What It's Like To Sell Burgers In North Korea (HBO)

North Korea is not a capitalist country, so the number of people who’ve actually done business there is quite small. Among them is Patrick Soh, who helped bring fast food to Pyongyang back in 2009, and Geoffrey See, who started Choson Exchange, a group that brings business professionals into North Korea to teach people there how to run businesses.

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[VICENews]

How much of a shift for the nation does the burger business signify?

[LittlebigG]

Are we just gonna ignore the fact that he ordered a hot coffee with mash potato?

[afatcatfromsweden]

”What is it like to sell burgers in NK”

*shows no burgers and tries to make the video about the trump and kim meeting*

[biggiehwan]

i still don't know what it's like to sell burgers in north korea

[yougotrickrolled]

Why are they just throwing out trump questions?

[Max_Marz]

Man this segment really feels like you're not trying to pay attention to what the person being interviewed is saying and more just preparing your next trump question.

[SankofaNYC]

I think I heard Donald Trump's name more than I heard the word burger... This shit is so upsetting

[Photojouralist]

The dude speaks perfect English do you really need to use subtitles ?

[deeboy]

This didn’t tell me what selling burgers was like

[tja]

For those who were disappointed in the politicization of a burger place here is some info:
-In November 2008, the three Singaporean partners began making trips to North Korea to set up their flagship store and train the local staff. One year and US$200, 000 later, Samtaesong, or Three Big Stars, was born.

-Located at the Kumsong Intersection in Pyongyang, it mainly serves burgers, which the North Korean government refers to as “minced beef with bread” to mask their American origins. Samtaesong also sells fried chicken, french fries, hotdogs, Belgian waffles and even draught beer.

-Its cheapest burger starts at €1.20 (S$1.90), while the fried chicken is the most expensive item on the menu at €3 (S$4.70).

-While the kitchen equipment, waffle mix and seasoning for the chicken were imported from Singapore, Samtaesong’s recipes are adapted to suit the locals’ tastebuds. The coleslaw has been substituted with kimchi (Korean pickled cabbage), and every burger comes with more vegetables as the government “hates the idea of junk food”, according to Mr Quek.

-Samtaesong, being walking distance of several universities, foreign embassies and subway stations, became an immediate hit with both the locals and diplomats.
The 24-hour fast-food restaurant has since expanded rapidly, with at least two new branches opened following the success of the first. Up to 300 burgers are reportedly sold daily at each of its outlets. The trio now owns six convenience kiosks, a cold room for food storage, and an entire food processing plant to cope with the business demands.Its popularity has also inspired the North Korean government to set up a few other restaurants selling Western cuisine, such as pasta and pizza.
source (mustsharenews)

[jakobie]

They are clearly speaking in English. Grammatical accuracies and accent aside. If the reporter was subtitled, it would've been fair. Otherwise, this simply feels selective.

[frights]

No subtitles when the black woman is talking but subtitles when the 2nd asian dude is speaking clearly and concisely. Wtf vice?

[mohaamd_]

Why do you have to politicize everything.

[jltcuba]

Why is the Geoffrey guy subtitled? He speaks English perfectly fine. No need for that...

[stuffz]

Conversation with a vice reporter:
“Hey! How was your day today? I just went to this new coffee shop, and they have some pretty good espressos.”

Vice Reporter: “Wow, that’s great. Now, how would you think President Trump would react to the coffee? Is there any advice you have for Trump when he wakes up in the morning and makes his own coffee? Also, how do you think the US should be run? Do you agree with what trump says?

[novabxnynova]

That instructor doing the workshops Is very smart, he knows more about politics that most politicians and he’s a business instructor

[btdownloadking]

Subtitles for both guys, even the 2nd guy who speaks perfect English and works in the education field, yet the video about migrant crisis in Italy doesn’t have subtitle, hmm....

[dPrintingMillennial]

I'm so glad they went with Waffletown instead of KFC or Mickey D's.

[hanzhaiqyl]

as a singaporean myself, once i hear him speak, i straightaway knew hes one of us

[Terribleathletes]

Typical Vice. I clicked on a video hoping to learn about a fast food restaurant in Pyongyang, and all I got was orange man bad.