Nampo Petrol Clams

Nampo petrol clams are, as the name implies, clams cooked in petrol. They are a specialty of Nampo, a major port on the west coast of North Korea, usually enjoyed by work groups or rare foreign tourists visiting the city and its spa centers. Clams are sourced from the Yellow Sea and are arranged in concentric circles on a fireproof surface, facing down, then sprayed with petrol and set on fire. There is a minimal risk of petrol getting inside the shell because clams do not usually open until forced by your fingers and nails. However, if they do open during the cooking or cannot be opened after they are removed from the fire, it's best to avoid consuming them. The cooking should take five to ten minutes, and once they are done, Nampo petrol clams are best paired with some local soju (it's believed soju kills any of the remaining bacteria).