Busan Food Guide: Essential Culinary Stops Before the Sea

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Busan foodKorean cuisineBusan travel

When planning a trip to Busan, diving straight into the sea might be the usual instinct, but exploring the city's rich culinary landscape is an absolute priority. Seven food experts share their curated 1-day or 2-day itineraries filled with local heritage, deep-rooted local flavours, and world-class dining experiences.

Choi Jeong-yoon's 1-Day and 2-Day Itineraries

Choi Jeong-yoon, chairperson of the Narok Academy and the Korean chair of 'Asia's 50 Best Restaurants', fell in love with Busan's nature and vibrant locals. She has compiled a list of 400 spots, condensing them into a tailored 1-day and 2-day gourmet tour for travellers.

Day 1

* 09:30 - Jungang Sikdang: A 50-year-old institution famous for clear fresh monkfish soup (saengdaeguk-tang). Enjoy it with neat side dishes like grilled fish, seasoned seaweed, and blanched squid.

* 10:30 - E테르 (Ether): Head to Yeongdo's Huinnyeoul Culture Village to enjoy open views of the Yeongdo sea with a cup of coffee.

* 11:30 - Samsong Chobap & Gukje Market: Pick up Busan's signature 100-layer rolled egg gimbap (futomaki) and seed hotteok as snacks.

* 12:30 - Yeongdo Jeoryeong Haenyeo Village: Enjoy sea urchin for 10,000 KRW overlooking the sea, creating your own 'sea urchin gimbap' using the egg gimbap packed earlier.

* 18:00 - Yeongdo Pocha & Geoje Pocha: Atmospheric local spots serving grilled dishes, spicy cartilage, chicken feet, spam, and glass noodle dumplings paired with soju.

Day 2

* 09:00 - Jinju Sikdang: Cure your hangover with mackerel hangover soup styled like old-fashioned sigeuk-guk. Operates from 4:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

* 11:00 - Donald & Imo Donas: Enjoy instant tteokbokki at Donald, followed by sweet shaved ice cream (ppeong-keurim) and old-school style donuts at Imo Donas.

* 12:30 - Yetnal Omakjib: Famous for high-quality seasoned beef intestines (yang-gopchang) grilled over charcoal. Finish with a rich crab soybean paste stew and rice, or scorched rice with dried hairtail.

Ryu Tae-hyuk's Gourmet Route

Chef Ryu Tae-hyuk, running restaurants in Shanghai like Nabi, Wuli, and Genesis, explores Busan's deep-rooted ingredients such as Deokhwa Myeongran and Seed's Gijang seaweed.

Day 1

* 11:00 - Suyeong Bonga Dwaeji Gukbap: Start with Busan-style hangover offal soup or pork belly soup.

* 14:00 - Momos Coffee (Domheon Branch): Savour hand-drip coffee with distinct fruitiness and acidity, paired with cheese terrine.

* 18:30 - Palette: Fine dining in Haeundae overlooking the scenery, recommended with wine pairing.

Day 2

* 10:00 - Ananti At Busan Cove: Begin the day with open-air hot spring baths overlooking the sea.

* 12:00 - Ilgwang Bada Hoetjip: Order natural raw fish, spicy anchovy salad, and monkfish soup.

* 15:00 - Anjib: A bakery offering Myeongran honey butter toast featuring Deokhwa Myeongran.

* 18:00 - Wonjo Jipbul Gomjang-eo Gijang Oegajip: Savour straw-fired hagfish dipped in sesame oil, paired with perilla leaves and seaweed stems.

* 20:30 - Daegwang Yanggopchang: Start with salt assorted grilled offal, add seasoned grilled offal, and finish with fried rice.

* 22:30 - Wonjo Kkomagimbap: Late-night street food at Nampodong pocha with tteokbokki, water rice cake, and mini gimbap paired with Daesun somaek.

Lee Tae-ho's Local Picks

Blogger Lee Tae-ho highlights Busan's lived-in charm where gukbap, raw fish, bread, and coffee seamlessly coexist.

Day 1

* 13:00 - Pyeongsanok: A 4-generation family-run restaurant near Busan Station serving clean pork broth, newly listed in the Michelin Bib Gourmand.

* 16:00 - Lee Jae-mo Pizza: Famous for thick cheese and classic toppings, with kimchi fried rice as a signature side.

* 19:00 - Kkeomeokdongne: A local old-school spot near Gijang Chilam serving conger eel sashimi (anagohoe) eaten with soybean powder and red chilli paste.

