Northeast Korean Cuisine Tour: 7 Must-Try Restaurants

From cold noodles to skewers, from ginseng chicken soup to fried chicken, every bite is a taste of pure happiness. Here’s my personal list of recommendations!

1️⃣ Service Building Cold Noodles (Yanji) 🍜❄️

The cold noodle broth is icy and tangy, offering a refreshing and palate-cleansing experience. The toppings are abundant, including cucumber strips, beef slices, boiled egg, and chili paste, creating a layered flavor profile. The beef bone soup is warm and rich, with tender meat and a creamy, savory broth, perfect for pairing hot and cold dishes. The fried items are crispy yet not greasy, embodying the authentic flavors of Yanbian.

2️⃣ Grandma Yuan’s Rice Wraps (Yanji) 🥬🍖

The grilled pork belly is enticingly golden, with a thick yet evenly marbled texture, bursting with aroma. Wrap it with raw garlic, green chili, lettuce, and a special sauce for an incredibly satisfying bite. The ginseng chicken soup is also highly recommended, with a subtly sweet ginseng aroma and tender, flavorful chicken.

3️⃣ Zhengtan Fried Chicken (Yanji) 🍗🌶️

A must-try for Korean fried chicken lovers! Each box comes with two flavors: the sauced fried chicken is perfectly balanced between sweet and savory, with a crispy exterior and juicy interior; the cheese powder fried chicken is rich and salty with a hint of creamy cheese. It’s crispy when hot and still flavorful when cold.

4️⃣ Jinli Skewer Shop (Yanji) 🍢🔥

The charcoal-grilled skewers are irresistibly aromatic. The beef and lamb skewers are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, seasoned with cumin and chili powder for a distinct Northeastern flavor. Each skewer is grilled to perfection, locking in the juices without being dry. Pair them with cold side dishes and beer for the ultimate experience.

5️⃣ Micun Bibimbap (Changbai Mountain) 🍚🥘

Due to the cold weather, I opted for the spicy tofu soup instead of their signature bibimbap. The soup is rich and flavorful, with the aroma of Korean soybean paste and a mild spiciness. It’s packed with tofu and bean sprouts. The cold appetizers, such as tripe and enoki mushrooms with chili oil, are fragrant and appetizing. The portions are generous, making it a perfect warm meal for cold days.

6️⃣ Korean-Style Fire Pot (Changbai Mountain) 🥩🧄

Stir-fried beef and vegetables in an iron pot exude a mouthwatering aroma. Heated with a charcoal stove underneath, it stays warm for a long time. The beef is well-marinated and tender, complemented by onions and green peppers for added flavor. This is a representative family-style dish in the Changbai Mountain area.

7️⃣ Lao Chu Jia (Harbin) 🥣🍛

Specializing in Northeastern home-style dishes with exquisite presentation. The braised chicken is spicy and rich, paired with garlic stir-fried greens and heart-shaped scallion egg fried rice, offering a feast for the senses. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere, evoking the warmth of a home-cooked meal.

When the weather is cold, enjoying a bowl of hot soup or a few charcoal-grilled skewers is pure bliss. If you’re planning a trip to Northeast China, make sure to save this list!