When you go to Busan, the one thing you must do is eat your fill of authentic Busan food! Korea is full of delicious foods like kimchi, tteokbokki, and sundubu. While the standard Korean dishes are delicious, if you’re heading to Busan, you want to try the local specialties that you can only eat in Busan!
So this time, we introduce 6 local gourmet dishes that are exclusive to Busan among Korean cuisine. Packed with must-see Busan gourmet information, be sure to use this as your guide!
1. Spicy Stir-Fried Octopus “Nakchi Pokkeun”
Nakchi Pokkeun is a traditional Korean dish in which freshly landed octopus in Busan is stir-fried in a spicy sauce. Although it is usually stir-fried, in chilly Busan the dish is often served piping hot in a pot!
The combination of the fresh, bouncy texture of the octopus just pulled from the water and the spicy yet rich gochujang (red chili paste) soup is irresistible. Once you try it, you’ll surely become addicted. Once you order this pot, you won’t be able to resist ordering more rice on the side!
If you get tired of walking around Busan, be sure to try Nakchi Pokkeun. It’s guaranteed to chase away your chill and fatigue. Book your flight ticket to Busan from here.
2. Pork Soup Rice “Daejikippa”
If you go to Busan, you have to try “Daejikippa.” Daejikippa is one of Busan’s specialties—a pork soup rice dish with a pork-bone based soup called “kukppa” that is loaded with pork.
It is characterized by a deep, rich flavor reminiscent of pork-bone ramen, with a thick yet mellow taste that is very popular. The soup, made from high-quality pork bones, is rich in collagen, and many Busan women order Daejikippa for its beauty benefits.
Since it does not have the spiciness typical of many Korean dishes, even those who don’t like spicy food can drink it down in one go. When you go to Busan, be sure to savor Daejikippa!
3. Deep-Fried Pork “Yangnyeom Fry”
“Yangnyeom Fry,” popular at the Tupyeong Kantong Market, is deep-fried pork. It’s quite different from “Yangnyeom Chicken,” which is made with chicken—the pork version is full of the unique umami of pork!
There’s always a long line of people waiting, so there is a bit of a wait, but the slightly spicy Yangnyeom sauce is so addictive that once you try it, you won’t forget its flavor. The crispy deep-fried pork and Yangnyeom sauce match perfectly!
There are seats available inside the store, so you can eat in, but due to the limited seating, takeout is recommended. It also pairs perfectly as an appetizer with beer, so why not try it with a beer at your hotel?
4. Grilled Nuta Eel “Komjang-o”
Next on the list of dishes exclusive to Busan is “Komjang-o.” Komjang-o is a local gourmet dish in Busan.
It might look a little odd if you’re not used to it, but one bite and the unforgettable taste will remain with you forever. Typically, Komjang-o is cut into bite-sized pieces and stir-fried in gochujang sauce, but for the experts, it can also be served grilled in a kiln or baked in pine needles.
This is a dish that is hard to find at Korean restaurants in your country. Even in Korea, Komjang-o is said to be available only in the Busan area, making it a true local specialty of Busan. When you go to Busan, be sure to give it a try!
5. Seafood Stew “Haemultan”
One dish you absolutely must try when you go to Busan is the “Haemultan Stew.” Haemultan is a Korean-style seafood stew. You might think, “Isn’t haemultan available everywhere?” Not at all—many restaurants in Busan offer a type of haemultan stew that you can only find in Busan. This is because Busan is the country’s largest fishing port.
Naturally, the seafood available here is fresher and more delicious than anywhere else in Korea. As a result, even a dish that might seem commonplace elsewhere, the haemultan stew in Busan is exceptionally delicious! You can enjoy a hearty, fresh seafood stew at a reasonable price. When you visit Busan, be sure not to miss the haemultan stew!
6. Grilled Beef & Pork Offal “Yangkopchang”
When you’re in Korea, you want to eat delicious barbecue, right? If you’re looking for some juicy and delicious barbecue in Busan, you simply cannot miss Yangkopchang!
Yangkopchang refers to grilled offal from beef and pork. “Yang” refers to the stomach, and “kopchang” refers to the small intestines, so essentially, it’s the grilled offal of beef and pork.
Busan has long been known for its many farms, making fresh offal readily available. Not only is it grilled on a hot plate like regular offal barbecue, but it can also be enjoyed with salt or various seasonings, and even in hot pot form, offering a rich variety of options! In Busan, which is often called the holy land of the best offal in Korea, be sure to savor Yangkopchang!
◎ Summary
This time, we introduced 6 must-try foods that you absolutely have to eat when you visit Busan! How did you like it? Did you find some Busan foods you want to try? Busan offers a wide variety of delicious foods, ranging from standard Korean dishes to local specialties that you can only enjoy in Busan!
Because Busan is Korea’s largest fishing port, it is rich in seafood, making the seafood stew Haemultan especially recommended. And if you’re in the mood for meat in Busan, don’t hesitate to order Yangkopchang! You’re sure to experience an offal taste like never before.
There are many more delicious foods in Busan that we couldn’t cover here. When you travel to Busan, be sure to use this article as your guide and enjoy the amazing gourmet treats waiting for you!