Popular Things to Do in Busan, South Korea
Food and Drink in Busan, South Korea
You probably know a few of Korea's most famous dishes, including kimchi (fiery fermented cabbage), bulgogi (a hearty beef dish with vegetables in a savory sauce) and bibimbap (rice topped with vegetables, meat and an egg). And, of course, there's the savory grill-it-yourself Korean barbecue. You'll find all those dishes available in Busan -- but, of course, there's much more to Korean cuisine.
Most meals include an amazing number of small side dishes, called banchan. The most common side dishes are gochujang (chili sauce -- beware!) and kimchi, all served with rice. You'll also probably have soup and boiled or pickled vegetables. The banchan are traditionally served in small dishes to be shared, but as tourists, you may be given your own banchan.
A couple of popular dishes in the Busan area are dwaeji gukbap and dongnae pajeon. Dwaeji gukbap translates as "pork" (dwaeji), "soup" (guk), "rice" (bap) -- and that's exactly what it is. Pork bones are simmered for hours to make the broth, and other ingredients can include miso, rice wine, sesame oil and soy sauce. It's great comfort food on a cold or rainy day. Dongnae pajeon is a savory pancake made from eggs, rice flour, wheat flour and scallions as well as kimchi, meat or seafood. Usually, the scallions are left whole and lined up in a row, which makes the dish easy to recognize.
Street food is also wildly popular here. One interesting dish to try is hotteok. These are sweet, filled pancakes made from a yeast dough. The traditional filling is made with chopped peanuts, brown sugar, honey and cinnamon -- however, you can now find a variety of creative fillings, including green tea and berries.
Ssangdoongi Dwaeji-gukbap (or Twins Pork Soup): This is one of Busan's most popular pork soup restaurants. You may have to wait in line, but the line moves quickly, and servers can speak basic English. Order the set menu for extra pork, but if you don't like offal beware -- there is tripe on the menu. (887-1, Daeyeon1-dong, Nam-gu, Busan; daily 9 a.m. to midnight)
Jang Su Sam: You may not be familiar with the traditional Korean dish served at this restaurant. Samgyetang is soup made with a whole young chicken, stuffed with garlic, rice, jujubes (red dates) and ginseng. It's typically eaten in hot weather. This restaurant serves an excellent version, and offers warm, welcoming hospitality, with some English spoken. (501-4 Suyeong-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan; Wednesday through Monday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
An Ga Korean BBQ: Many claim this restaurant near Haeundae Beach serves the best Korean barbecue in Busan. Come here for grilled seafood, ribs and various cuts of beef and pork, in a pub-like atmosphere. (1276-1, Jung-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea; Tuesday through Sunday 11:30 a.m. to midnight)
Mugunghwa: For an elegant, high-end Korean meal, head to this restaurant atop the Lotte Hotel. Named after Korea's national flower, it presents modern interpretations of traditional Korean foods in a chic, sleek atmosphere. Reservations recommended, but you can book online at the hotel's website. (772, Gaya-daero, Busanjin-gu, Busan; 82-51-810-6330; daily noon to 3 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m.)
BIFF Square: Located in the same neighborhood as the Jagalchi fish market, this area offers lots of street food stands to choose among, including plenty serving seafood items. (20, BIFF gwangjang-ro, Jung-gu, Busan)
Shinsegae Food Hall: If you're shopping in this massive Centum City department store, head to the basement to grab a bite from one of the many eateries. Nampo Sujebi serves Korean noodle soup and other dishes, Myungga offers many varieties of bipimbap and there are also Japanese, Thai and other international restaurants. (Centum Namdae ro 35, Haeundae-gu, Busan, daily noon to 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.)
Yong Ggum (Dragon Dream Cave Bar): For something different, head to this bar and restaurant inside an old bomb shelter. The lighting is low and you'll hear the sound of water dripping in the cave. Nibble on dongnae pajeon (green onion pancakes) and seafood dishes, while trying a range of typical Korean alcoholic beverages -- including dongdongju (rice wine), poured from iron kettles, and bamboo soju. (13-13 Beomil 1-dong, Busan; daily 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.)
Beaches in Busan, South Korea
Best All-Around Beach: Haeundae Beach stretches for more than a mile, with a wide swath of white sand, making it Busan's most popular city beach. It's equipped with restrooms, showers, changing facilities and drinking fountains. Nearby are hotels, restaurants, the aquarium and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. You can get there on the metro Line 2; the beach is a 5-minute walk from the Haeundae stop.
Best City Escape: Songdo Beach is fringed by pine trees, and is quieter, and shielded from the city's hubbub. It's located south of the cruise port. You can get there on either bus 34 or 134, from Busan Station.
Best for Bridge-Spotting: Gwangalli Beach has powdery sand and offers great views of the Gwangandaegyo Bridge's nighttime light show. Aside from that, there are plenty of restaurants with water views and you can rent kayaks, motor boats and other water sports toys. Take metro Line 2 to either the Geumnyeonsan or Gwangan stop, and then walk for about five minutes.
