Cup and Plate Wanderer · 40 stories

Cup & Plate by the Harbor

Writes about restaurants and cafés visited around Busan and Gyeongnam. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Bars · Things to do · Hair & beauty salons · Stays

PlaceSuyeong, BusanCafés

Gwangalli café: ₩4,500 americano, desserts by sweetness, Café Buajang

Café Buajang (카페 부아장) is a café decorated with plants and crochet pieces in Millak-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan, near Gwangalli. The writer, a repeat regular, ordered an iced americano made with dark-roast beans (₩4,500 as of June 2026) and ranked Café Buajang's blueberry, banana and chestnut desserts by sweetness. With parking for about 3 cars (ask in advance) and fair prices, Café Buajang is a café worth making a regular stop on a Gwangalli date.

Written Jun 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, BusanRestaurants

Jungangdong tuna course with torched cheese seafood: Ppong Sashimi

Ppong Sashimi (뽕사시미) is a tuna and sashimi course restaurant in Jungangdong, Jung-gu, Busan, between Busan Station and Jungang Station. The writer and a younger sibling, just off work, shared the C course for two at dinner: abalone porridge and seaweed soup, sea bream sushi, assorted sashimi, tuna, torch-melted cheese seafood, grilled fish, then stone-pot rice and cod soup. Ppong Sashimi's curtain-divided private seating and generous C course made for a belly-patting dinner.

Written Jun 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, BusanRestaurants

Nampo, Busan burger shop: weekday classic & cheese fries, Downtowner

Downtowner Busan Lotte Gwangbok is a handmade burger shop on B1 of Aqua Mall at Lotte Department Store in Jung-gu, Busan. On a weekday evening the writer walked into Downtowner without a wait and ordered the classic Downtowner Burger, cheese fries and a drink, and found that the soft bun, cheese and beef tasted just like an American burger. For a memorable handmade burger in Nampo or Gwangbok-dong, Downtowner Gwangbok makes a satisfying meal.

Written Jun 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanBars

Gwangan-dong date bar: potato jeon & gopdoritang at Buheongsanjang

Buheongsanjang Busan Suyeong branch (부엉이산장 부산수영점) is a Korean pub serving cooked dishes in Gwangan-dong, Suyeong, Busan, tucked in an alley between Suyeong Station and Gwangalli. On a weekday-evening date the writer ordered the cheese gamjachae-jeon (crispy shredded potato pancake) and the gopdoritang set; the crispy potato pancake and the spicy gopdoritang (braised chicken and beef intestine stew) with fresh geotjeori kimchi were the standouts. For a cozy bar with good food near Suyeong Station, the potato pancake at Buheongsanjang is a must-order.

Written Jun 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, BusanRestaurants

Hanwoo BBQ with house-made kimchi in Myeongji, Busan: Yong Hanu

Yong Hanu Myeongji Branch (용한우 명지점) is a company-run hanwoo (Korean beef) BBQ restaurant on the restaurant street of Myeongji International New City in Gangseo, Busan. The writer went with one friend and grilled hanwoo over a corn-fuel brazier. The kimchi and pickled vegetables made in-house and staff who bring things before you press the bell stood out most. With both the beef and the service satisfying, Yong Hanu Myeongji Branch is a definite repeat visit for beef in Myeongji.

Written Jun 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSaha, BusanRestaurants

Noodle shop in Hadan, Busan: cinnamon-scented broth, double portions

Sinpyeong Busan Milmyeon (신평부산밀면) is a newly opened milmyeon (Busan cold wheat noodle) restaurant in Sinpyeong-dong, Saha-gu, Busan, across from the main gate of Hanam Elementary School. The writer and a friend ordered a double-portion water milmyeon, a double-portion water bibim milmyeon and dumplings, and the broth that seemed to carry a hint of cinnamon, the house-made noodles and the generous double portions stood out most. With a clean dining room and an open kitchen, Sinpyeong Busan Milmyeon is an easy, no-fuss lunch choice in Hadan and Sinpyeong.

