I met North Koreans in China's SECRET Korea town! 🤫

[@auslei]

朝鲜or Chosun is not North Korea, it meant Korean in general. Until late 90s, Chinese still called South Korea South Chosun. Even the South Korean news paper is still called Chosun daily.

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Thanks for the comment... Yeah, I know that 朝鲜 refers to Korea - more specifically it refers to the Korean-Chinese nowadays, as they are called 朝鲜族. The reason I translated the restaurant which says 地道朝鲜风味 as being 'North Korean style food' is because if they were talking about South Korean food, they'd call it 韩式料理, or something along those lines. They are more specifically referring to Korean-style food of the ethnic Korean Chinese minority group. And with 中国的朝鲜族, both their language and cooking style has a lot more in common with 北朝鲜 than 韩国. It's kinda complex, as you well know - and I just didn't want anyone to get confused watching it. But your comment does address something that definitely needs clarification - so I'm glad you mentioned it! Thanks for watching! Where are you from, BTW?

[@auslei]

@ hehehe, it sounds like you know a lot more about China than I do. I am Chinese but I grew up in Australia

[@chopsticksandtrains]

@@auslei Oh I doubt I know more... I'm sure you know a LOT more than me! But I have been here quite a while and know a thing or two 😋

[@chopsticksandtrains]

@@auslei Aussie Aussie Aussie, by the way!

[@auslei]

@ lol. Oi oi oi. I suppose. Nah, I think you know more. My impression of China is pretty much the 90s.

[@kellykelly5844]

Great video! I really enjoyed it.

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Thanks Kelly! 😊

[@david54181]

this was a great video man! keep up the good work

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Thank you David! I appreciate the good words, sir! 🙏

[@RodrigoPalma700]

Great and intersting video, thanks.

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kaparunina]

Incredible vid, and thank you for sharing everything! I hope to attend a North Korean themed restaurant one day, and honestly this vid was informative. Thank you again!

[@chopsticksandtrains]

This restaurant actually wasn't just North Korean themed - it was a legit North Korean State-run restaurant and the entire staff were North Korean. Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for the support!

[@kaparunina]

@ right you mentioned that in your video, thanks for the correction - need another coffee! Glad you had a great time!

[@chopsticksandtrains]

@@kaparunina ☕ I'm just getting started on cup #2 myself! Appreciate ya! 🙏🙏

[@rororororobobobobobo]

Reminds me of that North Korean BBQ I accidentally walked in to eat with my roommate in Beijing. We were going to eat at Annie's, but it was Friday night, 30+ minutes wait, and we were starving, waiting was not an option. So we walked around a bit and saw big pictures of meat with Korean only writing, so we were like, "Oh! Korean BBQ! Can't go wrong with this!" The second we stepped in, almost everybody turned around and stared at us, the service staff ladies looked a bit confused, however one of them came to greet us. As I said "两位" and she was about to guide us to our table, I've noticed her name tag with things written in Korean and Chinese, and a North Korean flag, (neither of us were able to see what was written there, too small)! That's when I connected the dots, the NK embassy is RIGHT BEHIND!" It doesn't look as "flamboyant" as that one in Shenyang, no stage, etc, but all the service staff were like top models, extremely polite, but not very chatty (but I think it's just Beijing, gratuitous friendliness is mostly in other cities). However we encountered situations where their "bad Chinese" and my "bad Chinese" were more efficient than talking to my Hebei native roommate, bringing up very funny situations hahah! As a side note, with my Mandarin being not nearly as good as yours, it happened quite often throughout the years, where I had an easier time communicating with other non-native speakers than with a local, I talked about that with my roommate, and we came to a conclusion that it's probably because Chinese is a second language (4th for me LOL) and we know the mistakes, etc hahah! My roommate also asked one of the girls where she got her lipstick from, because she really liked the color... The girl didn't know; she told her that someone else is in charge of ordering stuff for them, so she has absolutely no idea of what brand it is or anything, but she became really kind at that point, and realized we were just "randos" eating on a Friday night. Most of the patrons really looked like gvt office workers/party folks, a bit like Chinese ones, but more stylish, with much more "swag" if you want, a few tables had older guys with very obvious dyed hair where, and they seemed to be some sort of bosses, or managers; you could see the hierarchy there hahaha! Lots of beer, some Korean wine maybe? Else than that, two early 20's girls with very flashy hair and clothing style with a very heavy Beijing accent ... Maybe 2nd, or 3rd gen 朝鲜族 or smth? My best friend in Beijing is 3rd gen actually, and she speaks like 儿儿儿!!! Anyway, food was good, I've noticed they were using butter instead of lard for the bbq plate, we ordered cold noodles, but they were out that time, so we got raw beef with an egg and sugar on top + a few other things. My roommate being as Chinese as it gets, ordered enough food for 6 people and we ended up bringing A LOT back home. We went back a few times, I was in charge of the quantities lol, and finally got the cold noodles which were quite good! Anyway, if you go to Beijing sometimes, it's at the Northern part a pedestrian / restaurant street called 日坛上街, or 39号, it's just a bit south of Annie's Pizza, on the West side, ground level. This short street is perpendicular to the North side of 日坛公园, and right next (West) to the NK Embassy compound. The map link shows a travel agency, but it's around there: maps.app.goo.gl/iHZc7JNvJtPn9huA7 Message me if you need more info hahah! Anyway, loved your video as usual! Keep it up, the free internet needs more people like you who are not shilling for the gvt! 加油！

