Busan is South Korea's second-largest city and a vibrant port metropolis on the southeastern coast, where dramatic mountains meet stunning beaches and a world-class seafood scene. Known for its colorful hillside villages, dynamic film festival, and lively beach culture, Busan offers a compelling alternative to Seoul with its own distinct identity. The city seamlessly blends urban energy with natural beauty, from the neon-lit streets of Seomyeon to the serene temples of Beomeosa.
Busan's culinary identity is shaped by its coastal geography and wartime refugee history. The city is synonymous with the freshest seafood in Korea - from the raw fish (hoe) and crab of Jagalchi and Gijang markets to the unique stews and soups born from Korean War-era ingenuity. Signature Busan dishes include dwaeji gukbap (pork and rice soup), milmyeon (wheat cold noodles), ssiat hotteok (seed-filled pancakes), and an extraordinary range of seafood preparations unique to the city.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Busan.
Dwaeji Gukbap
Busan's most iconic dish: pork and rice soup with milky bone broth, served with pickled kimchi and chili paste. A staple since the Korean War era.
Where to try: Halmae Gukbap, Gijang Daege Gukbap
Price: ₩8,000-12,000
Milmyeon
Chewy wheat noodles in cold anchovy broth with toppings of sliced pork and vegetables, invented by Busan refugees who had no buckwheat for traditional naengmyeon.
Where to try: Yoongyung Milmyeon and similar restaurants in Dong-gu
Price: ₩7,000-10,000
Ssiat Hotteok
Busan's version of the beloved Korean fried pancake, stuffed with seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, sesame) rather than just sweet syrup. The most famous snack at BIFF Square.
Where to try: BIFF Square street vendor, Nampo-dong
Price: ₩1,500
Hoe (Raw Fish)
Thinly sliced raw fish served with kimchi, ssamjang dipping sauce, and vegetables for wrapping. Busan hoe uses the absolute freshest local catch.
Where to try: Jagalchi Market restaurants, Millak Waterfront
Price: ₩20,000-50,000
Galchi Jorim
Braised hairtail fish in a spicy, sweet sauce with tofu and vegetables. A Busan favorite tied to the city's fishing heritage.
Where to try: Galchi Jorim Golmok alley, Nampo-dong
Price: ₩10,000-15,000
Nakji Bokkeum
Fiery stir-fried baby octopus with vegetables in a sauce made fearsomely spicy with gochugaru. Busan's version is notably hotter than versions elsewhere in Korea.
Where to try: Wonjo Halmae Nakji Bokkeum, Choryang
Price: ₩10,000-13,000
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Gijang Daege Gukbap
One of Busan's most legendary dwaeji gukbap restaurants, serving the city's signature pork and rice soup that has sustained locals since the Korean War era. The milky broth is rich and deeply flavorful, served with kimchi and condiments.
Known for: Busan's iconic pork and rice soup
Jungang-daero, Jung-gu, Busan
Halmae Gukbap
A legendary family-run gukbap restaurant that has been serving the same recipe for decades. The grandmother-style cooking yields an exceptionally clear but flavorful bone broth, beloved by generations of Busan locals.
Known for: Authentic grandmother-style gukbap, open 24 hours
Bujeon-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan
Jagalchi Market Restaurant Row
The second floor of Jagalchi Market is lined with restaurants where you can bring fish purchased downstairs and have it prepared to your liking. The raw fish (hoe) and grilled options are incredibly fresh and at market prices.
Known for: Market-fresh seafood cooked to order
Jagalchihaean-ro 52, Jung-gu, Busan
Wonjo Halmae Nakji Bokkeum
Famous throughout Busan for its extremely spicy stir-fried baby octopus, this no-frills restaurant serves a dish that perfectly encapsulates Busan's bold flavors. A true local institution that has been feeding fire-food lovers for decades.
Known for: Busan-style spicy stir-fried octopus
Choryang 1-dong, Dong-gu, Busan
Gijang Haemul Pajeon
Located in Gijang on Busan's eastern coast, this restaurant near Gijang Market is renowned for making the finest seafood and green onion pancakes (pajeon) in Korea. The pancakes are loaded with fresh local seafood.
Known for: Gijang-style seafood pancakes
Gijang Market, Gijang-gun, Busan
Yoongyung Milmyeon
Milmyeon (wheat noodles in cold broth) is a beloved Busan specialty invented during the Korean War when refugee women created new noodles from wheat flour. This renowned restaurant has served the dish to generations of locals.