Written Jun 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYangsan, GyeongnamCafés

Laptop café in Hopo, Yangsan: seat outlets & red bean bun at Choi

Choi Main Branch (초이 본점) is a large bakery café in front of Hopo Station in Dong-myeon, Yangsan, Gyeongnam. On a day her phone battery ran out, the writer charged it at an outlet by her 2nd-floor seat at Choi Main Branch, enjoyed views of the Nakdong River, Geumjeong Mountain and the railway, and took home a red bean bun from the opening-celebration review event. Choi Main Branch is a Yangsan café that suits anyone who wants to combine laptop work with watching the sunset.

Written Jun 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanRestaurants

Hanwoo BBQ in Namcheon-dong, Busan with homemade pickles: Yong Hanu

Yong Hanu Namcheon Branch is a hanwoo (Korean beef) BBQ restaurant in Namcheon-dong, Suyeong, Busan, with group seating for 4 to 40 people and free parking if you check with the restaurant in advance, making it a handy pick for company dinners and family gatherings. The writer and a friend ordered the hanwoo special cuts platter and sirloin, both on promotion at the time, along with the restaurant's homemade pickled vegetables, white kimchi and a doenjang (soybean paste) stew with crab. Thanks to the quality hanwoo, neat side dishes and a friendly owner, Yong Hanu Namcheon Branch is a Busan beef restaurant the writer plans to revisit on payday.

Written Jun 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Gangnam ramen shop, parking tip and chicken breast chashu: Oreno Ramen

Oreno Ramen Gangnam is a chicken-broth ramen shop on the 2nd floor of a building in the alley behind CGV, near Gangnam Station in Seoul. The writer parked at a nearby public lot and, in a solo-friendly bar-seat setting, tried the tori paitan and kara paitan (₩13,000 each) with tsukune chashu (₩3,000) and soft-boiled egg add-ons. Even a writer who has eaten plenty of ramen in Busan was impressed at first bite, so Oreno Ramen Gangnam is a recommended Gangnam Station ramen shop for solo diners and anyone after a filling meal.

Written Jul 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGyeongju, GyeongbukCafés

Gyeongju bakery café with forest views and easy parking: Cafe Road 100

Cafe Road 100 is a large bakery café on Bobul-ro near Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk. After remembering a strawberry latte from a winter visit, the writer returned to Cafe Road 100 in summer with a child and relaxed thanks to the owner's own sunflower field, the forest view through floor-to-ceiling windows, a big car park and roomy seating. For a family café break on a Bulguksa route, Cafe Road 100 is a great fit.

Written Jul 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Sushi near Hongik Univ. Station, 4 starters and soy shrimp: Yu Iksang

Yu Iksang Sushi (유익상스시) is a sushi restaurant on a side street off Wausan-ro 23-gil near Hongik Univ. Station in Mapo, Seoul. Two diners ordered the Couple A set, which came with four starters (cold buckwheat soba, soup, fried shrimp and salmon roe salad) followed by long, thick-cut live-fish, salmon, tuna, soy-marinated shrimp and aged-kimchi sushi. For big cuts of fish, a well-matched rice ratio and a reasonable price, the Yu Iksang Sushi Couple A set is a satisfying choice.

Written Jul 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBusanjin, BusanRestaurants

Busan tonkatsu dinner: loin and mix katsu in Jeonpo | Katsu Kitchen

Katsu Kitchen Premium Jeonpo Main Branch is a Japanese tonkatsu (pork cutlet) restaurant in Jeonpo-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan. At dinner the writer ordered loin katsu, mix katsu (cheese + loin + tenderloin) and mini udon; the set came with beef radish soup, sesame oil and dessert ice cream, and the friendly staff stood out. Verdict: for tonkatsu in Jeonpo that gets the basics and meat quality right, Katsu Kitchen is worth a return visit.

Written Jul 4, 2026Sponsored