The Yanggakdo International Hotel is one of the primary locations tourists to North Korea stay at. We’ve talked about it a lot on here, it’s on most of our itineraries, but what about the specifics of what it has to offer? What facilities does it have? For those who don’t know much about this resort, here we’re going to explore the Yanggakdo Hotel’s Revolving Restaurant! Situated at the very top of the building, this classic bar and eatery offers a great view of all around Pyongyang at night! It’s certainly a favourite for visitors to relax in and spend their evenings after a long North Korea tour!
So first things first, navigation! How do you get to the Yanggakdo Hotel’s Revolving Restaurant? Presuming you’re already in the hotel and staying there, the restaurant is based on the 47th floor. However, only two specific elevators in the lobby can take you up there, clearly marked with a sign at the top saying “revolving restaurant“. Sometimes, you might have to wait around for these to come as they also cover other floors too. As a word of caution, it is not possible to go up to the upper residential floors and access the facility by stairs.
Once you get to the restaurant, you will see inevitably it is a circular facility with the seating set upon a slow rotating platform. Unless you have been booked here for a scheduled meal by your guides which can sometimes happen, it is not a formal “sit down” restaurant, so you won’t be ushered to a table and obligated to order food. Instead, it is normally quiet enough for you to sit where you like and the staff may wait for you to seek out their attention first. There are numerous things you can order. If you are seeking out drinks, there are a range of alcoholic beverages available including Taedonggang Beer, Ponghak Beer, Vodka and other spirits. There are also a variety of soft drinks available, including North Korean brand milkshakes!
If you’re feeling hungry, the food menu contains a variety of Korean, Western and Chinese foods, ranging from full dishes to simple snacks and appetizers! These are obviously prepared upon the point of order and may take a while to arrive, so make sure you have plenty of time on your hands! The feedback of visitors to food ordered here has been mixed. Overall, it’s perceived as being better used as a bar. Like all restaurants in North Korea, the facility has a piano and a karaoke set available for those who wish to use it!
Overall, this is the Yanggakdo Hotel’s Revolving Restaurant. The view of the city at night is amazing, as you can see Juche Tower, the Mansudae Grand Hill Monument and the Ryugyong Hotel all lit up in their glory, as well as the surprising evening traffic visible in the city. It’s good for an atmospheric feel of the DPRK and of course, it’s a good place to chill too!
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