Sharing butadon and hitsumabushi in Gijang, Busan: Yangsando Yeonhwa
In short
Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch is a freshwater eel rice bowl restaurant with 60 years of history in Yeonhwa-ri, Gijang, Busan. Ordering one butadon (17,000 won) and one hitsumabushi (27,000 won) let two people compare an egg-yolk mixed rice bowl with an eel rice bowl eaten three ways, and the private room-style seats and Japanese-style garden suited both a date and a family meal. Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch is a good first stop for eel rice bowls alongside an easygoing pork bowl at the same table.
Good to know
- Address
- 45-10 Yeonhwa-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan
- Hours
- Tue–Sun 11:30–20:30 (last order 19:40)
- Break time
- 15:00–16:30 (no break on weekends)
- Closed
- Every Monday
- Parking
- Large private lot available
- Menu prices
- Special mentaiko hitsumabushi 44,000 won / Mentaiko hitsumabushi 34,000 won / Special hitsumabushi 37,000 won / Hitsumabushi or teishoku set 27,000 won / Butadon or sake-don 17,000 won
- Seating
- Room-style seats along both sides of a hallway, with high chairs and coat hooks
- Event
- Free soda or ice cream for posting a Naver receipt review
- Price reference
- ₩17,000 ≈ $12.5 · ₩27,000 ≈ $20 (2026-09-15)
as written by the visitor on Sep 13, 2026
Today I'm introducing Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch, a 60-year-old freshwater eel rice bowl restaurant in Yeonhwa-ri, Gijang, Busan!
Where is Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch, and what are its hours?
Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch is at 45-10 Yeonhwa-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, and there's a large private lot, so it's easy to get to by car. Hours are Tue–Sun 11:30–20:30 (last order 19:40).
- Address: 45-10 Yeonhwa-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan
- Large private parking lot available
- Tue–Sun 11:30–20:30 / last order 19:40
- Break time 15:00–16:30 (no break time on weekends)
- Closed every Monday
The Japanese-style garden out front
The exterior of Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch was impressive, with an atmosphere reminiscent of a Japanese garden 🌳.
The outdoor space was so well put together that I ended up wandering around the garden before even going in to eat — Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch was also great for photos.
The rickshaw placed by one side of the entrance was especially unusual. It blended well with the overall space and added to Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch's distinctive old-fashioned feel >< 👍
Room-style seating: can you bring kids?
Inside Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch, room-style seating lines both sides of a hallway, making it private. Baby chairs and coat hangers are also provided.
The interior naturally carries on the Japanese atmosphere you get from the exterior.
Room-style seating runs along both sides of the hallway, with each table's space separated off, giving it a cozier, more private feel.
✔️ There are baby chairs and hangers for outerwear too!
An unrivaled freshwater eel brand carried on by three generations since 1956
Menu and prices at Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch
Special mentaiko hitsumabushi ₩44,000 Mentaiko hitsumabushi ₩34,000 Special hitsumabushi ₩37,000 Hitsumabushi / teishoku ₩27,000 Butadon / sakedon ₩17,000
We ordered the butadon (₩17,000) and the hitsumabushi (₩27,000).
Butadon (pork rice bowl), 17,000 won
The butadon looked glossy and shiny right from the start — really appetizing.
Popping the egg yolk in the middle and mixing it through the meat and rice made the sauce taste much softer and added a nutty richness — personally, this combo was the tastiest.👍
The pork was deeply soaked in a sweetish soy sauce seasoning, salty with great umami, and it paired so well with the rice that I demolished it in no time.
Hitsumabushi: Nagoya-style whole eel rice bowl, 27,000 won
The hitsumabushi's eel was grilled to a golden brown on the outside — slightly crisp, while the inside stayed moist and tender. The texture was really great.
The sweetish, salty special sauce soaked well into the eel, and best of all there was no fishy taste — very satisfying. It melted in my mouth!!
At first I ate the eel and rice plain to enjoy the eel's natural nutty flavor, then added scallions, seaweed, and wasabi, which brought a fragrant, sharp kick and made it taste even cleaner.
At the end, pouring in warm broth to eat it like ochazuke let the eel's rich flavor unfold softly, revealing yet another charm. 💜
Within a single bowl I got to enjoy the crisp texture of the eel, the sweet umami of the sauce, and the light broth — I never got tired of the hitsumabushi and enjoyed it right to the end.
Side dishes and the Naver review event
The banchan (side dishes) included soft steamed egg, warm broth soup, and a small refreshing bowl of buckwheat noodles, plus kimchi and salad — a pretty solid spread.
👉 Leave a Naver receipt review and get a free soda or ice cream!
Who Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch is best for
Overall, Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch was satisfying from the atmosphere down to the food. The Japanese-style garden and the clean, calm interior made it a pleasant place to spend time, and both the butadon and the hitsumabushi had their own clear charms that I enjoyed. If you're in the Gijang area of Busan looking for an atmospheric restaurant, or for a good eel rice bowl or butadon spot, Yangsando Gijang Yeonhwa Branch is worth a visit.
Where it is
45-10 Yeonhwa-gil, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, South Korea부산광역시 기장군 기장읍 연화길 45-10
