According to "Tonguibogam", a medical book edited early in the 17th century, terrapin soup and its grilled and powdered carapace are good for the treatment of arthritic pain due to moisture, indigestive jaundice caused by overdrinking, arthritis, neuralgia, etc.

Old cookbook "Kyuhapchongso" also says that smothered terrapin, to say nothing of its good taste, is efficacious for intestinal trouble.

Terrapin blood has been considered to have effects of not only curing various diseases but blackening hair and to be a tonic for children.

Now, the Pyongyang Terrapin Farm mass-produces terrapins on the basis of advanced breeding methods and technology and public catering establishments like the Delicacy House under Okryu Restaurant serve different terrapin dishes as tonic foods.