Explore Korea Like a Local

Hello, my amazing foodie friends! 💖 This is Your K-Friend at K.RIDE!

Are you planning a trip to Busan and feeling a little overwhelmed by all the food options? 🌊 Haeundae, Gwangalli, Nampo-dong… where do you even start?

Well, I’ve got the ultimate secret weapon for you! This isn’t just my list of recommendations. It’s a list powered by real data from Kakao T, Korea’s most-used taxi app! This means these are the spots where actual locals are telling their taxi drivers to “take me there!” all day, every day.

Forget the tourist traps! This is your guide to eating like a real Busan local. Let’s go! ✨

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🍜 My Top 10 Busan Restaurants (Where Locals Actually Go!)

1. Subyeon Choegeol Dwaeji Gukbap (수변최고돼지국밥)

• What to Expect: This is the king of Dwaeji Gukbap (Pork Rice Soup) near Gwangalli Beach. It’s famous for its rich, clean broth and tender Hangjeong (pork jowl) meat. It’s my #1 choice for a hearty meal or… a late-night hangover cure! 😉
• Location: 9-32, Gwanganhaebyeon-ro 370beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan
• 💡 My K-Friend Tip: Okay, this is my most important tip! The line here is legendary. You MUST use a waiting app like Tableling to book in advance. Trust me, it will save you hours!

2. Naengsutang Garden (냉수탕가든)

• What to Expect: This is a true local hidden gem! 🦆 Tucked away in Gayagongwon Park, this restaurant is famous for its delicious Ori Bulgogi (Spicy Duck Bulgogi). It’s a tranquil, peaceful spot where you can enjoy a fantastic meal surrounded by nature.
• Location: 266 Gaya-daero, Busanjin-gu, Busan (within Gayagongwon)
• 💡 My K-Friend Tip: The duck bulgogi is the star, and it’s well-seasoned with onions and chives. After you finish most of the duck, you must order Bokkeumbap (fried rice)! They’ll mix it with the leftover sauce in the pan, and it’s the best part of the meal.

3. Tonshou (톤쇼우)

• What to Expect: This is a Japanese-style tonkatsu (pork cutlet) spot in Gwangalli that has lines so long, it’s become famous for its line. Is it worth it? YES! The pork is incredibly juicy and high-quality.
• Location: 13, Gwanganhaebyeon-ro 279beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan
• 💡 My K-Friend Tip: Reservations on the Catchtable app are essential. They open at 10 AM and spots are gone in seconds. If you fail, your only other chance is to show up before they open and wait. Good luck!

4. Wonjo Busan Jokbal (원조부산족발)

• What to Expect: You can’t leave Busan without trying Naengchae Jokbal (Cold Pig’s Trotters with Jellyfish Salad), and this is the place that invented it! It’s sweet, tangy, and a little spicy from the mustard sauce. So refreshing!
• Location: 13-1, Gwangbok-ro, Jung-gu, Busan (in Nampo-dong Jokbal Alley)
• 💡 My K-Friend Tip: The portions are huge! A “Small” (소) size is usually plenty for two people. It comes with a warm noodle soup as a starter, which is a perfect balance.

5. Heejamae (희자매)

• What to Expect: Grilled clam (Jogae Gui) heaven! Located in Songdo, this place is famous for its super fresh, generous platters of clams, abalone, and shrimp that you grill at your table. It’s a loud, fun, and delicious local experience.
• Location: 620-23, Amnam-dong, Seo-gu, Busan
• 💡 My K-Friend Tip: Go hungry! They give you so much food. My favorite part is at the end: you use the foil dish to mix the leftover clam juice, onions, and cheese into a bubbling, delicious “gratin.”

6. Seokhwayeon (석화연)

• What to Expect: High-quality, dry-aged pork BBQ… with a stunning ocean view of Gwangalli Beach! It’s the perfect place to enjoy sizzling samgyeopsal while watching the Gwangandaegyo Bridge light up.
• Location: 2F, 199 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan
• 💡 My K-Friend Tip: Call ahead and try to reserve a window seat! The Bbyeomoksal (Bone-in Pork Neck) is their limited-quantity signature dish and is definitely worth trying.

7. Dongmyeonsik Milmyeon (동면식밀면)

• What to Expect: Along with gukbap, Milmyeon (wheat noodle soup) is Busan’s other soul food. This spot in Gwangalli offers a modern, stylish take with a beautiful ocean view. The beef broth is rich and clean.
• Location: 251 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan
• 💡 My K-Friend Tip: The Son Mandu (Handmade Dumplings) are a must-order side dish. They are the perfect complement to the cool, refreshing noodles.

8. Haemok (해목)

• What to Expect: A gorgeous restaurant in Haeundae specializing in Hitsumabushi (Nagoya-style grilled eel over rice). It’s so popular, it’s considered one of the best eel restaurants in all of Korea.
• Location: 8 Gunam-ro 24beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan
• 💡 My K-Friend Tip: They teach you to eat it in four ways (original, with condiments, with broth, and your favorite). Definitely use a waiting app (like Tableling) or go before they open. The wait is real!

9. Suminine (수민이네)

• What to Expect: Another legendary grilled clam and eel spot, this one in Cheongsapo. It has a more rustic, “pocha” (tent stall) vibe. Grilling fresh seafood over charcoal with the sound of the waves… it doesn’t get more “Busan” than this!
• Location: 118 Cheongsapo-ro 58beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan
• 💡 My K-Friend Tip: The staff are pros and will often help you grill. After the clams, definitely order the bokkeumbap (fried rice) to make in the leftover foil-plate juices!

10. Geumsubokguk (금수복국)

• What to Expect: A Haeundae institution for over 50 years! This 24-hour restaurant specializes in Bokguk (Pufferfish Soup). It’s the ultimate “hangover cure” soup for locals, with a clean, refreshing broth and tender pufferfish.
• Location: 23 Jungdong 1-ro 43beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan
• 💡 My K-Friend Tip: If you’re new to pufferfish, don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe! I highly recommend getting the Jiri (clear broth) to appreciate the delicate flavor.

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🚖 How to Get Around Busan?

Okay, so now you have your dream list! But… Busan is HUGE. 🗺️

Haeundae, Gwangalli, and Nampo-dong are really far apart. You could spend all day trying to figure out the subway and bus transfers, and it can be so stressful.

This is where I truly recommend K.RIDE! It’s the taxi-hailing app designed just for international travelers like you. It’s my #1 tip for getting around a big, spread-out city like Busan.

Why K.RIDE is Your Best Friend in Busan:

• ✅ Multi-language app support: No language stress! The app works perfectly in English, Japanese, Chinese, and 130+ other languages.
• ✅ Foreign card-friendly: This is the best part! You can register your international credit card right in the app. No fumbling for Korean cash in the taxi!
• ✅ Automatic destination translation: This is a lifesaver. Just type “Subyeon Choegeol” in English, and the app automatically translates it for the driver. No need to speak Korean!
• ✅ Fair pricing: The app runs on a fair, standard meter fare, so you never have to worry about being overcharged.

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💖 Eat Well in Busan!

I really hope this data-backed guide helps you eat so well and experience the city’s true culinary spirit. Go create some amazing food memories!

And with K.RIDE, getting to your next delicious meal (or back to your hotel when you’re full and happy!) is the easiest part. 😉

Thanks for reading!
— Your K-Friend at k.ride ✨
See you on the road!