One day in November, 1999 Kim Jong Il who had a talk with an official suddenly brought into conversation the noodle with Obuk (soft part of beef in the belly just under ribs), one of royal foods in the olden times.
He said that the royal families had had noodles with Obuk as flavored shreds, which occupies only small part in one ox.
The official was surprised because Kim Jong Il brought the royal food into conversation all of a sudden.
Kim Jong Il told him that the noodle with Obuk could be served for a few people but it would be difficult to serve it to the masses. He further told that he wanted to serve the noodle as good as Obuk noodle to the people and it was his decision.
The official can’t help being surprised.
In those days, the DPRK had to go through arduous march.
After reading his mind, Kim Jong Il said it is possible. He further said that it would be difficult to use Obuk as flavored shreds as it is not enough but if chicken produced in newly built factories can be used with various seasonings including sesame oil, it would be as good as Obuk noodle in terms of taste and nourishment.
And he personally named it meat tray noodle and took concrete measures for the supply of chicken and seasonings.
In many restaurants in Pyongyang city including Okryu and Chongryu restaurants, the meat tray noodle which is as good as Obuk tray noodle is served to the working people, amidst warm affection of Leader Kim Jong Il.
