From olden times, Pyongyang cold noodles have been well-known around the world for unique, refreshing and savoury taste.

   But there are few people who know that the order of putting condiments in the noodles changes the taste.

   One  September  day  in  1999,  some  officials  had  an  opportunity  to  have  noodles  at  Okryu  Restaurant,  in  the  presence  of Chairman  Kim Jong Il.

   They made haste to have noodles, someone putting soy sauce first and others, mustard first.

   That moment, Comrade Kim Jong Il asked them to stop and explained: The taste of the noodles changes according to the order of putting condiments in them. The unique taste of Pyongyang cold noodles can be felt only when vinegar is sprinkled first over the coiled noodles, not in the meat stock.

   Then he took a vinegar bottle and personally sprinkled vinegar over the noodle strips in the vessel for an official sitting next to him.

   Other officials followed him, sprinkling vinegar first over the noodle strips and then putting other condiments. The taste of the food proved quite wonderful.

   The officials were deeply moved by Comrade Kim Jong Il’s profound knowledge of the traditional food peculiar to the Korean nation and his noble traits.