From the old times, it is told that the taste of the food depends on the taste of the soy and bean paste. “Jungbosanrimgyongje”, a book written in the 18^th century, says that “Taste of soy and bean paste comes first among all the tastes of food. If the taste of soy and bean paste is not good, even fresh vegetable and meat would not make the delicious dishes.”

   Korean people used to take interests in the taste of soy and bean paste. Such that interests can be found in many Korean proverbs: “Delicious soy and bean paste will make the delicious soup.”, “Happiness will come to the house that has delicious soy and bean paste.”, and “You should first taste the soy and bean paste of the house and get a wife.” A custom of not visiting the other’s house on the day of making soy and bean paste means that the taste of the soy and bean paste will be transferred to the other’s house.

   In mid-February, Juche 51 (1962), the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung gave field guidance to Onchon County and called officials of the county Party committee and the manager of the county foodstuff factory on one evening.

   Pointed out that the taste of the Onchon soy and bean paste was the worst among the several places where he had visited, the great leader said strictly that the soy and bean paste supplied to the people shouldn’t be produced irresponsibly.

   The great leader said that soy and bean paste is second to rice in Korean food and even meat soup would not be nice if the taste of soy and bean paste was not delicious. He continued that soy and bean paste is important foodstuff of Koreans which cannot be dispensed with even for a single meal.

   The great leader said that in the past daughter-in-law who was not good at making soy and bean paste incurred the displeasure of mother-in-law, but if we don’t make soy and bean paste sweet, we will be criticized by people. He continued that we are making efforts to supply plenty of meat and eggs to people and there is no reason we cannot make good soy and bean paste for the people.

   Afterwards, the great leader sent qualified technicians and modern facilities to Onchon Foodstuff Factory.

   Thanks to the great leader’s benevolent measures, the soy and bean paste of Onchon County was popular among peopleand its taste became almost the same as the taste of Pyongyang soy and bean paste.