Busan

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Busan

Named East Asia Culture City in 2018, Busan has recently risen to prominence internationally, with visitors now flocking to South Korea's second city even outside of the busy International Film Festival week each October. There is more to do and see than can fit in a space of a few days: traditional spas, local eats and endless shopping all leave but a little time to take in the rugged Busan coastline on seaside nature hikes.

The City

Busan is a sprawling metropolitan area that encompasses several clusters of interest, each with its own set of attractions. The unmissable showpiece is Busan's famous Jagalchi Fish Market, which supplies nearly 50% of all seafood across Korea. There is an abundance of scenic coastal walks, lively nightlife, and a never-ending supply of local eats, from finger food served at street stalls to elaborate meals that necessarily come with a trayful of various pickles and condiments.

Do & See Dining Cafés Bars & Nightlife Shopping Tourist Information

Do & See

Our top picks for a short stay in Busan include the expansive Jagalchi Fish Market (plus a meal at one of its seafood shops), exploring Nampo-dong and enjoying a snack from the street stalls in BIFF Square. Completing one of the coastal hiking routes followed by a relaxing couple of hours at the spa is an optional extra.

Jagalchi Fish Market

This legendary market will blow the mind of anyone who happens to have even a passing interest in seafood. The sheer variety of sea creatures sold here must be seen to be believed: apart from Korean favourites like crab and eel, there are the myriad types of fish and shellfish (try the 'kalguksu' noodles …

Nampo-dong & BIFF Square

Taking its name from the Busan International Film Festival, BIFF is certainly at its liveliest during this esteemed annual event, but remains a happening place throughout the rest of the year. It's best known for the street food stalls dotting the area and the 400+ metre-long street itself, with a plethora of Korean specialities …

Gamcheon Culture Village

2009 saw Gamcheon turn from an area of budget housing for refugees of the Korean War into a premier tourist attraction, all thanks to a collective effort by local students and artists, who transformed the neighbourhood with colourful wall painting and street art. Today Gamcheon even has a tourist office of its own: stop by …

Beomeo-sa Temple

This spectacular urban Buddhist temple (the head temple of the Jogye Order) is a highlight on any Busan itinerary. A pleasant uphill hike through quiet nature will take you to temple grounds, with beautiful ornate pavilions, Buddhist statues and worshippers, which include both temporary visitors and monks who reside here permanently. Temple grounds tend …

Dongbaekseom Park & Haeundae Beach

Explore the wood walkways traversing Dongbaekseom Park and take in the spectacular views of the coastline from several viewing platforms along the way. It's a very pleasant, scenic walk in the shade of pine trees that lends itself well to photos; you'll see Busan's own mermaid statue looking out longingly to the sea soon …

Igidae Coastal Walk

Igidae Coastal Walk makes for a wonderful hike along the shore of the Sea of Japan. The path itself is of moderate difficulty, with some parts featuring pedestrian bridges and others running directly through natural terrain. The entire path is about 4km long and should take about 2 hours to complete in its entirety, …

Taejongdae Park

This fabulous walking trail on the southern end of Yeongdo Island, just off the coast of mainland Busan, runs along a rugged coastline of scenic cliffs. Bring sturdy walking shoes if you're planning a hike (it should take anywhere between 1 and 3 hours, depending on your speed and stops), or opt for the …

Song Marine Cable Car

This recently renovated cable car route stretches out across the sea for longer than 1.5km, and features cabins with and without see-through flooring. If you're the daring type, opt for the former and be rewarded with incredible views of the water …

Jjimjilbang (Spa)

Jjimjilbang culture holds firmly in Korea, with the Busan area alone boasting around 450 spa centres (the largest number compared to any other region). It's important to note that the absolute majority of spas require that guests of both genders remove all of their clothing prior to accessing any of the baths or hot …

Dining

A substantial acquaintance with Busan's culinary offerings can easily take weeks, but if you only have a few days, try and work in a meal at the Jagalchi Fish Market, a traditional Korean barbecue session, and some street food. Fishcakes ('eomuk' or 'odeng') is a popular choice that holds somewhat of a cult status in Busan and is followed closely by 'hotteok', a stuffed fried pancake sold at multiple stalls across town. If you're feeling especially adventurous, try 'sannakji', an octopus dish immortalised by the movie 'Oldboy' which consists of chopped-up tentacles that still squirm and stick to the plate (and possibly even the insides of your mouth) as you eat them.

Jagalchi Fish Market

This legendary market will blow the mind of anyone who happens to have even a passing interest in seafood. The sheer variety of sea creatures sold here must be seen to be believed. If the Korean favourites such as crab and eel get stale, try the 'kalguksu' noodles with clams or 'bajirak' as well …

Gukje Market

A bustling food street cuts through Busan's busiest market, and has diners take seats at the stalls of their choosing. Street eateries sell all manner of Korean and Busan specialities imaginable, from 'gimbap' (Korean sushi rolls) to cold noodles, pork soup, and more. The rest of the market makes for a curious browse-around, even though …

Shinsegae Food Hall

The food hall in the basement of Shinsegae, the world's largest according to the Guinness Book of Records is a smorgasbord of international dining options. You'll be truly spoilt for choice with flavours from across Asia and beyond. One really can't go wrong with 'bibimbap', a bowl of rice with delectable toppings that is …

Anga Sutbul-gui

If it's the celebrated Korean BBQ you're after, Anga Sutbul-gui is probably the place you'll be directed to. They're known primarily for their marinated pork which is grilled to perfection on the private grills built into each table. Diners can also enjoy access to an unlimited salad bar which also displays various condiments. Keep …

