North Korea

Travel tips for North Korea: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Cash is essential. International credit cards and ATMs do not work in North Korea due to strict financial isolation. Travelers must bring all spending money in hard cash—specifically Euros, USD, or Chinese Yuan—as tourists are forbidden from using local currency.

Try the food

  • Pyongyang Naengmyeon (평양냉면): Chewy buckwheat noodles are served in a tangy, ice-cold meat and radish broth, topped with sliced pork, cucumber, and half a boiled egg.
  • Taedonggang Beer (대동강맥주): This full-bodied, slightly sweet local lager is the most famous beer brewed in Pyongyang.
  • Injo Gogi Bap (인조고기밥): A popular local street food consisting of rice wrapped in a textured soybean paste skin and topped with a spicy chili sauce.

Say it in Korean

  • Hello: 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)
  • Thank you: 고맙습니다 (gomapseumnida)
  • Please: 부탁합니다 (butakhamnida)
  • Excuse me: 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida)
  • How much is this?: 얼마입니까? (eolmaimnikka?)
  • The bill please: 계산서 부탁합니다 (gyesanseo butakhamnida)
  • Yes / No: 네 / 아니요 (ne / aniyo)
  • Goodbye: 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo)

Essentials

Plugs
Type A / C / F
Voltage
220V, 60Hz
Driving
Right side
Tap water
Avoid — buy bottled
Emergency
119 (Ambulance/Fire), 112 / 110 (Police)
SIM tip
Foreigners can purchase a Koryolink tourist SIM card at Pyongyang airport, but it only allows international calls and heavily restricted internet access, with no communication permitted with local numbers.

Etiquette

Always show absolute respect to images, statues, and names of the country's leaders; never fold a newspaper containing their image or point at their statues with a single finger.

Airports in North Korea