Busan has it’s own unique food culture that is worth appreciating. When I traveled to Busan, I was surprised to find that the food was different from food that I typically found in Seoul. Here are 10 foods unique to Busan that you must try when you visit!
Top 10 Things to Eat in Busan
[1] Dwaeji Gukbap (Pork Soup) 돼지국밥
Pork Soup (Dwaeji Gukbap) is what Busan is known for. It’s a spicy bone broth with lots and lots of scallions and a generous helping of pork belly meat. You season it with salted fermented shrimp. Dwaeji means pig in Korean, and Gukbap means Soup rice.
Try the pork soup at Masan Sikdang (마산식당) at 839-53, Beomcheon-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan.
[2] Ssiat Hotteok (Seed Pancake) 씨앗호떡
Ssiat Hotteok (Seed Hotteok) is another Busan specialty. Hotteok is like a donut with made of gluttonous rice flour dough with caramelized brown sugar and cinnamon inside, and Busan adds its own twist by adding a scoop of nuts and seeds, which makes it extra savory.
You can get this anywhere on the street around Gukje Market & the neighboring markets, but if you are looking for a specific place, try Seung-Gi SSiat Hotteok (승기씨앗호떡) at 5-1 Nampo-dong, Jung-gu, Busan.
[3] Milmyeon (Cold Wheat Noodles) 밀면
Milmyeon are cold noodles , in a chicken or beef broth similar to naengmyeon. But unlike naengmyeon noodles which are made from muckwheat, milmyeon noodles are made from flour. They are really refreshing especially in the summertime. Milmyeon can be served spicy as well, and in this case, will be called “bibim milmyeon.”
Try it at Gukje Milmyeon (국제밀면) at 242-23, Geoje-dong, Yeonje-gu, Busan.
[4] Eomuk or Oden (Fish Cake) 어묵 or 오뎅
Fish cakes, otherwise known as oden in Japanese or Eomuk in Korean is a processed seafood product that purees various cuts from white fish with salt, and steamed until fully cooked. Busan is known for having the best quality oden in Korea, and may have different varieties that you can’t find elsewhere. I particularly liked the cheese oden, and brought a whole bag home to enjoy back in Seoul.
You can find multiple stands selling this at Kkangtong Market, but if you are looking for a specific place, try it at Samjin Eomuk (삼진어묵) at 1187-1, Choryang-dong, Dong-gu, Busan.
[5] Samgyeopsal Gimbap (Pork Belly Gimbap) 삼겹살 김밥
Samgyeopsal, or pork belly, literally means “3 layer meat” in Korean. Kimbap are basically rice with and thinly sliced vegetables, pickles & some sort of protein wrapped in seaweed and then sliced into bite sized pieces. Typical fillings include ground beef, tuna, fish cake and anchovies. Busan makes its own special version of kimbap using pork belly meat. I have not seen this in Seoul.
You can find this inside Kkangtong Market (깡통야시장).
[6] Haemul Pajeon (Seafood Scallion Pancake) 해물파전
Seafood Scallion Pancake or Haemul Pajeon are made of rice flour, seafood, and fresh green onions and then fried like a pancake. You dip your pancake in a sauce of soy sauce and vinegar with onions, giving it a little bit of a salty tang. Busan pancakes are really heavy on the scallions compared to other haemul pajeon that i’ve had.
Try it at Somunnan Dongrae Pajeon (소문난돌래파전) 208-8, Oncheon-dong, Dongrae-gu, Busan.
[7] Busan Bibim Dangmyeon (Chewy Spicy Glass Noodles) 부산 비빔당면
Busan Bibim Dangmyeon is cold, chewy glass noodle dish, topped with egg, vegetables, seasoned seaweed and spicy sauce. It tastes like a noodley bibimbap and you can find it on the street carts at local markets.
Try it at Wonjo Kkantong Golmok Bibim Dangmyun (원조깡통골목비빔당면) at 11-30, Bupyeong-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Busan.
[8] Raw Fish at Jagalchi Market
Sashimi at Jalgachi Market – It can be pricey, but if you are into raw seafood, check out some of the restaurants near Jalgachi market. You can try live baby octopus, so fresh that its still moving on your plate when its served, alongside some abalone, sea cucumber, and penis fish. Try it anywhere at Jagalchi Market.
[9] Moolhwe (Cold Sashimi in a Watery Broth) 물회
Moolhwe, or cold sashimi in water with vegetables in spicy sauce – Busan has its own style – its based on the fish caught in the local area. When older Koreans visit the beach, one of the big things that they do is look for cool hwe to eat. Now its trending with some younger Koreans, and they will add things like uni (sea urchin).
Try it at Myeongpum Mulhwae (명품물회) 618-1, Sirang-ri, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan.
[10] No. 18 Wandang Mandu (Chinese Dumplings) 18번 완당집
Wandang (Wonton) Mandu in Nampo dong serves Chinese dumplings with anchovy soup brewed for 12 hours. Your’e probably wondering why should I try Chinese food in Korea? Well, maybe I ran out of busan specialty foods to talk about in this video! But honestly this is actually a really famous restaurant in Busan. Because Busan is a port city, it has a lot of influence from china and Japan. If you aren’t into spicy food, this is a safe bet.
No.18 Wandang (18번완당) is located at 1-1 Nampodong 3(sam)-ga, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea.
Hope you found this helpful! If you are looking for things to do, check out my Busan Weekend Travel Guide!