Sushi in Pyongyang? At a restaurant run by a Japanese sushi chef famous for working for North Korea's late leader Kim Jong Il?
Kenji Fujimoto has opened his sushi restaurant in the North Korean capital, according to Canadian Michael Spavor, a consultant with a long record of working in the communist state. He was involved with NBA star Denis Rodman's trips to North Korea, and the two spent days with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who succeeded his father after his death in 2011.
It's rare to find a Japanese business openly operating in North Korea, because of strained relations between the two countries.
But Fujimoto is a special case. He worked for Kim Jong Il for many years. After Kim's death, Fujimoto reappeared in Pyongyang meeting with the new leader in images he shared with Japanese media.
Prices are high by Pyongyang standards, starting at $US50 ($A66) for a sushi set, and running to more than $US100 ($A131).
"There are many Koreans in Pyongyang who are able to afford these kind of high-end restaurants," Spavor said.
"And keep in mind also that Pyongyang has a lot of foreign diplomats, UN workers, businessmen from China and other countries who can also dine at this restaurant," Spavor said.
