Must-Try Signature Dishes When Visiting Busan

Busan is a city where diverse culinary cultures flourish, offering a rich gourmet experience that ranges from fresh seafood dishes to delicious street food, thanks to its coastal location. The foods you can taste here showcase unique recipes that utilize local specialties, capturing the authentic flavors of Busan.

The dishes found throughout Busan appeal to people of all generations, beloved for their distinct flavors and styles. Seafood pancakes, milmyeon (wheat noodles), and grilled pork ribs are representative dishes of Busan, known for their delightful tastes and aromas.

Especially popular among locals and tourists alike, fresh sashimi and grilled shellfish highlight the freshness that defines Busan’s seafood cuisine.Street food in Busan is also one of its irresistible attractions.

Busan fish cake and tteokbokki made with cylindrical rice cakes are easy snacks enjoyed by everyone at affordable prices, offering a variety of flavors and a unique experience. These foods enhance the joy of traveling in Busan, providing one of the many reasons visitors can't forget this city.

A gourmet journey in Busan is more than just a meal, it's an opportunity to experience the local culture and sentiments. Through the delicious foods of Busan, you can also feel the charm of this vibrant city!

Busan

Sundae Gukbap (Blood Sausage Soup with Rice)

Sundae Gukbap is a representative dish of Busan, consisting of a rich broth made by simmering pork for a long time, served with rice. Busan’s version is particularly known for its thick and deep flavor, enhanced by various pork offal ingredients, providing a nutty and savory taste.

It is a warm and hearty meal, popular for its richness, and you can adjust the seasoning to your taste by adding green onions, red pepper powder, or salted shrimp. It’s easy to find this dish throughout Busan, so be sure to give it a try.

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Grilled Pork Ribs

Grilled pork ribs are one of Busan’s signature dishes, marinated in a sweet and savory sauce and grilled over charcoal. The marinade is deeply absorbed, making the ribs tender and juicy. The flavor is enriched with sweet soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil, making it a universally loved dish.

Many BBQ restaurants in Busan grill the ribs directly on a large charcoal grill, allowing you to enjoy the rich aroma of the meat and the smokiness of the charcoal simultaneously. It’s a great dish to share with family and friends, served with various side dishes that enhance the experience of savoring the ribs.

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Milmyeon (Wheat Noodles)

Milmyeon is a popular summer noodle dish in Busan, similar to naengmyeon (cold noodles), but made with wheat flour instead of buckwheat. The chewy noodles are served in a cold broth, garnished with toppings such as cucumber, pear, meat, and egg for a refreshing treat.

Milmyeon was developed in Busan, substituting buckwheat with wheat flour, and has since become a beloved local delicacy. The broth, often made from beef bones and ox tail, is rich and savory, while the spicy sauce mixed in provides a flavorful punch.

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Jagalchi Market

Jagalchi Market in Busan is one of the top destinations for those who want to enjoy fresh seafood. Here, you can enjoy everything from fresh sashimi to various grilled shellfish and seafood dishes. Especially popular among travelers, you can buy fresh seafood and have it cooked right on the spot.

Jagalchi Market is known for its freshness and variety. Given its proximity to the sea, the sashimi is prepared from fish caught that very day, ensuring maximum freshness. Many sashimi restaurants near the beach offer scenic views of the open sea, making for a special dining experience.

If you're planning to visit Busan, be sure to savor the fresh seafood at this market. From a variety of sashimi and grilled shellfish to spicy seafood stew, it will be an experience that lets you taste the sea’s offerings.

Sashimi

At Busan's Jagalchi Market, you can enjoy sashimi prepared from freshly caught fish. You can savor a variety of fish such as flounder, rockfish, sea bream, and abalone, thinly sliced and served, allowing you to experience the essence of the coastal city.

The combination of sashimi with a spicy-sweet red pepper paste and fresh vegetables enhances the flavor. After enjoying the sashimi, finishing the meal with a spicy fish stew is another pleasure you can experience in Busan.

