As the temperature rises gradually, families often put on table such foods as kimchi made of cucumbers and spring bok choy, mung-bean sprout salad, lettuces, garlic pickling in vinegar and new potato dishes.
Housewives also prepare rice-and-mugwort cake, steamed rice yeast cake, mung-bean pancake, steamed rice-and-green pea cake and the like as part of their staple diet, believing that national dishes are best in stimulating appetite.
Especially, rice-and-mugwort cake is regarded as a must-have.
The family of old woman Kim Song Ok in neighbourhood unit No. 58 of Jonjin-dong in Rangnang District, Pyongyang, enjoyed the cake last Sunday.
“For the unique fragrance and flavour of mugwort, the cake has been one of special dishes the Koreans have made since olden times. We also make and have it every year. Though my granddaughter objected to the bitter taste of the plant originally, she came to like the cake and now coaxes me into making it,” said Kim.
Mugworts grow in groups in mountains, fields and sunny places and contain protein, fat, sugar, minerals and various kinds of vitamins.
According to Pae Son Yong, lecturer at Pyongyang Jang Chol Gu University of Commerce, foods made of mugworts at the turn of the season help digestion and promote health.
The slightly bitter taste of mugworts stimulates appetite and the deep green colour of parboiled mugworts decorates the table conspicuously.
Kim Song Ok who learned the recipe for the cake from her mother picks fresh mugworts every early spring and prepares the cake to serve the food to her family members every year.
Last Sunday even her nephew’s wife came to her to learn how to make it.
“Pluck soft fresh mugworts and wash them well. Do not boil them too long lest they should discolour or get too pulpy,” Kim Song Ok taught her in detail.
The parboiled mugworts are soaked for a night, squeezed dry and pounded in a mortar. And then they are evenly mixed with rice flour and kneaded with hot water to make a flat round piece of dough before steaming. Steaming also requires a skill, Kim added.
According to her, whenever she kneads the steaming dough giving off fragrance into fancy, half-moon-shaped and tail-shaped rice cakes, her grandchildren rush into the kitchen to join her and their happy laughter fills the whole house.
“There are innumerable national dishes for each season. I usually try to prepare a diverse range of foods, national dishes in particular, in order to enrich our meal. In my experience, our national dishes are best,” said the elderly woman.
More From Pyongyang Times
The Hungarian prime minister warned that Ukraine’s accession to the EU might cause danger through an SNS on December 8.Referring t
December 15, 2025
The Hungarian prime minister warned that Ukraine’s accession to the EU might cause danger through an SNS on December 8.Referring t
Personages of different countries highly praised the revolutionary exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il who led the socialist cause of
December 15, 2025
Personages of different countries highly praised the revolutionary exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il who led the socialist cause of
Memorial meetings, seminars, round-table talks, lectures, photo exhibitions and film shows took place in Myanmar, Indonesia,
December 15, 2025
Memorial meetings, seminars, round-table talks, lectures, photo exhibitions and film shows took place in Myanmar, Indonesia,
The Kanggye Zoo has been splendidly built in Jagang Province. The zoo located in the Oesan area of Kanggye City has ten-odd animal
December 15, 2025
The Kanggye Zoo has been splendidly built in Jagang Province. The zoo located in the Oesan area of Kanggye City has ten-odd animal
New villages have been built in South Hamgyong Province one after another, adding pleasure to agricultural workers. The modern
December 15, 2025
New villages have been built in South Hamgyong Province one after another, adding pleasure to agricultural workers. The modern
Modern houses have been built at the Munyang and Phyongam farms in Koksan County of North Hwanghae Province and the Ryongpho and
December 15, 2025
Modern houses have been built at the Munyang and Phyongam farms in Koksan County of North Hwanghae Province and the Ryongpho and
The Workers’ Party of Korea is powerfully carrying on the regional-industry revolution and the public health revolution,
December 14, 2025
The Workers’ Party of Korea is powerfully carrying on the regional-industry revolution and the public health revolution,
The Haeju Tilery was inaugurated in South Hwanghae Province. The tilery is furnished with modern equipment to fully supply
December 14, 2025
The Haeju Tilery was inaugurated in South Hwanghae Province. The tilery is furnished with modern equipment to fully supply
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded that the US observe the One China principle in a press conference
December 14, 2025
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded that the US observe the One China principle in a press conference
The Jangsu Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory produces highly-efficacious traditional medicines in large quantities. The
December 14, 2025
The Jangsu Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory produces highly-efficacious traditional medicines in large quantities. The
Jagang Province has built the Kanggye Interlock Tile Factory. The construction of the modern factory furnished with various kinds
December 14, 2025
Jagang Province has built the Kanggye Interlock Tile Factory. The construction of the modern factory furnished with various kinds
The ideal socialist villages are being built one after another, representing the new appearance of civilization of Korean style.
December 13, 2025
The ideal socialist villages are being built one after another, representing the new appearance of civilization of Korean style.
On display in the building of Pyongyang University of Architecture are many artist’s impressions of buildings created by
December 13, 2025
On display in the building of Pyongyang University of Architecture are many artist’s impressions of buildings created by
The Korean People's Army, which regards the absolute loyalty to the Workers' Party of Korea and the revolution as its sacred
December 13, 2025
The Korean People's Army, which regards the absolute loyalty to the Workers' Party of Korea and the revolution as its sacred
Dear officers and soldiers of the 528th Regiment of Engineers of the Korean People’s Army,I warmly welcome all of you, officers an
December 13, 2025
Dear officers and soldiers of the 528th Regiment of Engineers of the Korean People’s Army,I warmly welcome all of you, officers an
The workers of the Kwangmyong Pit of the Unpha Mine are increasing production in the spirit of making uninterrupted innovations
December 13, 2025
The workers of the Kwangmyong Pit of the Unpha Mine are increasing production in the spirit of making uninterrupted innovations
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on December 6 that the West suffered enormous losses due to its unilateral sanctions.
December 13, 2025
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on December 6 that the West suffered enormous losses due to its unilateral sanctions.
The Kanggye Tannery has been newly built and inaugurated in Jagang Province. The tannery with more than 10 buildings and modern
December 13, 2025
The Kanggye Tannery has been newly built and inaugurated in Jagang Province. The tannery with more than 10 buildings and modern
The Enlarged Meeting of the 13th Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was held from
December 12, 2025
The Enlarged Meeting of the 13th Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was held from
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India from December 4 to 5. During his visit he met with the Indian President and had
December 12, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India from December 4 to 5. During his visit he met with the Indian President and had
More Articles