Don't Miss in Busan, South Korea
Gyeongju (or Kyong-ju) UNESCO World Heritage Sites: This port's most noteworthy destination is actually north of Busan -- a scenic, 1.5-hour drive away, through hills and mountains. Gyeongju was the ancient capital of the Silla dynasty for about 1,000 years (57 BC to 935 AD), and at one time it was the fourth-largest city in the world. Much remains of the Silla civilization, including huge, conical earthen tombs, the Bulguksa Temple complex and some amazing gold tomb artifacts, displayed in the Gyeongju National Museum. Here are the key sites:
Bulguksa Temple: This temple dates back to 751, but has had many reconstructions over the years. The temple contains a number of national treasures, including stone pagodas and gilded-bronze Buddhas. In 1995, it was named the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Korea. You'll pass through multiple gates as you near the main complex: At the first building, pause to take off your shoes and walk on the ancient, hand-hewn wood floor, as the devout pray to Buddha. Don't miss the huge, painted drum in the surrounding covered gallery. Before you leave the main complex, take a slight detour to the gift shop, which sells lovely brush paintings and scrolls. (15-1 Jinhyeon-dong, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Gyeongju National Museum: Outside the museum, be sure to see the huge 18.9-ton bronze bell that was originally in Bulguksa Temple. Nearly 11 feet tall and covered in reliefs, when rung, the sound was said to be heard from 40 miles away. Inside the museum, there are statues, replicas of pictographs and pottery pieces -- but the main attraction is gold crowns and jewelry from the Silla royal tombs. You'll see intricate belts, earrings, necklaces and other items. Also keep an eye out for the horse armor and some shoes with very spiky soles. (Tip: Don't linger too long in the early rooms, because the most spectacular items are further along.) As you drive away from the museum complex, you'll see a stone building that looks like a giant milk bottle. It's Cheomseongdae, Asia's oldest existing astronomical observatory, built in the seventh century (186, Iljeong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do; Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
Silla Royal Tombs: It seems that the mounded Silla tombs are everywhere in Gyeongju, but some of the most famous ones are in the Daereungwon Tomb Complex. Here, among other tombs in the landscaped park, you'll find Cheonmachong Tomb, which yielded more than 11,000 artifacts, including some of the finest items in Gyeongju National Museum. Normally, it's possible to tour the inside of the tomb, however it was undergoing renovation when we visited. (9, Gyerim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do; daily 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
Jagalchi (or Ja-Gal-Ch'i) Market: South Korea's Jagalchi Market is the largest seafood market, with both indoor and outdoor stalls. You can even have your purchase cooked at the upstairs restaurants, if you'd like. Hours of the different stalls and restaurants vary, but the market is busiest in the morning. (52 Jagalchihaean-ro, Nampo-dong, Jung-gu, Busan; daily, except the first and third Tuesdays of every month)
Gukje Market: About 10 blocks north of Jagalchi Market, this sprawling market sells everything from socks to dumplings, and it's definitely a street food wonderland. The indoor-outdoor market is divided into zones, based on product type. (25 Gukjesijang 2-gil, Gwangbok-dong, Jung-gu, Busan; daily 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Yongdusan Park: This large city park, built on one of Busan's three mountains (with an escalator to help you reach the top), is filled with monuments, statues and traditional architecture. It also has a nearly 400-foot tower offering great views of the city and harbor; you can ride to the top in an elevator, for a fee. The view is particularly spectacular after dark. (37-55, Yongdusan-gil, Jung-gu, Busan; tower daily 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
Gamcheon Culture Village: The "Santorini of Korea" is a hillside with small, colorful houses, murals and whimsical public art scattered throughout. There are also lots of small shops and dining spots sprinkled among the stairways and winding streets. The whole scene provides plenty of photo ops, though you may want to hop a bus rather than braving the climb to the top. (203, Gamnae 2-ro, Saha-gu, Busan)
Sea Life Busan Aquarium: More than 250 different species of fish, reptiles, amphibians and plant life are spread over three underground levels at Busan's aquarium. There's also a walk-through underwater tunnel. (266, Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan; Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday and national holidays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
United Nations Memorial Cemetery: This cemetery is the final resting place for service members of many nationalities who were killed during the Korean War, and it's the world's only U.N. cemetery. There are 2,300 graves, although only 36 are Americans. (Most U.S. casualties were repatriated.) There is also a sculpture park filled with memorials from the countries that contributed troops to the war and a remembrance wall with names of the war dead, including more than 30,000 Americans. The grounds are beautifully landscaped, with flowers and trees. (93, UN Pyeonghwa-ro, Nam-gu, Busan; daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October to April and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May to September)
Temples: Outside of the city center, there are several historic temples in lovely settings. About an hour's drive northeast from the pier (and not far from Haeundae Beach), Haedong Yonggungsa is the rare temple overlooking the ocean. Perched on a rocky outcrop, it offers dramatic views -- if you're willing to conquer the 108 steps. (86 Yonggung-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang, Busan)
Also about an hour from the city center, to the north, Beomeosa Temple, founded in 678 AD, offers excellent mountain views and ancient buildings (250 Beomeosa-ro, Cheongnyongnopo-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan). Further north of the city, Tongdosa Temple, founded in 646 AD, is a national treasure. It's Korea's largest temple, with many buildings and shrines spread throughout the grounds of a forested mountainside. (108 Tongdosa-ro, Habuk-myeon, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)