Day 2

* 09:00 - Ilgwang Bada Hoetjip: Enjoy anchovy rice wraps (myeolchi-ssambap) and natural raw fish.

* 11:00 - Chilam Sayeong: A bakery by Master Baker Lee Heung-yong offering salt bread and Chilam dolmanju.

* 12:00 - Hapcheon Gukbapji: A pork soup restaurant beloved by Michelin 1-star Palette Chef Kim Jae-hoon, known for its clear, clam-like broth.

Bae Dong-ryeol's Classic Selections

Bae Dong-ryeol, CEO of Bimiriya Boutique, explores spots ranging from old-school venues to trusted local favourites.

Day 1

* 12:00 - Eunhae Galchi: Serves large grilled, braised, and souped hairtail fish from Jeju with rich side dishes.

* 18:00 - Pohang Mulhoetjip: Famous for assorted raw fish and brothless sliced raw flatfish (chamgajarihoe).

Day 2

* 08:00 - Ajeossi Daegutang: Clear and refreshing frozen cod soup with sliced radish.

* 09:00 - Mipo Japtan: Stalls near Mipo where you can buy fresh seafood and octopus to enjoy with drinks.

* 12:00 - Hapcheon Gukbapji: Clear, clean, and refreshing assorted separate gukbap filled with meat, offal, and sundae.

* 18:00 - Gimhae Sikdang: Exquisite monkfish slices (agu suyuk) and monkfish soup.

Kim Jung-ah's Gourmet Highlights

Day 1

* 10:00 - Geodae Dwaeji Gukbap: Umami-packed basic pork soup with plenty of chives and garlic.

* 11:30 - Climat: Wine shop and bar to pick up Champagne or white wine for the trip.

* 13:00 - Singsing Bollakhoe Haeundae Main Branch: Rockfish sashimi served with seaweed soup, shrimp marinated in soy sauce, fried dishes, and spicy stew.

* 15:00 - Park Hyatt Busan: Relax with ocean views and yacht scenery.

* 18:00 - Piotto: Michelin Green Star and 1-star farm-to-table restaurant focusing on fermentation, aging, and rare native ingredients.

Day 2

* 10:00 - Ops: Bakery stop for retro bread like pudding danish, Myeongran baguette, and hagwonjeon.

* 12:00 - Haeundae Amso Galbi-jip: 60-year-old institution serving diamond-cut raw ribs, seasoned ribs, and brisket bulgogi finished with potato noodles.

Jung Ri-na's Vibrant Itinerary

Day 1

* 12:00 - Busan Myeongmul Hoetjip: Sliced sea bream and flounder sashimi served with hairtail fish salted fermented entrails or braised seaweed, finishing with white sea bream clear soup.

* 18:00 - Palette: Refined seasonal French-technique dining featuring dry-aged Gimhae duck steak.

* 22:00 - Corduroy Fellaz: A bar known for pistachio tiramisu and french fries.

* 24:00 - San: A nearby spot to close the night with a 'Santini'.

Day 2

* 18:00 - Dongbaek Park Morning Walk & Picnic at Westin Josun Busan: Purchase sandwiches and coffee at 'Josun Deli Beach' for a scenic coastal walk.

Son Seok-ho's Atmospheric Drinking Spots

Day 1

* 16:00 - Cheonghae Halmae-jip: Seafood caught by local female divers and abalone porridge right by the Gijang sea.

* 18:00 - Fuzzy Navine Gwangalli Branch: Ocean-view terrace bar serving Long Island Iced Tea and Busan Healing Burger.

* 20:00 - Daesangho: Outdoor tented pochas at Songdo beach serving freshly caught raw fish.

* 22:00 - Simyasikdang Kuma: Counter-seating spot serving daily changing dishes prepared by the chef.

Day 2

* 12:00 - Sansugapsan: Direct-flame grilled pork ribs with a smoky aroma.

* 15:00 - Huijamae: Shellfish restaurant located at Songdo Amnam Park offering retro seaside ambiance.

* 18:00 - Yangssisanghoe: Trusted spot near Jagalchi for sliced raw fish, especially red seabream yubiki.

Practical Tips

* Transport & Booking: Many popular spots like Lee Jae-mo Pizza and Haeundae Amso Galbi-jip experience long queues; consider takeout or planning ahead.

* Operating Hours: Certain spots like Jinju Sikdang operate only during early morning to early afternoon hours (4:00 AM to 1:00 PM).

* Local Pairings: Enhance local dishes such as gukbap, raw fish, and grilled offal with regional alcohols like Daesun soju or collaborative local wines.