Sinbalwon
Busan
Copyright: Jam's foto/Shutterstock.comSinbalwon
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 and deep-fried varieties.
Useful Information
- Address: 62 Daeyeong-ro 243beon-gil, Dong-gu, Busan
- Phone: +82 51 467 0177
- Address: Wed–Mon 11am–8pm, Tue Closed
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.