8 Must-Try Foods in Busan for Foreigners

8 Must-Try Foods in Busan for Foreigners

The stunning beaches next to gigantic buildings, the beautiful mountains accessible at any time, and delicious foods offer wonderful memories to those visiting Busan.

As the second largest city in Korea, it naturally has many unique dishes.

Deciding what to eat in Busan can be as much of a challenge as figuring out where to eat.

Busan is famous for its fish cakes, pork soup rice, and delicious street foods. You can also enjoy the universally beloved combination of chicken and beer, toast, and the crispy seed-filled hotteok.

If you're reading this article, your trip to Busan is likely to be a success.

 

Pork Soup Rice (Dwaeji Gukbap)

Pork soup rice is one of the most famous dishes in Busan and is a must-try. It's also considered a healing food, often eaten when feeling sick or weak.

When you order pork soup rice, you get a hearty soup with pork belly meat. Season to taste with salted shrimp and salt.

It's more than just a simple dish. Chefs spend hours boiling pork to create a nutritious broth. After removing the bones, they add rice wine, sesame oil, and soy sauce. It's then poured over steamed rice and served with various side dishes.

There are hundreds of pork soup rice restaurants, but locals each have their own favorite.

Chimaek (Chicken & Beer)

Chimaek, a combination of fried chicken and cold beer, is incredibly popular all over Korea. The name is a portmanteau of "chicken" and "maekju" (beer).

After the Korean War, fried chicken became popular among locals, spreading from U.S. military bases to streets nationwide. Today, Korean fried chicken, with its many sauces and toppings, has captured the taste buds of people worldwide.

 

 

Seed Hotteok

Seed hotteok, especially found near markets throughout the city, is another dish to try. Even if you only have 24 hours in Busan, tasting this local street food made of rice flour dough covered in cinnamon and sugar is essential.

After frying the dough, it's filled with seeds, typically including sesame, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds. The combination of savory seeds and melted sugar often leaves you wanting more.

Seed hotteok originated in Busan and has gained popularity in other regions thanks to its appearance on popular Korean TV shows.

To find the best seed hotteok, head to BIFF Street, where you'll find street food vendors.

 

Fish Cakes (Eomuk)

Eomuk is another local specialty. Vendors prepare fish cakes using various white fish, minced and shaped into cakes.

To make the batter, chefs use a combination of eggs, flour, water, and salt. The well-fried fish cakes are carefully skewered and kept warm in hot broth.

Originally introduced during the Japanese colonial period, this Japanese dish has been adapted with unique Korean twists. Busan's fish cakes are a nationally recognized street food.

 

Wheat Noodles (Milmyeon)

Milmyeon is chewy and often served in a cold broth with cucumber, beef, and pear slices. Depending on the restaurant, it may also include a spoonful of gochujang sauce. The noodles are made from a mix of wheat flour and sweet potato starch.

This dish originated in Busan, but the details are uncertain. One theory is that during the Korean War, refugees in Busan started making noodles with wheat flour instead of buckwheat.

 

Mullehoe

Mullehoe is a dish consisting of fresh raw fish in a cool broth, similar to Japanese sashimi. Thin slices of fish are often served in a spicy broth made with vinegar or doenjang mixed with chili paste.

Other variations include thin slices of raw fish wrapped in perilla leaves, accompanied by various vegetables such as carrots, onions, bell peppers, or cucumbers. Once prepared, the dish is chilled using crushed or cubed ice.

In the hot and humid summer, this cold dish is a popular choice, providing refreshment and energy.

 

Seafood Pancake (Haemul Pajeon)

This pancake is made by mixing rice flour, seafood, and green onions.

To prepare pajeon, chefs first fry green onions in a hot pan, then add them to the batter. It's then fried until the bottom is crispy and golden brown.

You can dip the pancake in a tasty soy sauce mixed with vinegar and onions. It contains various seafood like clams, shrimp, and oysters, but the author particularly enjoys it with plenty of squid.

Korean Street Toast

Korean street toast is one of the most famous examples of Busan street food. It's essentially a grilled sandwich made with two slices of white bread.

Some call it Korean egg toast or simply Korean toast. Starting in Korea about 20 years ago, it has become a popular breakfast menu on the go.

Often, the toast is served with cabbage, tomato sauce, and an omelet. Sprinkling sugar on it adds a distinctive sweet flavor.

As you wander around Busan, you'll find not only franchise toast shops like Isaac Toast but also unique toast shops.

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