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Grilled Shellfish

Grilled shellfish is a must when thinking of Busan’s sea. It is a dish where fresh shellfish are grilled over charcoal, offering the full flavor of the seafood. The pleasure is doubled when eating it while gazing at the warm night sea.

You can grill a variety of shellfish on the grill and enjoy the succulent juices when the shells open. Grilled scallops, clams, mussels, and abalone with a touch of spicy seasoning or cheese and butter provide an even richer flavor.

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Jokbal Alley

Busan’s Jokbal Alley is a favorite among locals and tourists alike, lined with various restaurants offering delicious pork trotters (jokbal). With many popular jokbal restaurants clustered together, visitors have a wide range of choices, allowing them to enjoy different styles of jokbal.

Each restaurant offers its own unique taste and secret recipe. The chewy yet tender texture of the trotters, combined with the savory juices, creates an unforgettable taste. The dish is typically served with seasoned soy sauce, ssamjang (spicy dipping sauce), leafy greens, and pickled chives, which all complement the flavor of the jokbal.

The alley becomes more lively at night, bustling with people enjoying jokbal with a cold beer or soju. If you want to experience authentic local flavors during your Busan visit, a stop at Jokbal Alley is a must.

Jokbal (Pork Trotters)

Jokbal is a dish made by braising pork trotters in soy sauce, giving it a chewy yet tender texture. The dark soy-based seasoning gives it a rich flavor and aroma. It is commonly eaten with ssamjang, salted shrimp, garlic, and peppers.

In Busan, jokbal is often served with various side dishes, and there are special variations like cold jokbal and spicy jokbal, so you can choose according to your preference. It’s perfect for filling up during your travels, or as a late-night snack with soju.

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Busan International Market

The Busan International Market is a representative traditional market with a long history and a variety of sights, foods, and shops. It is a hub of shopping, tourism, and gourmet delights, with countless shops and stalls lining its streets.

This market is especially famous for its array of food offerings. It is filled with traditional eateries and street food vendors, making it a great place to savor the true taste of Busan. Walking through the market while enjoying various snacks and soaking up the friendly atmosphere can make time fly by.

The bustling energy and warm locals make the International Market a must-visit destination. Explore the many shops and stalls to experience the genuine charm of Busan.

Dongnae Pajeon (Green Onion Pancake)

Dongnae Pajeon is a delicacy that is perfect for rainy days. Unlike regular green onion pancakes, it uses whole green onions, giving it a richer aroma and texture. The batter is made with a mix of glutinous rice and flour, resulting in a chewier and softer texture.

It is filled with seafood, creating a crispy exterior with a moist interior. It is a must-try delicacy when visiting Busan, and it pairs exceptionally well with makgeolli (Korean rice wine).

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Busan Fish Cake

Busan fish cake is a popular snack found throughout the streets of Busan. It is made by mixing ground fresh fish with flour, shaped into various forms, and then either deep-fried or boiled. There are many types, from thin sheet fish cakes to thick skewered ones, and those filled with vegetables. Enjoyed with warm broth, it is great for satisfying your hunger while on the go.

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Garae Tteokbokki (Cylindrical Rice Cake in Spicy Sauce)

Garae Tteokbokki is different from the typical tteokbokki, as it uses thicker, cylindrical rice cakes, providing a chewier texture. The rice cakes are made from rice flour and cooked in a sweet and spicy gochujang (Korean red pepper paste) sauce, absorbing the flavors deeply.

Adding fish cake and boiled eggs to the mix makes it even more filling. It’s a unique twist on the usual tteokbokki that allows you to experience the distinct sweet and spicy flavors of Busan.

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Bibim Dangmyeon (Spicy Mixed Glass Noodles)

Bibim Dangmyeon is a popular Busan dish made by mixing chewy glass noodles with a spicy and sweet sauce. The unique combination of spicy and tangy flavors whets the appetite, making it a light yet tasty meal. It’s a popular street food that’s easy to find at markets in Busan, especially delicious when paired with fresh vegetables.

