Hyesan street food vendors squeezed by soaring prices
Street food vendors in Hyesan are struggling to survive as ingredient costs soar in November 2026. Raising prices drives customers away, but holding prices steady leaves vendors with almost no profit. Hyesan sits on the Yalu River across from Changbai, China, in North Korea’s mountainous north. The city is the capital of Ryanggang province, and […]
Hyesan street food vendors in North Korea are grappling with soaring prices and dwindling profits as ingredient costs continue to rise in November 2026. The city, located on the Yalu River opposite Changbai, China, in North Korea's mountainous north, relies heavily on cross-border trade. Street vendors sell popular dishes like tofu rice, artificial meat rice, rice cakes, and blood sausage, but are struggling to make ends meet.
A source in Ryanggang province stated that vendors are frustrated by the situation, as their income has shrunk due to high ingredient costs. The Chinese yuan trades at approximately 14,000 North Korean won in Hyesan, leading to increased prices for rice and other goods. Small vendors who cannot pass their costs onto customers quickly are being hit the hardest by the weakened won.
The suspension of smuggling across the Chinese border has also contributed to the vendors' plight, as it once helped keep market sellers busy and well-fed. Pyongyang is now expanding official trade through state customs houses, but this has not significantly improved the lives of ordinary Hyesan residents. Street food vendors feel left behind by the new trade arrangements, and many residents express anger that the increased cargo movement benefits only the wealthy and the state.
Written by urgent.news from Daily NK's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
