K-Food City by City – Busan

Welcome to Busan, South Korea’s bustling coastal metropolis and a paradise for food lovers. This Busan food guide will introduce you to the must-try dishes and culinary experiences that make this city a flavorful adventure. From its soulful dwaeji gukbap (pork and rice soup) and refreshing milmyeon (wheat noodles) to ocean-fresh seafood feasts and addictive street snacks like ssiat hotteok, here’s how to savor the best of Korean cuisine in Busan.

Dwaeji Gukbap – The Soulful Pork Soup Bowl

No dish is more synonymous with Busan than dwaeji gukbap, a humble yet hearty pork and rice soup that warms both body and soul. Dwaeji gukbap originated in Busan and is made by simmering pork bones for hours to create a rich, milky broth, then adding tender boiled pork slices and rice into the soup. Each steaming bowl arrives unseasoned, allowing you to customize it to your taste – at the table you’ll find saeujeot (salted tiny shrimp), chopped garlic, green chili peppers, and a heap of fresh chives to mix in. The result is a deeply comforting stew with layers of flavor: the creamy pork broth, the succulent meat, and the zing of added condiments.

Busan is often called the “city of dwaeji gukbap” because of its countless restaurants dedicated to this dish. In fact, near Seomyeon Station there’s an entire Gukbap Alley (also known as Seomyeon Food Street) where the aroma of pork soup wafts through the air day and night. Many spots are open 24 hours, keeping their cauldrons bubbling around the clock – a testament to how beloved this soup is. Locals might tell you dwaeji gukbap is the ultimate comfort food, great for refueling after a day at the beach or even as a hangover cure. Don’t leave Busan without trying a bowl of this soulful soup, perhaps accompanied by a side of suyuk (sliced boiled pork) and spicy kimchi. One sip of the rich broth and you’ll understand why Busan’s pork soup is legendary.

Milmyeon – Busan’s Cool Wheat Noodle Delight

When the summer heat hits Busan, nothing beats a chilled bowl of milmyeon. Milmyeon, meaning “wheat noodles,” is Busan’s famous take on cold noodles and has an origin story as unique as its taste. During the Korean War, refugees from the North who settled in Busan longed for their native naengmyeon (buckwheat cold noodles). Buckwheat was scarce in the South, so they innovated by using wheat flour provided by the U.S. Army – and thus milmyeon was born. Over the decades, this dish became a local staple, beloved for its chewy noodles and icy, tangy broth.

A classic milmyeon comes in two styles: mul milmyeon (noodles in cold broth) or bibim milmyeon (noodles mixed with a spicy sauce). The mul milmyeon broth is usually a savory blend of beef or pork bones (sometimes chicken) simmered for many hours, then chilled until slushy-cold. The thin wheat noodles are cooked to a bouncy, al dente texture and served in the broth with slices of boiled beef, julienned cucumber, pickled radish, and half a boiled egg on top. A dab of hot mustard and a splash of vinegar are often added for an extra kick. Each bite is refreshing and flavorful – perfect for Busan’s warm weather.

To try the best of the best, join the queue at one of Busan’s famed milmyeon eateries. For example, **Haeundae Gaya Milmyeon** in Haeundae has a devoted following – it’s said they simmer their broth for 48 hours and age it for months to achieve an incredible depth of flavor. Whether you slurp it down at a beachside shop or in a hidden alley restaurant, milmyeon offers a taste of Busan’s history and a cool respite on a hot day. It’s a must-try for any noodle lover visiting the city.

Fresh Seafood at Jagalchi – Busan’s Coastal Bounty

As a thriving port city, Busan is heaven for seafood enthusiasts. The epicenter of this oceanic feast is Jagalchi Market, Korea’s largest seafood market, where you can experience the full diversity of Busan’s marine delicacies. Stroll through the lively stalls of Jagalchi and you’ll see row upon row of fresh catch – plump fish on ice, wriggling octopus in basins, king crabs waving their claws, and shellfish of every variety. The market’s ajumma vendors beckon with the famous Busan dialect call, “오이소, 보이소, 사이소!” (“Come, see, buy!”), adding to the colorful atmosphere.

