Gwangalli pot rice restaurant before the drone show: Solsot Gwangalli

On the day I went to see the Gwangalli drone show, I stopped by Solsot Gwangalli around 5pm before the show to get a hearty dinner in first.

I planned to eat a bit early and then head to the beach, and since it's close to Gwangalli Beach, the flow worked out really well. Getting a warm pot rice meal here made it a good spot for anyone looking for a solid Gwangalli lunch place too.

Where is Solsot Gwangalli? Location, hours and parking

• 📍 Location: 78 Gwangnam-ro, 1st floor, Suyeong-gu, Busan, South Korea
• ⏰ Hours: Daily 11:00–21:00 / Last order 20:30
• 🚗 Parking: No dedicated lot / use nearby paid parking
• 🚻 Restroom: Inside the building to the right, outside the restaurant / key required

Why an early 5pm dinner before the Gwangalli drone show works

We visited around 5pm for a slightly early dinner.

The interior was done in warm wood tones, feeling cozy yet tidy, and each table had a tablet so it was easy to browse the menu.

Since it's close to Gwangalli Beach, it's a great spot to follow up dinner with a stroll along the beach or the drone show — good for a date, but also as a Busan Gwangalli restaurant to visit with family.

What's on the menu: the pot rice line-up at Solsot Gwangalli

Solsot has quite a variety of pot rice dishes, so it's fun picking one to suit your taste. You order first via the tablet at the table and pay after you eat.

✔️ What we ordered that day

• Boneless hairtail pot rice ₩17,900
• NEW lobster shrimp pot rice ₩17,900
• Extra pot rice ₩2,000 - plain white rice for the kid
• Yurinji ₩8,500

Our child tends to insist on plain white rice over seasoned rice, so we ordered a separate pot rice for an extra ₩2,000. That's a good tip to keep in mind if you're visiting with kids. 😊

Boneless hairtail vs. lobster shrimp pot rice: how they taste

When we opened the lid on the boneless hairtail pot rice, it was piled generously with hairtail — looked really appetizing.

The hairtail flesh wasn't dry at all; it broke apart moist and tender with a savory flavor that paired well with the rice. The seasoning wasn't too strong either, so my spoon kept going back for more.

Wrapping the warm rice and hairtail in the seaweed that comes with it was the best part! The salty, savory flavor of the seaweed added to it made this combo really tasty for me.

The newly released lobster shrimp pot rice was satisfying too. It's made with lobster shrimp stir-fried in abalone innard sauce, fresh spinach, and cheese — mixing the rice through evenly really brought out the savory flavor.

Biting into a plump shrimp, you first get that firm, bouncy texture, then the rich, savory taste of the abalone innard sauce and cheese seeps subtly into the rice grains. Even with all these rich ingredients, neither pot rice felt greasy or overwhelming — both were pleasantly light.

One bite plain, one with sauce, then nurungji to finish

Each pot rice comes with its own matching soy sauce or gochujang (red chili paste) sauce on the side.

Rather than mixing in the sauce from the start, I'd recommend scooping some rice into your own bowl and trying it plain first, then adding sauce little by little. Even the same pot rice tastes different once you add the sauce.

I also noticed some powder sitting on the table and wondered what it was — turned out to be nurungji (scorched rice) powder haha. After scooping the rice out of the pot into your bowl, you add about 3 spoonfuls of nurungji powder into the pot, pour in broth, and close the lid — by the time you finish eating, you get warm nurungji to enjoy.

What was unusual is that Solsot doesn't use water at all — it cooks the rice in broth instead! Thanks to that, the rice itself had a subtle savoriness that I really liked. That said, the final nurungji also carried the broth flavor rather than the familiar plain-water sungnyung (scorched rice tea) taste, so personally it made me miss the taste of the original sungnyung a little. This might come down to personal preference. 😊

Was pot rice plus spicy yurinji enough for the family?

We also ordered the yurinji as a side for ₩8,500, and I'm glad we did.

The chicken was fried crispy on the outside with a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce soaked in moist — one bite and your appetite really wakes up. The crispy coating and tender chicken texture worked well together, and picking off a piece of the spicy yurinji between bites of the mild pot rice made for a great combo.

At the time of our visit, there was also an event running where you could get a drink or a small yurinji by writing a Naver receipt review. We didn't get ours through the event — we ordered the yurinji ourselves and enjoyed it — but since it was a dish we really liked, if you visit, make sure to check out the receipt review event too. 😊

Visiting at 5pm before the Gwangalli drone show let us have a relaxed dinner, and filling up on a warm pot rice meal made it easy to head straight to the beach afterward.

The boneless hairtail pot rice was moist and light, while the new lobster shrimp pot rice let you enjoy plump shrimp and rich flavor — each had its own distinct charm.

If you're looking for a solid Gwangalli lunch spot, a Busan Gwangalli restaurant to visit with kids, or just want mild, non-spicy Korean food, consider Solsot Gwangalli. With its clean atmosphere and beachside location, it's also worth a stop when hunting for a local favorite in Gwangalli.

Info tip: Solsot Gwangalli has no dedicated parking lot, so if you're driving, it's more convenient to check nearby paid parking beforehand. Being close to Gwangalli Beach, it's a great spot to follow dinner with a walk or the drone show.