How much is a small bun in North Korea? The price tag says 2,000 North Korean won.

That translates to about U.S.$20 or 133 yuan at the official exchange rate, making the isolated country the most expensive place to live.

Once, a friend of mine sneaked out of Yanggakdo Island outside Pyongyang (foreigners are required by their minders to stay put once on the island) under cover of darkness and bought a bun. He gave the salesman 10 yuan and received an 11,000 won change.

When I went to Pyongyang during the Easter holiday, I ended up having to solve the currency