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Bibim Mandu (Spicy Mixed Dumplings)

Bibim Mandu is a dish of crispy fried dumplings topped with a spicy and sweet sauce, mixed with vegetables for added texture. The blend of crunchy dumplings with the tangy sauce creates a unique flavor profile. You can easily find fresh, locally-made bibim mandu at markets in Busan.

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Seed Hotteok

Seed hotteok is a popular snack in Busan, known for being a variation of traditional hotteok filled generously with various seeds. Unlike the regular hotteok, it is packed with a sweet mixture of sugar, nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and other seeds, giving it a delightfully nutty and crunchy texture.

It is especially famous in Busan's markets, where the chewy hotteok combines perfectly with the crispiness of the seeds, creating a unique mouthfeel. Thanks to its warm and sweet flavor, it makes for an excellent winter snack and is a must-try for anyone visiting Busan.

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Patbingsu

Patbingsu is one of the most popular summer desserts in Korea, consisting of sweet red beans served over shaved ice. Typically, it features finely shaved ice topped with sweet red beans and condensed milk, but there are many variations with diverse toppings to suit different tastes.

The sweetness of the red beans paired with the refreshing coolness of the ice provides a pleasant, cooling sensation, making it a perfect treat for hot summer days.

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Danpatjuk Alley

Busan's Danpatjuk Alley is a famous spot where you can enjoy traditional sweet red bean porridge, attracting many visitors. This alley is lined with specialty shops offering different styles of danpatjuk, giving you the opportunity to explore various flavors. Experience this traditional Korean dessert while enjoying the atmosphere of the alley. It’s a great chance to savor the taste and culture of Busan.

Danpatjuk

Danpatjuk is a warm, sweet red bean porridge that is especially loved during winter. The soft, sweet red beans are thoroughly boiled and mashed, resulting in a smooth texture with a nutty, subtle sweetness. Typically, glutinous rice is added for a bit of chewiness, and the porridge's warm, sweet flavor makes it an ideal comfort food during the cold season.

In Busan, there are many traditional teahouses and alleyways where you can enjoy this warm dish, making it a popular choice for those seeking a sweet treat during their travels. Its gentle sweetness makes it suitable as a meal replacement or a snack.

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Cafe Street

Busan’s Jeonpo Cafe Street is a hub of the city’s coffee culture, filled with charming cafes that attract numerous visitors. This area is known for its stylish interiors and unique drinks, making it the perfect place for guests to enjoy various coffees and relax.

Jeonpo Cafe Street is a prime example of how Busan's creative coffee culture is flourishing, and it’s well-loved by young artists and coffee enthusiasts alike.

Beyond just coffee consumption, Jeonpo Cafe Street serves as a space where people can socialize and unwind. Enjoy a cup of coffee and experience the leisurely daily life of Busan.

Coffee

The coffee on Jeonpo Cafe Street captures the unique flavor of Busan. The cafes in this area use various beans and blends, including specialty coffee, each offering its own distinct taste and aroma. For instance, coffee brewed from freshly roasted beans boasts a deep and rich flavor, providing visitors with an unforgettable experience.

The drinks served here are more than just a cup of coffee, they are an opportunity to appreciate the care that goes into the brewing process and the individuality of each cafe. Many cafes also release seasonal specials or create innovative drinks using local specialties to pique the interest of visitors.

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Busan is a city famous for its diverse food and attractions, known as a paradise for food lovers. From fresh seafood straight from the sea to traditional local delicacies and various street foods, there is no end to the culinary adventures you can enjoy in Busan.

Through the dishes introduced above, you can get a taste of Busan's unique flavors and culture. If you are planning a trip to Busan, be sure to try the foods on this list. We hope these delicious dishes make your visit to Busan even more special!

Also, foreign visitors must apply for KETA to enter Korea. The application can be easily completed online, and you can expect to receive the approval results shortly after applying. Prepare in advance and get ready for your trip to Busan!