Known for: Authentic Busan-style milmyeon
Beomil-dong, Dong-gu, Busan
The Bay 101
An upscale waterfront dining and entertainment complex on the Marina at Haeundae, The Bay 101 offers stunning views of Marine City's skyline reflected in the water. The restaurant serves refined Korean and Western cuisine in an elegant setting.
Known for: Waterfront fine dining with Marine City views
Dongbaek-ro 52, Haeundae-gu, Busan
La Yeon
A celebrated fine dining Korean restaurant at The Westin Chosun Busan, La Yeon offers an elevated take on Korean cuisine using premium seasonal ingredients. The restaurant has received accolades as one of Asia's finest Korean dining destinations.
Known for: World-class elevated Korean cuisine
Haeundaehaebyeon-ro 67, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Korean
Gijang Daege Gukbap
Halmae Gukbap
Jagalchi Market Restaurant Row
Wonjo Halmae Nakji Bokkeum
Gijang Haemul Pajeon
Yoongyung Milmyeon
The Bay 101
La Yeon
Busan Amso Galbijip
Hwangso Gobchang
Goejeong Maeuntang
Galchi Jorim Golmok
Oimari Soondae
Pohang Mul Hoe
Cafe Bora Haeundae
Seomyeon Food Street
Budnamjip Bokkeum Ganjang Gejang
Millak Waterfront Restaurant
Tosokchon Samgyetang
Mansei Pojangmacha
Biff Square Hotteok Vendor
Beomeosa Sansongheoui
Gajin Noodle House
Daeyeon Soju Bang
Oncheon Hanyak Galbi
Gijang Daege Haesanjmul
Dongnae Pajeon Alley
Yeongdo Bokguk Town
Haeundae Eel Street
Itaewon Chicken
Centum City Food Court
Busan Jeonju Kongnamul Gukbap
International Pub Food
Oswald's Pub Busan
Thai
Thai Kitchen Haeundae
Western
Sun at Six
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Ssiat Hotteok
Seed-stuffed sweet pancake, Busan's most beloved street snack
Find it at: BIFF Square, Nampo-dong
Tteokbokki
Chewy rice cakes in sweet-spicy sauce
Find it at: Seomyeon Underground Food Street
Odeng (Eomuk)
Fish cake skewers in broth, especially popular in winter
Find it at: Markets, street carts citywide
Dakgalbi
Spicy stir-fried chicken with vegetables and rice cakes
Find it at: Nampo-dong, Seomyeon
Twigim (Fried Items)
Deep-fried vegetables, shrimp, and dumplings
Find it at: Gukje Market, street vendors citywide
Gyeranppang
Oval-shaped bread with whole egg baked inside, a sweet-savory snack
Find it at: Haeundae Beach promenade
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Jagalchi Market
Korea's largest seafood market with hundreds of vendors selling live and fresh seafood, plus 2nd floor restaurants
Hours: 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Gukje Market
Massive traditional market with food alleys serving bindaetteok, gukbap, and snacks amid stalls selling goods of all kinds
Hours: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Gijang Market
Northeastern Busan fishing market famous for crab, seaweed, and haemul pajeon restaurants surrounding the market
Hours: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Bupyeong Kkangtong Market
Night market and food market in Nampo-dong area with vendors from 9PM until late
Hours: 9:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Many traditional restaurants open very early (from 6AM) for breakfast soups like gukbap
In Korea, side dishes (banchan) are refilled for free - do ask for more
Menus in smaller restaurants may be Korean only - photos help, or point to what other tables have
Koreans typically don't share plates but share stews and grills at the center of the table
Service is not expected to be slow - Korean dining culture moves quickly
- Vegetarian
- Challenging but improving. Buddhist temple food restaurants near Beomeosa and dedicated vegetarian restaurants in Seomyeon/Haeundae offer options. Many dishes contain fish or meat broth.
- Halal
- Limited halal-certified restaurants. A few in Haeundae near the tourist area. Check HalalTrip app for current options.
- Gluten free
- Korean cuisine uses a lot of soy sauce (containing wheat). Inform staff of allergies. Rice-based dishes are generally safer.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₩5,000-15,000 per meal | Street food, pojangmacha, gukbap restaurants, and food courts |
| Mid-range | ₩20,000-45,000 per meal | Sit-down seafood, Korean BBQ, and mid-range restaurants |
| Upscale | ₩70,000+ per meal | Fine dining tasting menus and premium seafood restaurants |