshing, With Its Noodles Supplying A Smooth Sensation To The Mouth. Next Came The Nakji Sam Gyobsal Bokum , Cuts Of Squid And Pork Simmered In A Salty, Spicy Sauce And Served On A Hissing Iron Plate. A Basket Of Raw Garlic, Green Chili And Fresh Lettuce Leaves To Wrap The Meat In Was Served Alongside It.