Samtaesong (Korean: 삼태성청량음료) is a fast food restaurant chain headquartered in Pyongyang, North Korea.
 | |
| Industry | Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Genre | Fast food restaurant |
| Founded | May 2009 |
| Founder | Patrick Soh Quek Cher Lan Timothy Tan |
Number of locations | 30 (2020) |
| Products | |
History edit
The restaurant was founded by Singaporeans Patrick Soh, Quek Cher Lan, and Timothy Tan.[1] According to Soh, North Korean officials had sampled products from his Singaporean fast food restaurant Waffletown and wanted to introduce them to North Koreans.[2] The name Samtaesong, or "Three Huge Stars", refers to Supreme Leader Kim Jong Il, his father Kim Il Sung, and his mother Kim Jong Sook;[3] according to a report by Radio Free Asia, Samtaesong is "entirely owned" by Kim Jong Il's sister Kim Kyong Hui, while day-to-day operations are overseen by Vice Minister of Light Industry Kim Kyeong Oak.[3] The first Samtaesong outlet opened in May 2009 in Pyongyang.[4] As of June 2018, the restaurant has thirty outlets in North Korea,[4] a majority of which offer takeaway only.[5]
Menu edit
Samtaesong offers hamburgers marketed as "minced beef and bread" (Korean: 다진 소고기 겹빵[6]), alongside kimchi, waffles, fried chicken, hot dogs, and "Sausage, Egg and Cheese McGriddles".[7][8] The restaurant also serves coffee, smoothies,[9] and locally manufactured alcoholic beverages ranging from Pyongyang Cider to Kumgang Draft Beer.[3]
References edit
- ^ Low, Aaron (3 June 2018). "The other time Singapore gave North Korea a taste of America". South China Morning Post.
- ^ "What It's Like To Sell Burgers In North Korea (HBO)". VICE News. 19 November 2018.
- ^ a b c "Happy Meals in Pyongyang?". Radio Free Asia. 15 October 2009.
- ^ a b Khoe, Wei Jun (11 June 2018). "Singaporean brought fast food to Pyongyang". The Straits Times.
- ^ Maresca, Thomas (11 June 2018). "They're lovin' it: Meet the man who introduced the hamburger to North Korea". USA Today.
- ^ Jang, Taek-dong (12 December 2011). ""Minced Beef and Bread, Just Call It a Hamburger"... North Korea's Kim Jong-il Orders to "Follow the Original Pronunciation"". Donga. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ Talmadge, Eric (28 December 2018). "North Korea's 'Singapore shops' expose gap in sanctions push". The Associated Press.
- ^ "NK's First Fast Food Outlet Enjoying Popularity". The Korea Times. 12 October 2009.
- ^ "In North Korea, a burger by any other name". NBC News. 26 July 2009.