To truly dine like a local, pick out a fish or assorted seafood downstairs and carry it up to one of the second-floor restaurants. There, they’ll prepare your selection on the spot. A popular option is to enjoy it as hoe – fresh sashimi slices – served with a side of seaweed, raw garlic, chili peppers, and cho-gochujang (spicy vinegared red sauce) for dipping. After savoring the delicate raw fish, the meal often continues with a bubbling pot of maeuntang (spicy fish stew) made from the leftover bones and vegetables, so nothing goes to waste. If raw fish isn’t your thing, you can also have your seafood grilled or steamed; Jagalchi’s vendors are happy to accommodate.

Beyond Jagalchi, Busan offers other seafood delights – try the charcoal-grilled eel at specialty restaurants near the port, or the famous bokguk (puffer fish soup) on cold winter days for a mild, fortifying meal. Whether you’re slurping down oysters at Jagalchi or feasting on clams at a beachfront tent bar, the city’s coastal bounty is not to be missed. The seafood in Busan isn’t just a meal, it’s a cultural experience that connects you with the rhythms of the sea and the daily life of this vibrant port.

Busan Street Food – Snacks by the Seaside

Any food tour of Busan would be incomplete without indulging in its street food scene. Head to the buzzing stalls around BIFF Square and Nampo-dong, where you can munch your way through some of Korea’s most famous street eats. One iconic treat is ssiat hotteok, Busan’s special “seed pancake.” These sweet griddlecakes are fried to a golden crisp, then sliced open and filled with a molten mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and a generous handful of mixed seeds and nuts (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, and more). The contrast of the hot, caramelized sugar syrup and the crunchy seeds makes for an unforgettable bite. Ssiat hotteok is so closely tied to the city that many say you haven’t truly experienced Busan until you’ve burned your tongue a little on one of these gooey delights! Join the line at BIFF Square’s famous hotteok vendors – the wait is worth it as you watch them deftly flip and fill each pancake.

Another street food staple is Busan’s eomuk – the fish cake. As the city is known for its seafood, it’s no surprise that fish cakes here are a cut above. At food carts and market stalls, you’ll find skewers of eomuk simmering in flavorful broth. For just a few hundred won, you get a skewer (or two) of these savory fish cakes and a paper cup of warm broth on the side – perfect for a quick snack or to warm up on a chilly evening. Busan’s fish cakes are springy and satisfying; you can even visit the famous Samjin Fish Cake bakery to try creative varieties stuffed with cheese or vegetables, or check out the Fish Cake Museum near Yeongdo for a fun, interactive experience.

Other street foods to sample include crispy twigim (deep-fried snacks) like squid and sweet potatoes, spicy tteokbokki rice cakes slathered in chili sauce, and novelty treats like spiral-cut “hurricane” potatoes on a stick. In the evenings, food stalls pop up near markets and beaches, offering delights such as gukbap to-go, skewered barbecued meats, and even international fare. Busan’s street food culture is vibrant and always evolving, but one thing remains constant: the flavors are bold, the portions generous, and the experience of eating shoulder-to-shoulder with locals is one you’ll cherish. Wandering through the neon-lit food streets of Busan, you’ll quickly understand why this city’s snacks are as famous as its sights.

Experience Busan’s Culinary Scene

Busan’s food culture is a reflection of its character – warm, diverse, and full of the sea’s abundance. Whether you’re digging into a hearty bowl of dwaeji gukbap at a humble market stall, cooling off with milmyeon noodles, feasting on fresh sashimi by the docks, or savoring a sweet hotteok while strolling through a night market, you’re experiencing the city’s soul through its cuisine. This guide is just a starting point for your gastronomic journey. Don’t hesitate to explore beyond the well-known dishes; every neighborhood in Busan has its own beloved eateries and hidden gems.

As you eat your way through Busan, you’ll taste the history and spirit of a city that has welcomed people from all over Korea (and the world) and made their foods its own. The mix of northern-inspired noodles and southern seafood, of old family-run diners and trendy food markets, makes Busan a dynamic culinary destination. So come hungry, be curious, and get ready to fall in love with the flavors of Busan. 맛있게 드세요 (enjoy your meal) and happy eating in Korea’s coastal food paradise!

For more about Busan’s food specialties and travel tips, Read more here.