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Interesting story! Wow - sounds like one of those 'Only in China' kind of situations.. The unexpected surprises are often the funnest ones! Yeah, the restaurant I was in also had some 'interesting' looking customers as well. Especially two serious looking older guys in the back surrounded by well-dressed, women who were MUCH younger... They seemed to know all the staff quite well too. Thanks for the restaurant suggestion. Next time I'm in Beijing (if I ever go back - went there over a year ago and it is not what it used to be - didn't enjoy it at all) I might check that place out! I appreciate the good words, btw! 🙏

[@rororororobobobobobo]

@@chopsticksandtrains heyy welcome! Yeah, beijing is the direct opposite of fun and friendly, and it has been for many years. It's kinda sad how they killed the entertainment and culture sectors in the name of ideology, but at the same time every little effort of gaining brownie points to become palatable for the outside world they desperately need (although they'll never say it)... All that because of pompousness, pride in ignorance, and cult-like ideology! Chinese people are the ones suffering the most for the insecurity and lack of vision their cult leader and his goons have... Sad, sad, sad :/

[@jaydee6268]

Mr. Chopsticks, thank you for sharing. Very interesting. I would love to know how the food tasted, and how much the experience cost. Cool too that you had a surreal experience. Keep up the good work.

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Hey there! The Pyongyang cold noodles smelled TERRIBLE (due to all the fermented veggies in it), but tasted pretty good! The cost was reasonable, but more expensive than I expected. There's no way they're charging that price in Pyongyang - I can promise you that! What a night it turned out to be!

[@turquoise950]

Thanks for sharing your adventure and your Korean meal!

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Glad you enjoyed it! What a unique evening! Turned out to be a much more interesting trip than I expected!

[@turquoise950]

@chopsticksandtrains I would like to know more about how a North Korean state run restaurant exists in China. I am curious if the staff are government workers? What do they think about living in China? You mentioned you had a nice chat with one of the staff. Perhaps you could do a members video about that conversation.

[@chopsticksandtrains]

@@turquoise950 Good idea! I will do a quick bit on that in my next China News Flash! There are a couple interesting things of note that she told me. We talked for nearly 20 minutes, and finally I told her I'd better go because I was worried she might get into trouble

[@kellykelly5844]

Thanks!

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Wow - thank you so much Kelly! 🙏😊

[@laoma4131]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. Look like it was still warm there , I guess it was film in September or so.

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Yeah, it was filmed several weeks back! What an area! If I get the chance, I'll be back for round 2!

[@jgdyt]

Thanks for showing this. An FYI, I live in eastern China, and there are several businesses that employ North Korean servers. One hotel buffet that we often visit is mostly staffed with North Korean waitresses. My wife is Chinese and our children are mixed. The North Korean waitresses really like our kids. They are very open about their nationality and wear North Korean flag pins on their uniforms. The ladies are very nice. As for filming them, I have asked them to take selfies with me, and they say they cannot. All that said, isn't it against UN sanctions to hire North Korean workers? Also, why the refusal to have photos taken? They are very social and kind to us, but refuse photos. Are they afraid of something bad happening to them in North Korea if they are seen in a photo with a foreigner? Is it a matter of being told not to be photographed because China/N Korea doesn't want to show some possible violation of UN treaty?

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Very interesting. Yeah, I assumed they'd have an issue with being on camera. I'm not 100% of the reason, TBH. They were probably just told to avoid photos, ect and they are just following orders. When I was talking to one of the girls (we chatted for quite a while) I was asking her a little about life in North Korea and, as sweet as she was, she quickly corrected me. 'It's Korea, not North Korea,' showing that they just perceive the South as a breakaway, illegitimate rebel state. It just occured to me though - aren't China and North Korea supposed to be 'friends', or at least 'kinda friends'... :p China recognizes South Korea as a legimate state, as far as I know, and they also meet with South Korea officials, etc. I'm guessing Pyongyang really doesn't like this. I might take a deeper dive into it.

[@jgdyt]

@@chopsticksandtrains FYI - UN Security Council Resolution 2397, adopted in December 2017, specifically requires all member states to repatriate North Korean workers by December 2019. This resolution was part of a broader sanctions regime aimed at curbing North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs by cutting off its sources of foreign currency. Key points of the resolution: • It prohibits North Korea from sending workers abroad. • All member states were required to terminate existing contracts with North Korean workers by the end of 2019. • Exceptions were allowed for cases approved by the UN Sanctions Committee on humanitarian grounds. The resolution was adopted unanimously, meaning even China and Russia, which are often seen as allies or economic partners of North Korea, agreed to its terms. However, compliance with this resolution has been inconsistent. Reports suggest that some North Korean workers may still be employed in certain countries under disguised or informal arrangements, despite the official ban.

