Haeundae sashimi restaurant with 500°C wood-fired mackerel, Busan

When you come to Busan for a food trip, how far have you usually gone? Pork gukbap, hagfish, dongnae pajeon (scallion pancake), regular fish sashimi... Busan is honestly a paradise for food, but surprisingly not many people have properly tried mackerel sashimi!

Of all the fish out there, mackerel is famously the most temperamental — it starts spoiling the moment it's caught and can easily get fishy. I remember trying mackerel sashimi elsewhere before and not being too impressed. But then I heard about Haneobuui Godeungeosarang Haeundae (한어부의고등어사랑 해운대점), where you can supposedly get truly fresh mackerel and horse mackerel sashimi, so I went in with high expectations.

What is Haneobuui Godeungeosarang Haeundae like inside?

The moment I walked in, my first thought was, "Wow, why is this sashimi restaurant so clean?" When I asked the owner, they said the place had a fire a few years back and was renovated to be even more spotless afterward. There's a saying that a store does great business after a fire — and sure enough, the interior was pristine and the service was really friendly.

The secret to freshness: the large tank inside the restaurant

Flounder or rockfish can taste better as they're aged, but mackerel sashimi is only truly delicious when it's prepared and eaten right on the spot. Haneobuui Godeungeosarang Haeundae keeps a large fish tank in the store, so they can serve live, just-caught mackerel.

A 5-minute walk from Haeundae Station, with its own parking lot

It's about a 5-minute walk from Haeundae Station and close to the hot spots Gunam-ro and Haeri-dan-gil, so it's easy to find even on your first visit. There's also a private parking area behind the store, so anyone driving in can park comfortably.

What we ordered: mackerel sashimi and 500°C wood-fired grilled mackerel

We ordered fresh mackerel sashimi along with 500°C wood-fired grilled fish for a friend who isn't great at eating raw fish.

Mackerel sashimi that melts in your mouth

The moment I put a freshly cut piece of mackerel sashimi in my mouth, I got this fantastic savory fattiness that wrapped gently around my tongue and just melted away with zero fishiness. It completely shattered any preconceptions I had about mackerel sashimi — genuinely moving.

Crisp outside, juicy inside: the 500°C wood-fired grilled mackerel

The grilled mackerel we ordered for my sashimi-averse friend was cooked in a 500°C wood-fired oven and looked stunning from the start. Crispy on the outside and holding all that juicy flavor inside — it's the kind of dish that impresses everyone regardless of age.

On top of the grilled fish, the doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) had real depth too, so we got to properly enjoy everything in one sitting — very satisfying overall.

Visitor info: location and parking at Haneobuui Godeungeosarang Haeundae

• Location: Udong, Haeundae-gu, Busan (5-minute walk from Haeundae Station, near Gunam-ro and Haeri-dan-gil)
• Parking: Private lot behind the store, convenient for family meals and gatherings
• Recommended for: With its spacious, comfortable interior, this place is great for meals with parents, family outings, work dinners, or a relaxed lunch in Haeundae

Frequently asked questions

Can I go with someone who can't eat raw fish at all?

Yes! With options like the crispy-outside-juicy-inside 500°C wood-fired grilled mackerel and spicy-sweet aged kimchi stew, there's plenty on the menu for people who don't eat raw fish to enjoy a satisfying meal.

Is it close to Haeundae Station or Haeridan-gil?

It's a 5-minute walk from Haeundae Station and close to both Gunam-ro and Haeri-dan-gil, so it's very easy to reach on foot.

Does mackerel sashimi taste fishy?

The fish is prepared on the spot from live mackerel kept in a large in-store tank, so there's no fishy smell at all — just a savory, clean flavor.

Final verdict: why I'd recommend Haneobuui Godeungeosarang Haeundae

• Overwhelming freshness of just-caught fish: you can enjoy the deep flavor of mackerel and horse mackerel sashimi prepared straight from the tank.
• A well-rounded lineup of grilled and stewed dishes: 500°C wood-fired grilling, neat side dishes, and a private parking lot make it perfect for a meal with parents or a family outing in Haeundae.

If you want to properly experience real mackerel sashimi, grilled fish, and aged kimchi stew all in one place in Haeundae, definitely pay a visit to Haneobuui Godeungeosarang Haeundae!