Pyongyang Onban is a dish of steamed white rice topped with sautéed mushrooms, chicken, mung bean pancakes, and garnished with shredded egg, shredded chili, and sesame seeds, then finished with a pour of hot chicken broth.

Curious about Pyongyang Onban, a traditional dish known for its harmonious blend of ingredients, excellent flavor and aroma, and high nutritional and medicinal value, a reporter recently visited the Ryomyong Street Onban Restaurant in Pyongyang’s Taesong District.

Manager Pak Yon Ok described Pyongyang Onban as a universally loved and popular dish and began by sharing its origin story.

“Pyongyang Onban was created hundreds of years ago during a love story between a servant named Hyongdal and a maiden named Ui Gyong, who worked at a local government office in Pyongyang.”

One winter, Hyongdal was wrongfully imprisoned. Thinking of him shivering in the cold, Ui Gyong prepared white rice topped with meat, mushrooms, and other ingredients, covered it with pancakes, and rushed to the prison to serve him the warm meal.

At that time, Ui Gyong poured hot broth over the toppings and pancakes, sealed the dish with a lid, and served it to Hyongdal. After eating it eagerly, Hyongdal asked the name of the dish. Without thinking, Ui Gyong called it Onban, meaning “warm rice.”

After his release, Hyongdal served Onban at his wedding, symbolizing their love and integrity. Since then, it became a tradition for Pyongyang residents to prepare Onban at weddings, encouraging harmony and kindness in married life.

“Over time, Pyongyang Onban evolved into a renowned national dish. The pancakes were replaced with mung bean pancakes, the broth became chicken-based, and the toppings were refined to include chicken and mushrooms,” –  Pak said.

She added that Pyongyang Onban reflects the Korean people’s wisdom, diligence, and strong sense of integrity, as well as their preference for rice-and-soup meals. It has become one of Pyongyang’s four iconic dishes and a beloved favorite among the people.

At the Ryomyong Street Onban Restaurant, Pyongyang Onban is prepared deliciously, delighting customers.

Chef Pak Kum Ok explained that the dish’s special appeal comes from the combination of the hot chicken broth and the lightly fried mung bean pancakes, which create a unique sweet and savory flavor.

The reporter, who tried a bowl with other customers, confirmed that Pyongyang Onban offers a distinct and unmatched taste compared to other rice-and-soup dishes. The restaurant serves hundreds of people daily, and fans of Onban visit not only in spring, autumn, and winter but even during the height of summer.

Visitors from other regions on business trips also make it a point to visit the restaurant. The restaurant has a modern two-story dining space and prioritizes providing friendly and dedicated service to all guests.

 

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