Business · Companies · 8 hrs ago
North Korea promotes more than 60 cupbap-style ready meals
North Korea says it is making more than 60 varieties of ready-to-eat meals similar to South Korea’s cupbap, or rice served in a cup.
The meals are made at the Taedonggang Kumok Instant Rice Factory in Pyongyang.
The range includes curry rice, beef soup with rice, scallop rice and tofu bibimbap, as well as spicy instant noodles.
A North Korean magazine says the factory uses freeze-drying and local ingredients, but its claims about quality and popularity have not been independently verified.
The products are being promoted as convenient, locally made food, as North Korea highlights its food-processing industry and consumer goods.
How widely available or affordable the meals are for ordinary people remains unclear, and no sales figures were provided.
North Korea says a Pyongyang factory has developed more than 60 varieties of ready-to-eat meals resembling South Korean cupbap.
The products include instant curry rice, beef soup with rice, scallop rice, tofu bibimbap and spicy noodles made with chicken bone broth.
North Korean magazine Korea said the meals are designed for quick preparation and use freeze-drying technology.
The magazine reported positive reviews and growing popularity, but the claims could not be independently verified.
How widely available or affordable the meals are for ordinary North Koreans remains unclear.
- Who
- The Taedonggang Kumok Instant Rice Factory in Pyongyang. North Korea’s magazine Korea reported on its products.
- What
- The factory has developed more than 60 varieties of cupbap-style ready-to-eat meals.
- When
- The report appeared in the October edition of Korea and was discussed on Nov. 6. The Straits Times article was published on Nov. 8, 2026.
- Where
- Taedonggang District, Pyongyang, North Korea.
- Why
- The magazine presented the products as a way to diversify convenience foods and showcase advances in North Korea’s food-processing industry.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
North Korea’s magazine Korea reported on the factory’s ready-to-eat meals.
The magazine reported that North Korean critics had reviewed the flavours.
The Straits Times published its report on the products.
- Product varieties
- More than 60
- Factory
- Taedonggang Kumok Instant Rice Factory
- Location
- Taedonggang District, Pyongyang
- Examples
- Instant curry rice, beef soup with rice, scallop rice, tofu bibimbap and spicy instant noodles
- Preparation claim
- An advertisement said consumers could have a hot meal in 10 minutes
- Technology
- The magazine highlighted freeze-drying technology