Busan food is the kind of grub that hits you in the face with freshness and doesn’t apologise for it. This city’s on the coast, so you’re basically swimming in seafood and spicy delights every time you step outside.
Unlike Seoul, which is all shiny and polite, Busan’s got grit, sweat, and more seafood than you can poke a chopstick at. If you’re into proper Korean food that makes your mouth sing, and sometimes scream, then Busan is your new best mate.
Busan Cuisine You Need to Know
First off, it’s all about the seafood. You want raw fish that tastes like it was swimming minutes ago? Busan’s Jagalchi Market is your playground. Their sashimi (hoe) is so fresh it’s basically still doing laps. Then there’s milmyeon, the cold wheat noodles that are Busan’s answer to the summer sweat. Refreshing, tangy, with just the right kick to remind you you’re alive.
Don’t sleep on the pajeon either, the seafood and green onion pancake that’s oily, crispy, and perfect when washed down with a glass of cold makgeolli. If you want something to really warm the cockles, try their kimchi jjigae loaded with pork and seafood. It’s like a spicy hug from your favourite aunty.
Sundae here isn’t your usual blood sausage. It’s stuffed with noodles and comes with a spicy dipping sauce that’ll have you licking your fingers and cursing your life choices at the same time.
Top 5 Restaurants for Busan Food
- Jagalchi Fish Market
This place is chaos and brilliance rolled into one. Pick whatever’s flapping about, haggle a bit if you fancy, then have it cooked on the spot. It’s loud, sweaty, and brilliant. - Choryang Milmyeon
If you want to cool down and stuff your face with cold noodles swimming in spicy broth, this is the spot. Perfect for when your face is melting off in the summer heat. - Dongnae Halmae Pajeon
The pajeon here is a masterpiece. Crispy edges, squid and green onions galore, and the dipping sauce is magic. Get stuck in and don’t worry about the grease on your fingers. - Halmae Gukbap
If you’re hungover or just feeling like your soul needs a warm slap, this pork and rice soup will sort you right out. It’s thick, salty, and utterly addictive. - Jagalchi 4번가
A no-nonsense joint near the fish market that does fiery seafood stews and grilled fish that’ll make you curse your diet and love it.
Street Food Busan Style
If you’re wandering around Busan and not eating street food, what are you even doing? Hotteok is a sweet fried pancake stuffed with brown sugar and nuts, basically a pocket of sticky heaven. Tteokbokki, those spicy rice cakes drenched in fire sauce, will scorch your mouth but you’ll beg for more.
Eomuk, fishcake skewers sold from steaming carts, are the perfect greasy snack after a few drinks. For the truly brave, sannakji or live octopus chopped up and served while it’s still moving is a must. It’s chewy, crunchy, and borderline terrifying but 100 percent Busan.
5 Best Places to Drink in Busan
- Haeundae Beach Bars
Cheap beer, sea breeze, and the sun setting over the water. Ideal for pretending you’re on holiday while you sweat off that spicy stew. - Seomyeon District
Busan’s nightlife heart. Dive into smoky pubs or lively clubs, knock back craft beers or slurp on rice wine till you’re slurring Korean swear words like a pro. - Gwangalli Beach Cafes
Cocktails with a view of the lit-up bridge. Perfect for a chilled night without the madness. - Jagalchi Soju Houses
Tiny, loud, and full of locals pounding soju with fresh seafood. Expect spilled drinks and friendly shouting. - BIFF Square Pojangmacha
Tent bars serving grilled skewers and stews, with cheap drinks and a side of chaos. Perfect for late-night feeding frenzies.
Overall Busan cuisine and the overall Busan food scene is very seafoody and well just Korean in general. There is though enough here to differentiate from other seaside locales like Incheon and Sokchol to very much make it worth the journey.
And then there is the street food and soju, meaning one will unlikely go hungry or thirsty in Busan.