[@chopsticksandtrains]

@@jgdyt Yeah, wow.. that's interesting. Definitely plenty of North Koreans working in China and China is well aware of it, as is North Korea, since they approved them to work in China.

[@jm7578]

I truly want to visit a Korean town in China, I’ve been to some Korean neighborhoods in Qingdao Shandong. I hope to go back to China someday. I lived there for a long time.我學習中文在台灣和大陸。我很想念中國。

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Oh, very cool! Haven't been to Qingdao in ages! Thanks for watching and dropping a comment!

[@nmplab]

16:03 I think the SY at the start means Shenyang. It’d be too long to put the entire pinyin on there.

[@chopsticksandtrains]

I just looked at it again.... you're right... haha. Still looks like hell though, one long run-on word...

[@User-kjxklyntrw]

Chinese Korean not North Korean nor South Korean, they already in China before Korea Divided.

[@robustashorea4586]

As long as it's in chronological order, everything won't be weird. When the Korean people existed, the Korean peninsula had not yet established a country. In ancient times, people could migrate and move freely at will. It's like all human ancestors come from Africa, but you can't say that Koreans are Africans or that Africans are also people from other countries.

[@methylenedioxy818]

Awesome vid! Xita and Koreans in China are indeed not well-known. Thanks for sharing your experience. I was in Shenyang twice in 2003, 2005, and got taken to a nice Korean bbq restaurant with dog and raw beef. It was quite an experience! I'm guessing it was in Xita, but not sure. In several weeks there, I only saw 1 other foreigner, and he was Russian. Good times!

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Interesting! Did you try the dog? :p Wow - you were in old school China! Would have been epic back then! I first came to China in 2007, and it was night and day compared to now. But to be honest - I miss the old China. I prefer it over the modern one, for a variety of reasons!

[@methylenedioxy818]

@chopsticksandtrains yes I did try the dog - the one and only time in my life. When in Rome... Shenyang back then was rapidly changing. Lots of demolition and new construction between '03 and '05. China had more of a "wild west", "anything goes" feel back then compared to 10+ years later. I miss the "old China" too.

[@icedriver2207]

Little Pyon Yang if they are North Korean

[@zendatastudio]

Beautiful north east.

[@PS-383]

Interesting video. When u say "North Korea state run restaurant", do u literally mean the restaurant is owned and operated by the North Korean government?

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Yep, that's exactly what I mean. Pretty wild, 'ay? Those workers have to follow some certain rules while they are in China.

[@PS-383]

@@chopsticksandtrains Yes. That is really wild. Not withstanding those rules, hopefully the North Korean employees enjoy good working conditions while living in China.

[@taichiwinchester1102]

@@PS-383 They operate worldwide (not the western part of the world). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyongyang_(restaurant_chain) Unfortunately no, the working conditions are not that good. Employees are not allowed to roam around the cities alone, mingle with people of other nationalities, not well paid by local Chinese standards. Nevertheless working abroad in North Korean restaurants is still some of the best jobs available to NK college graduates, hence why the girls were beautiful, speak Mandarin, sing well and have good manners. They are not just any average North Koreans.

[@komboblast4044]

I hope to visit China in 2026. 🙂

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Not 2025?

[@komboblast4044]

@chopsticksandtrains Japan, Korea, Thailand, I plan to travel those countries. Next year

[@chopsticksandtrains]

@@komboblast4044 Super cool - you'll have an amazing time!

[@Runrunshaw100]

Yiguo liangzhi gangren zhigang

[@firstandlastname2390]

🇨🇳❤️🇰🇵

[@liufeng2095]

I actually dont like Talk with korean people in chinese, it is Better to comunícate with korean people in Other languages, otherwise there is no differente betreuen chinese and korean

[@louish2037]

Even if a Korean person talks in Chinese, they are still Korean? What is the difference??

[@liufeng2095]

@@louish2037 no they are for me chinese, Because in the past hundreds year, Immigrations to china, and chinese to Korea, so it is difficult to Identity Their roots and Even inside china there are different ethical group 56, so we think Those are chinese, Even mongolian, thai etc

[@yootoobvyooer]

Apparently, south koreans aren't allowed in places run by north Korean government including many restaurants.

[@mmhcc9907]

yeah it seems to be true. The only possible way is if the south koreans are really food at mandarin and they pretend to be Chinese, or if they act like they're from another asian country like Vietnam.

[@chopsticksandtrains]

Yeah, I have heard the same. And you'll notice, the first thing she asked me was "What country are you from?" (notice, I cut out the answer... I won't say more)

[@sagolsemromeo]

I don't think so. there's a few North Korean restaurants in Dalian too and me along with a few south Korean friends together went to state run n-Korean restaurant in xinghai square.. they didn't need to verify anyone's nationality..

[@yootoobvyooer]

@@sagolsemromeo so KZbinrs like Captain Brother are lying?

[@mmhcc9907]

@@chopsticksandtrains hahahaha I wondered how they reacted when you told them that you're born in america, maybe pretend you're canadian they probably can't tell the difference.

[@GARRYJackson-q1h]

Shenyang is a dump

[@huanwang-ur5ve]

ur mouth r dum p