Busanjin Japanese curry restaurant for a cozy lunch: Sarugak20

Last weekend, when the weather was lovely, the two of us were on a Jeonpo date and wondering what to have for lunch around Jeonpo Café Street. It had been a while since I’d had really good Japanese curry, so we headed to Sarugak20, a great curry spot in Jeonpo, Busan!

I used to absolutely love the curry at Moru Restaurant and visited often, so I’d been curious about Sarugak20 for ages after hearing it was Moru Restaurant’s second branch.

This time I came for lunch with my partner, and not only was the curry delicious, but the restaurant itself felt so cozy that it was a nice place to include on a date.

Walking to Sarugak20 from Jeonpo Station

A video look at this great curry restaurant in Jeonpo, Busan

Sarugak20 is conveniently walkable from Exit 8 of Jeonpo Station, across from the Jeonpo 1-dong Community Service Center.

The restaurant is on basement level 1, so you have to follow the stairs down from the entrance. They are a little steep, so be careful on the way down! To the right of the entrance was a little area with charming decorative items where you could write your name on the waiting list. We came for a late lunch and were able to go straight in without waiting.

But once you head downstairs, it doesn’t feel stuffy at all. Soft sunlight comes through the windows, and the mix of white and wood tones gave the whole space a warm, cozy feel.

There were seats for solo diners, tables for two and four, and a large table for groups, so it looked great not only for dates but also for eating alone or visiting with friends. There was also bar-style seating on one side, so it seemed like a good option for a solo meal in Jeonpo too.

Cute little items such as rattan pieces, postcards, and framed pictures were placed throughout. It had a hint of the feeling of a small curry shop you might stumble across while traveling in Japan, which made looking around the restaurant fun.

They also sold cute accessories such as bracelets, rings, and keychains, so it was nice to browse while waiting for our food.

There was even a separate sink inside the restaurant. Hand wash and hand cream were both provided, which made washing up easy and showed the owner’s thoughtful attention to detail.

Ordering at the counter and the curry menu

The owner hands out the menu before you enter the dining area. Once you have chosen a seat, you can order and pay at the counter. There was regular water and lime water beside it, plus portable water bottles you could take to your table.

As you’d expect from a curry specialist, Sarugak20 offers everything from cream curry to deep, rich Special Curry, along with a variety of toppings. 🍛

• Shrimp Cream Curry ₩9,000
• Brisket Cream Curry ₩11,000
• Special Curry ₩9,000
• Sopecial Curry ₩12,000
• Sarugak Curry ₩12,000
• Half-and-Half Curry ₩10,000
• Sides: sweet potato cheese croquette, fried shrimp, tonkatsu, karaage
• Extra toppings: scrambled eggs, soft-boiled egg, sausage

Trying cream curry and Special Curry together with half-and-half curry

Since there were two of us, we ordered the Half-and-Half Curry with added scrambled eggs, Sopecial Curry for ₩12,000, tonkatsu for ₩4,000, and grapefruit juice for ₩2,500 :) We wanted to try several flavors, and two kinds of curry plus a side made for such a satisfying spread.

First up was the Half-and-Half Curry I ordered! Cream Curry and Special Curry arrived divided evenly on one plate, and it looked so pretty from the start. Adding scrambled eggs made it look even more appetizing, with the soft egg blending into the curry.

True to its name, the Cream Curry had an appealingly soft, creamy flavor. Rather than being intense or spicy, it was gently nutty with a deep flavor, and it paired beautifully with rice.

Personally, the Cream Curry was so smooth that it was delicious even spooned up on its own.

The Special Curry on the other side was definitely richer and more intensely flavored than the Cream Curry. It contained minced beef for a little bite, and its deep spice flavor and savoriness were so good mixed through the rice.

The two curries tasted distinctly different, so I was really glad we ordered them half-and-half instead of choosing just one. A bite of Cream Curry, a bite of Special Curry, and some scrambled egg alongside—such a perfect way to enjoy a variety of flavors.

Hearty Sopecial Curry and tonkatsu loaded with toppings

My partner’s Sopecial Curry was piled generously with toppings just like its name suggests, making it look filling at a glance.

Rich beef curry came topped with sausage, a soft-boiled egg, cheese, garlic flakes, and more, making it a generous dish with lots of different flavors to enjoy. In particular, popping the egg yolk and lightly mixing it into the curry added a nutty, soft note to the rich curry—it was such a treat.

I also loved how the melted cheese naturally blended into the curry, giving it a slightly thick, rich texture! And the garlic flakes were crispy, adding another layer of texture in every few bites.

If you like a soft, creamy style like Cream Curry, I’d recommend the Half-and-Half Curry. If you want a hearty meal with meat and lots of toppings, I’d recommend the Sopecial Curry.

Curry alone felt a little incomplete, so we added tonkatsu as a side at Sarugak20. It came cut into easy-to-eat pieces, making it perfect to have alongside the curry. It also came with a cabbage salad dressed with yuzu, so the side itself was excellent.

The tonkatsu was delicious on its own with its crispy, clean flavor, but dipping it lightly into the curry sauce was, of course, the best combination. Especially with the rich Special Curry, it really felt like a substantial meal at a Japanese curry specialist.

For a drink, we ordered grapefruit juice for ₩2,500. It was fresh and slightly bitter in that grapefruit way, so taking a sip now and then made my palate feel refreshed! It was reasonably priced too, making it a nice accompaniment.

For a lunch date around Jeonpo Café Street

I loved that Sarugak20 let us enjoy delicious curry along with a Japanese-inspired atmosphere. As Moru Restaurant’s second branch, it captured both the appeal of soft Cream Curry and deep, rich Japanese curry, and dishes like the Half-and-Half Curry made it fun to choose according to your taste.

If you want lunch before heading to a café on Jeonpo Café Street, are craving a delicious meal that isn’t too heavy, or are looking for an atmospheric restaurant for a Jeonpo date, I think Sarugak20 would be well worth a visit. 🍛🤎