"Chukbae!": The rise of North Korean beer | NK News
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September 21, 2026Sep 21, 2026

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“Chukbae!”: The rise of North Korean beer

Increased quantity and quality herald social change, but large-scale export remains unlikely

Three North Koreans walk into a bar. They order a Ponghak, a Taedonggang, and a Rakwon. The bartender apologizes: they’ve only got a new beer, Ryongsong, on hand.

“No problem, we’ll have three of those!” says the Rakwon-drinker and goes to the toilet. The bartender brings three Ryongsongs.

The Ponghak-drinker takes a sip and grimaces in disgust: “That’s terrible.” The Taedonggang-drinker takes a sip and is sick into the glass: “This is disgusting.”

They storm out, leaving the glass of regurgitated beer. The Rakwon-drinker, back from the toilet, grabs the glass and, before the speechless bartender can interject, downs it.