Haeundae Milmyeon Jeonmunjeom

The Busan speciality of "milmyeon" is best served on a hot summer's day. Picture a nest of wheat noodles served ice-cold (sometimes with ice still floating in the broth) with hot pepper paste, vegetables and half an egg on top. The noodles aren't too spicy despite the gochujang paste and make for a …

Jangsusam

This compact hole in the wall serves one thing and one thing only, Korean 'samgye-tang'. This gingery soup is made up of a whole chicken stuffed with rice and flavourful ingredients such as garlic and ginseng. The soup is deemed to hold all sorts of curative properties and is considered to be a traditional …

Samjin Amook Main Branch

Fishcakes have a long tradition in Busan, and Samjin Amook is Busan's oldest operating fishcake factory. Its main outlet is a fishcake bakery that features an observable production line, a store where multiple varieties of fishcake are on sale at surprisingly low prices and even a museum on the top floor. There is a …

Choryang Milmyeon

A classic inexpensive eatery in close proximity to the Busan station, Choryang Milmyeon serves up cold 'milmyeon' noodles which are a local favourite. The dish might not be for everyone (although we do of course encourage you to try this Busan speciality), wheres the 'mandu' (meat dumplings) rarely disappoint. Prices are extremely …

Sinbalwon

You'll most likely recognise this unassuming little restaurant by the line forming outside. Sinbalwon is perhaps the best place in Busan to try the 'mandu' dumplings, immortalised by the movie 'Oldboy', in which the protagonist ate nothing but them for the entire duration of his 15-year-long captivity. Don't leave without sampling both the steamed …

Cafés

There's no shortage of cafés around Busan. If you are looking for something a little out of the ordinary, stop by a Sulbing outlet and savour a quintessential Korean dessert of shaved ice with various toppings. The Korean custard puff is another novelty worth having a look at.

Jeonpo Cafe Street

The Jeonpo Cafe Street (sometimes called the Seomyeon Cafe Street) is where trendy cafes compete for customer attention with expertly brewed coffee, delectable desserts, and abundant brunch offerings. Whether it's a Korean shaved ice or the finest French pastry you fancy, it can all be found along this stretch. Most cafes open around …

Brown Hands Baekje Cafe

Perhaps the most Instagrammable cafe in Busan, Brown Hands Baekje Cafe occupies the space of a former hospital and effortlessly blends elements of the old (like bare brick walls, white wall tiles and jagged doorways) with stylish decor and lighting. They serve hot and cold drinks plus a few sweet …

Sulbing Seomyeon

This nationwide chain of cafes is known primarily for its 'bingsu' (shaved ice dessert) which is sometimes used interchangeably with the brand name 'Sulbing' itself. There are multiple varieties to choose from at Sulbing Seomyeon. Toppings range from fresh fruit, such as mango and strawberries, to elaborate concoctions featuring an entire slab of tiramisu …

Waveon Coffee

If time permits, take a road trip up to Gijang County to pay a visit to the stunning Waveon Coffee building. Set in a spectacular seafront location, this architectural gem offers 4 floors of unobstructed sea views with an open-air terrace at the top. There is a limited coffee/tea menu plus a selection of …

OPS Haeundae

Bars & Nightlife

Gwangalli is the area to be once the sun has set, although Seomyeon and Haeundae also remain fairly busy after hours. Hot-spots shift from one year to the next, but HQ Gwangan seems to have been able to maintain its patron base through the years. Galmegi Brewing and Gorilla Brewing are favourites for craft beer.

Gwangalli Beach & Millak Waterside Park

Nighttime is when this beach truly shines. It starts with a spectacular sunset, followed by an unobstructed view of the Gwangan Bridge light show (8, 9 and 10pm Fri–Sat and 8 & 10pm Sun–Thu), which is sometimes complemented with a firework display. There are street performances along the promenade and dozens of inviting eateries. Unsurprisingly, …

Galmegi Brewing Gwangan

Galmegi Brewing is a local craft beer brewery with several locations across Busan. Ordering a sampler flight of 4 distinct beers is usually the best way to go. Select them from a menu that includes everything from mild IPAs and lagers to stouts and other darker beers with fruity or vanilla notes. They serve …

Gorilla Brewing Co.

HQ Gwangan

This Gwangalli Beach staple is a bar especially popular with expats for its affordable drinks, live music, great vibes, and a spectacular night view of the Gwangan Bridge. There is also a fairly long list of edible accoutrements on the menu at HQ Gwangan so the beer has something to soak …

Haeundae Ogtap Rooftop

A lively rooftop bar with a view of the sea, Haeundae Ogtap Rooftop sits right above the beach, beside its surrounding high-rises which light up beautifully at night. Order a beer and take it all in from the panoramic outdoor terrace. A snack and food menu is also …

The Bay 101 Yacht Club

This buzzing waterfront development is a popular venue for an after sundown excursion, whether it be to enjoy the spectacular cityscape that unfolds from here or indulge in some expertly cooked dishes of world cuisine (try the beef noodles at Daedo). There are both high and low end dining options available, as well as …

Shopping

Busan is home to the world's largest shopping complex (at the time of writing in late 2019): Shinsegae Centum City. This retail mammoth is the place to go for everything from international luxury clothing brands to world-famous Korean cosmetics and other products. Busan's most popular spa centre is also located here, and the complex also features an excellent food court with offerings from all across the world.