End of Queue · 33 stories

Busan After the Queue

I write about restaurants I visit around Busan and Gyeongnam. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Bars · Shopping

PlaceJung-gu, DaeguRestaurants

Dongseong-ro, Daegu solo gukbap on a hot May day: Hanwoojang

Hanwoojang is a gukbap (rice soup) restaurant on Gukchaebosang-ro in Jung-gu, Daegu, close to Dongseong-ro. On a May day as hot as summer, the writer returned to Hanwoojang alone and had the special ttaro-gukbap (soup with rice on the side) and a Fanta in the cool dining room, enjoying the generous fillings, rich broth, well-ripened kimchi, self-serve side dish bar and paper cups. For an easy solo gukbap meal near Dongseong-ro, Hanwoojang is a solid choice.

Written Jun 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNam-gu, BusanRestaurants

Daeyeon Station shabu-shabu for two, udon and egg porridge: Misikga-ui

Misikga-ui Udon Daeyeon Direct Branch is a Japanese udon restaurant near Exit 6 of Daeyeon Station in Nam-gu, Busan, that also runs as an izakaya (Japanese pub) in the evening. Two diners ordered the shabu-shabu for two at ₩13,500 per person, added an extra vegetable plate, and ate their way through meat and vegetables, udon noodles and finally egg porridge. Despite the udon in its name, Misikga-ui Udon Daeyeon Direct Branch serves a shabu-shabu that eats like a filling full-course meal.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanBars

Gwangalli standing bar with a Halloween photo mirror: Ganppa Beer

Ganppa Beer Gwangalli 2 is a standing beer bar in an alley in Gwangalli, Busan, where you drink on your feet. Two people visited Ganppa Beer Gwangalli 2 in October for Sapporo draft beer and Ganppa special tebasaki (Japanese-style chicken wings), took photos in front of a Halloween-decorated mirror and printed them as black-and-white photos in a Ganppa Beer frame. The standout was the smooth Sapporo draft, whose carbonation goes down without stinging the throat.

Written Oct 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanRestaurants

Korean BBQ in Gwangalli, Busan with 480-hour aged pork: Donbegi

Donbegi Gwang-an Branch (돈베기 광안점) is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Millak-dong, Suyeong, Busan, that specialises in pork aged for 480 hours. At Donbegi, staff grilled the aged ogyeopsal (skin-on pork belly) and pork neck at the table, and two people also had Geumsa-dong cold kimchi kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), pollock roe rice and doenjang (soybean paste) stew for ₩51,000 in total. The aged pork was delicious, but Donbegi's cold kimchi kalguksu rivals a dedicated noodle shop and is a must-order on a return visit.

Written Oct 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanBars

Draft beer bar in Gwangalli, Busan: level-1 spicy pork ribs, Maenggu

Maenggu Pocha Gwang-an Main Branch (맹구포차 광안본점) is a retro-themed pub near Geumnyeonsan Station, close to Gwangalli Beach in Busan. On a return visit, the writer skipped the seafood and ordered the braised pork rib set (35,000 won) at spice level 1 with Cass draft beer, and the table filled up with tender ribs, potatoes, steamed egg and egg rice with seaweed flakes. Maenggu Pocha Gwang-an Main Branch is a Gwangalli bar for hearty food and a retro setting with plenty to look at, even if you are not after seafood.

Written Oct 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceHaeundae, BusanRestaurants

Steamed clam restaurant in Jangsan, Busan: large seafood pot, Sambari

Sambari Jangsan Branch is a steamed clam and grilled clam seafood restaurant in Jwa-dong, near Jangsan in Haeundae, Busan. On a return visit with a friend, the writer had the large steamed clam pot piled with scallops, squid and shrimp, plus cheese corn and free starter snacks of silkworm pupae, peanuts and kelp, in a dining room styled like a fishing-port eatery. With satisfying portions, flavor, atmosphere and value, Sambari Jangsan Branch is a Jangsan steamed clam spot worth coming back to.

