Foraging for precious pine mushrooms on North Korea’s Mount Chilbo

2020-09-29 43

An Jin-hyok is a 28-year-old farmer who hunts for a precious fungus on North Korea’s Mount Chilbo. Pine mushrooms, also known as matsutake, are similar to truffles and prized for use in Korean, Chinese and Japanese cuisines for its distinct spicy-aromatic odour. Some believe the valuable delicacy can help prevent illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes.