[PHOTOS] Man Travelling In China Shares His Experience Visiting A North Korean Restaurant In Shenyang

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A post on r/travel subreddit has drawn attention for its rare first-hand account of visiting a North Korean-run restaurant in Shenyang, China

The post, which has over 2.4k upvotes and more than 110 comments, offers a glimpse into a secretive network of restaurants operated by the North Korean government abroad.

According to the original poster (OP), who identifies as South Korean, he and his British girlfriend were curious about the restaurant despite warnings that South Koreans are usually not allowed in. To gain entry, he posed as a foreigner, claiming to be from the UK.

Inside, heavy curtains blocked the windows, and the menu listed around 200 dishes, including unusual items such as dog and frog meat.

They ordered North Korean-style chicken, cold noodles, and bibimbap. Staff attempted to demonstrate the proper way to eat each dish, but language barriers caused some frustration among the staff.

He, however, admitted that he could "understand everything".

"So, I felt nervous, worried that they might notice."

The food itself, the OP said, "wasn't good".

Entertainment was part of the experience, with performances of classic North Korean singing and dancing, some songs praising the country's leaders, mixed with Chinese songs

At one point, a staff member handed the OP's girlfriend a flower to give to a performer on stage.

"We watched the performance for a bit, but we ended up leaving because it started to feel uncomfortable having to keep up the act," he said.

"It was a fascinating experience, but back then, I was really nervous."

Other Reddit users shared similar experiences

One commenter noted that North Korean food tends to be less spicy and more reliant on bean paste, contrasting it with the spicier, Western-influenced cuisine of South Korea.

Another described visits to similar restaurants in Shanghai, observing that staff live and work under strict supervision, with opportunities abroad reserved for those with politically influential families.

A third user recalled a visit to a North Korean restaurant in Yanji, China, describing the performances as highly skilled and entertaining, even if the food was not remarkable. They also noted that accents, mannerisms, and a controlled atmosphere gave the experience a distinctively North Korean flavour.

Beyond these personal accounts, investigative reporting has documented the broader network behind such restaurants

A 2014 article in The Guardian noted that the establishments, run by North Korea's "Office 39", are designed to generate foreign currency for the regime, support local embassies, and launder money.

Beginning near the Chinese border in the 1990s, the chain eventually expanded to an estimated 100 locations across Asia, including Cambodia, and briefly in Europe.

According to The Guardian article, staff are carefully chosen from loyal families in Pyongyang and remain under close supervision, with little freedom to leave.