Written Jun 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBusanjin, BusanBars

Seomyeon griddle bar for three: scallops & beer, Cheolpaneun Pinggyego

Cheolpaneun Pinggyego (철판은 핑계고) Busan main branch is a tabletop griddle bar near Exit 6 of Seomyeon Station in Busanjin, Busan. Three friends ordered the butter scallop set (butter-grilled scallops, corn cheese and 2 Suntory draft beers, ₩44,900) plus one Hanmac draft beer, ₩49,400 in total, and grilled scallops, shrimp, potatoes, mushrooms and corn themselves on the table griddle. For a group of three looking for griddled seafood and draft beer in Seomyeon, the Cheolpaneun Pinggyego butter scallop set is a good choice.

Written Oct 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBusanjin, BusanRestaurants

Seomyeon braised ribs with English menus, 2nd-floor seats: Sinchon

Sinchon Yangpuni Seomyeon Main Branch is a restaurant specialising in yangpuni galbijjim (Korean braised pork back ribs in a large pot), made with Korean pork, on a side street near Seomyeon Station Exit 2 in Busan. Sitting on the 2nd floor with friends, the writer ordered 3 portions of braised ribs, 2 beers, rice balls and a cola by table QR code, and staff prepared the ribs and stir-fried the closing fried rice. Sinchon Yangpuni Seomyeon Main Branch is a cool, air-conditioned spot for a relaxed braised rib meal where you can focus on conversation.

Written Oct 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanRestaurants

Gwangalli Blue Ribbon sashimi restaurant: set for two, The Bangpaje

The Bangpaje is a seasonal sashimi restaurant in Millak-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan, near Gwangalli, open since 1982. Two diners ordered The Bangpaje's Seasonal Assorted Sashimi Set for 2 (58,000 won): thick-cut fish, side dishes such as sweet potato chips and white kimchi, and the included spicy fish stew, with extra rice ordered separately. The Blue Ribbon (since 2021) and Red Ribbon (2025 and 2026) certifications were confirmed at the restaurant. With its long history and calm wood interior, The Bangpaje is a solid Gwangalli sashimi restaurant for family meals with parents or group gatherings.

Written Oct 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanRestaurants

Totoro-filled Namcheon-dong Japanese diner: plum set + ade, Daidokoro

Daidokoro Gwangalli Main Branch is a Japanese home-style restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building in Namcheon-dong, Suyeong, Busan, open since 2015. On a sponsored visit, the writer ordered the plum set for two (39,500 won at the kiosk) plus one extra plum ade, 45,500 won in total, and got a full table of karaage (Japanese fried chicken), pork cutlet curry, fried fish cake bites and homemade milk pudding. Daidokoro's plum set for two suits anyone who wants to sample a little of many dishes while browsing Totoro and No-Face character props.

Written Oct 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNam-gu, BusanRestaurants

Daeyeon-dong Busan BBQ: mild galbi set & self-bar, Gim Geumja

Gim Geumja Sutbul Galbi Daeyeon Branch (김금자숯불갈비 대연점) is a charcoal-grilled pork galbi restaurant on Suyeong-ro in Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan. Dining with a child, the writer's group ordered the Gim Geumja Set (₩33,400: 400g marinated galbi plus 400g spicy galbi) at spice level 0, the mildest. They added beef brisket doenjang rice (soybean paste soup with rice), signature honeycomb pork skin and wrap vegetables from the self-bar. Because the spice level is adjustable, Gim Geumja Sutbul Galbi is an easy, budget-friendly Daeyeon-dong pick for family meals with kids or group dinners.

Written Jul 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceHaeundae, BusanRestaurants

Haeundae pork galbi, chwinamul pot rice and sungnyung: Seokok Galbi

Seokok Galbi (석옥갈비) Haeundae Jungdong is a handmade pork galbi restaurant near Exit 7 of Jungdong Station in Haeundae, Busan. At Seokok Galbi, the 2125 Jangin Galbi and Heukjangdon Galbi (₩13,000 per serving each) come with the Seokok eight-side set and sauces from the self-serve bar, and the chwinamul (aster greens) autumn pot rice ends as sungnyung (scorched-rice tea). From meat to side dishes to pot rice, Seokok Galbi serves pork galbi in Haeundae as one complete meal.

Written Oct 10, 2026Sponsored