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Busan

Restaurants in Busan

  1. Millak Town Raw Fish Centre

    This collection of raw-fish shops provides a rustic dining experience. Located at the northeast end of Gwang·an beach, purchase a fish for around and walk upstairs to eat; the woman selling you the fish will indicate which floor. Inside the seating area, your fish will be prepared and served for a per person fee.

    Raw fish is called hoe (회; sounds similar to 'when' without the 'n'). A typical raw-fish dinner starts with a small banquet of appetisers including raw baby octopus still wiggling on the plate. A platter of thinly sliced raw fish without rice is the main course. Fish is dipped into a saucer of chogochujang (초고추장), a watery red-pepper sauce, or a dish of soy…

    reviewed

  2. Pungmi Chueotang

    This scruffy-looking restaurant draws people from great distances for the chueotang (추어탕; loach soup). Made from ground loach and leafy cabbage, the dark green soup has a mild taste. If it's too mild, dip into the plastic tubs of seasoning, which includes sancho (산초), a brown spice that adds a rich, earthy flavour when used sparingly.

    With a self-serve counter of unlimited side dishes like baked fish and seaweed, it's an outstanding meal and one of the city's best deals. Getting here is not easy, though. Take a taxi from Seomyeon or Sports Complex station, Exit 11, and go to the main gate of Children's Park. Walk along the road to the right of the park entrance…

    reviewed

  3. A

    Beomtae Sonjjajang

    Here's a sterling example of a successful restaurant owner who won't update, modernise or even clean up the shop interior. According to superstition, the good fortune a successful shop enjoys could be lost if the interior were changed. Consequently, some shoddy-looking restaurants, like this one, serve great food. The jjambbong (짬뽕; spicy seafood soup), gunmandu (군만두; fried mandu) and tangsuyuk (탕수육; sweet-and-sour fried pork) are all excellent.

    reviewed

  4. Podo Cheong

    It's not the best sutbul galbi (숯불갈비; charcoal-fired barbecue) restaurant but it is very good. The main draw of this busy restaurant is the backyard barbecue feel in the outdoor patio. Lean moksal (목살; pork chop) tastes great though most Koreans choose samgyeopsal (삼겹살; bacon). Unless you're hoping to accelerate the likelihood of a heart attack, avoid this cut, which is essentially a slab of fat with a hint of pork.

    reviewed

  5. B

    Geumsu Bokguk

    Do you remember the Simpson's episode when Homer ate blowfish and was told he had 24 hours to live? This restaurant serves that fish. A worthwhile restaurant for anyone who wants to experience a seafood delicacy and earn bragging rights: I ate poisonous fish and survived. Stay on the 1st floor for relatively inexpensive dishes. Head upstairs and join the Japanese tourists who have a strong yen for the pricey sets. Located on a small lane across the street from the Paradise Hotel in Hae·undae.

    reviewed

  6. C

    Grandmother Lee's Raw Fish House

    Stop by for raw fish and you might end up partying until sunrise. It's a small restaurant with ground-floor fish tanks and space for groups upstairs. The affable Mr. Lee speaks English well and takes the time to explain the features of each fish. Walk to the eastern end of Hae·undae beach, turn left at the first street past the Mipo ferry terminal and then a quick right turn. It's the first restaurant on your right.

    reviewed

  7. Haryu

    If you don't need to pick a fish, walk up to the 2nd floor of the Millak town raw fish centre to a restaurant run by the English-speaking owner, Mr Jeon. Line 2 to Gwang·an station, Exit 5. At the top of the stairs, turn 180 degrees and then right at the first street. Walk 600m and turn left at the beach. The raw fish centre is the large brown building 300m down the road.

    reviewed

  8. Halmae Jaecheopguk

    Hungover in Gwang·an beach? Do what many Koreans do and stumble over to this restaurant respected for hangover remedies disguised as food. Jaecheopguk (재첩국; marsh clam soup) is a clear shellfish broth. Located on Gwang·an's one-way street opposite the Giant Step jazz bar; look for the 24-hour restaurant with a blinding yellow interior.

    reviewed

  9. D

    Gaemi Jip

    The speciality is nakji bokkeum (낙지볶음; octopus stew) a fiery dish that can cause customers to sweat profusely, so keep a good supply of beverages close at hand. Located on a small lane in Nampodong near the steps to Yongdusan Park, it's worth the effort to find this place if you want to try something different.

    reviewed

  10. E

    Dolgorae

    The interior looks like a penitentiary but the stern women who run this shop serve some of the city's best doenjang jjigae (된장찌개; spicy soy-bean stew). The soup bowls are small but with prices this low, order another set. Located at the end of a narrow lane one block west of the KB bank near B&C Bakery.

    reviewed

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  12. Sushi Mori

    The environs are not especially attractive but this restaurant in the Asiad Home Plus department store food court has sushi on a conveyor belt. If you'd prefer to eat on the run, go to the back of the store's grocery section and buy a box of sushi at unbelievably low prices. It's not outstanding quality but it is good.

    reviewed

  13. Gaboja Eonyang Bulgogi

    Located on Gwang·an's Eonyang Bulgogi one-way street, this sutbul galbi restaurant serves sumptuous though stratospherically expensive Eonyang beef. There is a belief in Korea that domestic beef - called Hanu - is superior in quality to imported meat and therefore warrants high prices.

    reviewed

  14. F

    Myeongseong Chobap

    A popular Japanese-style restaurant serving saengseon chobap and saengseonhoe koseu (생선회 코스, Korean raw fish set menu). Located in Jungangdong, it's 100m north of the Tower Hotel with 'sushi' written on the signboard.

    reviewed

  15. G

    Bonjuk

    When you need a break from Korea's flamethrower-hot food, try porridge. Juk (죽) comes in several flavours including vegetable and silky smooth pumpkin. It's outstanding stick-to-your-ribs food suitable for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

    reviewed

  16. H

    Ops Bakery

    You thought everything in Hae·undae was overpriced? Well, almost everything, now that Ops serves bacon and eggs for breakfast (weekdays 07:30 to 11:00, one hour later weekends). Located on the street opposite the Novotel Ambassador.

    reviewed

  17. I

    B&C Bakery

    One of the best places to stock up on carbohydrates before exploring Nampodong's back alleys. Pastries, cakes and a decent espresso bar are on the 1st floor; light meals are served upstairs.

    reviewed

  18. J

    Angel Hotel Coffee Shop

    When the idea of rice and kimchi for breakfast has you considering the benefits of fasting, try this economical and tasty option: bacon and eggs.

    reviewed