Busan Food Guide: 10 Must-Visit Local Eateries

When planning a trip to Busan, most travellers immediately think of standard pork gukbap and milmyeon. However, this vibrant coastal city is an absolute paradise for food lovers, offering everything from historic local eateries to bustling hotspots. Here is a curated selection of 10 standout dining spots in Busan, verified through multiple visits and focused purely on exceptional flavour.

1. Leejaemo Pizza (Main Branch & Seomyeon Branch)

Originally a local favourite, this spot has grown into a nationwide sensation known for its incredible cheese pull.

• Recommended Dish: Leejaemo Crust Pizza (cheese crust is a must)

• Highlight: Generous amounts of Imsil cheese give each bite a rich, savoury flavour with a chewy crust. Do not forget to order the garlic dipping sauce.

• Waiting Tip: Both the main Nampodong branch and the Seomyeon branch experience massive queues. Remote queuing via Catch Table is unavailable, so aim for an open-run or visit slightly outside peak meal times. Takeaway orders can be placed quickly via kiosks.

2. Tonshou (Gwangalli Branch)

Regarded as a sanctuary among tonkatsu enthusiasts, this Gwangalli eatery serves premium pork cutlets with a pinkish, juicy centre.

• Recommended Dish: Berkshire K Rosukatsu, Hirekatsu

• Highlight: Subtle charcoal-smoked aromas provide an intense first impression, while the top-grade meat has a natural sweetness that shines even when dipped simply in salt.

• Warning: This is one of the hardest places to queue for in Busan. You must log onto the Catch Table app right at opening time to secure a spot.

3. Eomyongbaek Dwaeji Gukbap

Challenging traditional perceptions of Busan pork gukbap, this restaurant serves a clear, transparent broth rather than the usual milky white version.

• Recommended Dish: Busan-style Premium Dwaeji Gukbap

• Highlight: The broth is as clean and deep as samgyetang or gomtang, perfectly absorbed by the rice served mixed inside. Branches are located in Haeundae and Suyeong.

• Tip: Try placing the provided salted pollack roe on top of the meat for an explosion of umami.

4. Yeongdo Haenyeo Village

An outdoor spot where the atmosphere completes the dining experience, allowing you to enjoy seafood right by the Yeongdo shoreline to the sound of crashing waves.

• Recommended Dish: Seafood Platter, Sea Urchin Gimbap, Seafood Ramen

• Highlight: Place fresh sea urchin generously on top of gimbap, take a bite, and follow it with a sip of spicy seafood ramen broth. Outdoor seating is fiercely contested.

5. Haemok (Haeundae Branch)

A Nagoya-style eel rice bowl specialty restaurant featured on television programmes, recreating authentic Japanese flavours.

• Recommended Dish: Freshwater Eel Hitsumabushi

• Highlight: Follow the four-step instructions: eat it plain, with garnishes, poured over with dashi broth, and finally your preferred way. The charcoal-scented eel melts in your mouth.

6. Suminine (Cheongsapo)

Located in Cheongsapo near the Haeundae Blue Line Park capsule trains, this is a top destination for grilled shellfish.

• Recommended Dish: Grilled Shellfish Platter, Grilled Eel

• Highlight: Fresh scallops and pen shells are grilled over charcoal. A unique local method involves boiling shellfish juices, chilli paste, onions, and butter together in a small foil dish. Finish by adding ramen noodles to the leftover broth.

7. Baekhwa Yanggopchang (Jagalchi)

Situated inside Jagalchi Market, this offal centre immerses visitors in a bustling atmosphere filled with smoke and lively chatter.

• Recommended Dish: Salt-Grilled, Seasoned Grilled, Fried Rice

• Highlight: Rather than a single restaurant, multiple vendors operate in designated zones, cooking the meat directly on charcoal grills for you. Make sure to try the fried rice wrapped in seaweed at the end. (Store your outer layers in plastic bags to avoid lingering smoke odours.)

8. Geumsu Bokguk (Haeundae Main Branch)

Operating for 50 years, this spot is a celebrated hangover remedy destination for food enthusiasts across the country.

• Recommended Dish: Silver Pufferfish Soup (Jiri/Clear Soup recommended)

• Highlight: Loaded with bean sprouts and dropwort, the broth is exceptionally refreshing and clean. A dash of vinegar enhances the savoury depth, served boiling hot in an earthenware pot. Open 24 hours.

9. Igane Tteokbokki (Kkangtong Market)

Made famous through television appearances, this stall prepares its tteokbokki using moisture drawn solely from radishes instead of added water.

• Recommended Dish: Tteok-Twigim Set (Rice Cakes and Fried Fritters)

• Highlight: Thick rice cakes offer a chewy texture paired with the crunch of dried radish strips. The thick sauce balances a deep sweetness without becoming cloying. Sells out early.

10. Geoin Tongdak (Bupyeong Market)

Counted among the top three traditional fried chicken spots in Busan, offering a distinct market-style charm unlike commercial franchises.

• Recommended Dish: Half Fried / Half Seasoned Chicken

• Highlight: Fried in traditional cauldrons, the batter is extra crunchy like a biscuit with a subtle hint of curry aroma. Portions are remarkably generous for a single whole chicken.