Alcohol-free izakaya visit in Seomyeon, Busan: horumon at Teppan King

I visited Teppan King (데판킹), an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) near Seomyeon Station. The reviews are so good and it's such a well-known steak spot around Seomyeon that I'd been wanting to come for ages. My husband and I went, and we ended up applauding how tasty it was.

Teppan King location and opening hours near Seomyeon Station

Teppan King is at 722-4 Jungang-daero, Busanjin-gu, Busan, on the ground floor, between Seomyeon Station and Jeonpo Station. Hours are Fri–Sat 15:00 to 02:00 the next day, and Mon–Sun 16:00 to 02:00 the next day.

Teppan King menu and prices

Kobe-style wagyu flap steak ₩30,000, Fukuoka horumon (grilled offal) ₩19,000, add Korean beef intestine ₩9,000, top-grade scallop and butter shrimp ₩23,000, seasoned grilled cod cheek ₩23,000.

• A. Special okonomiyaki + special yakisoba ₩28,000
• B. Wagyu flap steak + scallop and shrimp ₩49,000
• C. Wagyu flap steak + scallop and shrimp + special okonomiyaki ₩59,000

I was also curious about the original meat spaghetti on the side menu.

Counter seats or private room: what is seating like at Teppan King?

Teppan King has counter seats right at the griddle, plus regular tables. I arrived first at dinner time, yay! I sat at the counter to watch the cooking. There's also one large private room, so it works for group drinks too.

I'm pregnant, so I can't have even one beer... I got my vicarious thrill by looking over the sake selection. It felt so sad to eat Japanese food without beer, but Teppan King was so delicious that the sadness disappeared.

Set A okonomiyaki, cooked on the griddle in front of you

I ordered Set A, okonomiyaki (savory cabbage pancake) and yakisoba (fried noodles), plus the horumon.

The owner prepares it on the spot with flashy hand movements. He piled on the cabbage and cooked it slowly until the cabbage wilted. It came out in such a pretty shape, and watching his flashy hands, I lost track of time. I vowed to have the wagyu flap steak next time, and waited for the yakisoba.

Special yakisoba, made fresh on the next griddle

The griddle is looong, so he makes the yakisoba right next to it.

Waiting while he made it so beautifully, I found the yakisoba so fun to watch that I only watched the yakisoba, even with my beloved husband sitting right next to me haha

He topped it with egg, parsley flakes, a swish of bonito flakes and mayonnaise.

My husband and I said, "This is our first time sitting down to eat original yakisoba together, right?" and wolfed it down. The sauce is sweet, and eaten with the meat, shrimp and egg, it was a real treat.

Fukuoka horumon (grilled offal) for 19,000 won

The horumon comes grilled together with king oyster mushrooms and onions.

I piled bonito flakes and sauce on the okonomiyaki and it was sooo good (crying face). With the sweet sauce and cabbage, it sits well in my stomach too, and I just kept wanting more. There's a side with loads of cheese, so next time I'll add lots of cheese.

Both were delicious, but I clapped for the okonomiyaki and my husband clapped for the yakisoba. It really depends on the person, so I recommend ordering both.

They also light the fire for the horumon so it doesn't go cold.

It comes with two sauces: a tangy garlic soy sauce and a ssamjang-like paste sauce (makjang). Eating the horumon, I instantly thought of a cold draft beer. Whenever I eat good food I think of alcohol, and this was exactly that kind of taste. It's rich and savory, and everything I ordered was delicious, so I want to try the rest of the menu next time.

The horumon gets nuttier and chewier the more you chew, and the salty-sweet okonomiyaki and yakisoba seem like the perfect drinking snacks for a hot summer day when you want a cold beer.