Nampo-dong bar for cheesy chicken thighs: Budan Nampo Branch

Budan in Nampo-dong, Busan, has it all: atmosphere and seriously tasty bar snacks! There are branches in Gwangalli and Seomyeon too, but the Nampo Branch is closest to me, so whenever I have plans in Nampo-dong, I usually make them here haha.

Where is Budan Nampo Branch, and what is it like?

Budan Nampo Branch is on the second floor of the Miryang Dwaeji Gukbap building in Bupyeong Jokbal Alley. There are lots of cinemas, shops, and things to do nearby, so it is perfect for killing time before coming by in the evening. It is also close to Jagalchi Station and the Seo-gu Office bus stop, making it easy to reach by public transport.

Budan, a bar in Nampo-dong, Busan, has dim lighting and a pretty hip vibe overall, so it works well for dates, company dinners, group gatherings, or a second- or third-round drinking spot.

The seating is very spacious and can comfortably accommodate up to 100 people. On this day, it looked like a group of around 80–90 had booked, since most of the tables were reserved.

There are not many bars this large in Nampo-dong, so if you are looking for a big bar, Budan is the one~!

What is on the menu at Budan Nampo Branch?

When you come to Budan, a great place to eat in Nampo-dong, Busan, choosing a menu can take forever. There are cheese jjusaewoo, Daemok Maedalgu, corn ppaddak, soups and hot pots—order one thing and suddenly you want another too... The unusual dishes that you cannot try at other bars make the decision even harder.

After choosing a main snack, I also recommend a side. There are dishes substantial enough to replace a meal, plus refreshing desserts such as bingsu (shaved ice) and sherbet to cleanse your palate. If you are craving something sweet, go for Oreo or green-tea-chocolate bingsu.

There are highballs and makgeolli (Korean rice wine) too, besides soju and beer.

I tried the tomato cheese chicken thighs and Jjapagetti

Budan's complimentary snack is toast with whipped cream. I normally order drinks only after the food comes out, but at Budan, this alone is such a tasty snack that I immediately order a beer and have a drink haha. The crisp toast and sweet whipped cream are a great combination.

Tomato cheese waterfall boneless chicken thigh grill

Tomato cheese waterfall boneless chicken thigh grill (₩30,000). I have been to Budan in Nampo-dong several times, but this was my first time trying this menu, haha. The name alone got my expectations way up, so I ordered it without hesitation~

After letting it cook a little longer on the burner, the cheese started bubbling away~ Inside were thick, boneless whole chicken thighs and rice cakes; at first, I honestly thought the chicken was some kind of pork cutlet haha.

Just cut it into easy-to-eat pieces with the scissors and tongs.

The chicken was boneless, so it was easy to eat, and the meat was incredibly tender. Overall, the tomato cheese waterfall boneless chicken thigh grill was moderately spicy, but because it is tomato-sauce based, it also had a slightly sweet-and-tangy flavor. There is cheese underneath too, giving it a rich, nutty taste~

There are also two long rice-cake skewers, and eaten like this, it kind of feels like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), haha.

Jjapagetti with green-onion kimchi

Jjapagetti with green-onion kimchi (₩11,000). This is one of Budan's best sides in Nampo-dong, Busan. Jjapagetti cooked by someone else, spicy and pungent green-onion kimchi, and rich Cheddar cheese—who would not like this?

At first glance, the portion looks so big that you wonder whether you can finish it, but once you start taking bites, it disappears in no time haha. It is a flavor everyone knows, but somehow it feels special when you eat it at Budan... It is also fresh and delicious with napa cabbage kimchi instead of green-onion kimchi.

Budan in Nampo-dong is great whenever you want a meal and drinks, or just a quick drink, because it has lots of tasty snacks. If you are looking for somewhere good to eat in Nampo-dong, Busan, I really, really recommend stopping by!