Kkanpung shrimp and pork belly mapo tofu at Haeundae Chinese: Bueokgan

Looking for a Chinese restaurant with a great atmosphere near Dongbaekseom or Marine City in Haeundae? If you want proper Chinese food in a stylish, slightly exotic space instead of the usual corner Chinese joint vibe, Bueokgan Chinese Marine City Branch (부엌간 차이니즈 마린시티점) is exactly the spot — I went and checked it out!

Where is Bueokgan Chinese Marine City Branch, and what is the room like?

Bueokgan Chinese Marine City Branch is on the 2nd floor of The Sharp Adelis building, across from the Hanwha Resort. The entrance is the door between Suybeon Pork Gukbap and Pungwonjang Miyeokguk. There's also a dedicated elevator, which makes it easy to find.

From the entrance, it doesn't feel like a typical Chinese restaurant at all. The interior is clean and sleek with soft lighting — my first thought was honestly "wait, is this really a Chinese restaurant?"

Why the window ocean-view seats need a reservation

The window seats have a wide-open ocean view, so you can look at the sea the entire meal. It's a great spot for dates, gatherings, or family meals alike. Groups of 5 or more should use the inner hall or a private room, and I'd recommend reserving the window seats ahead of time.

What we ordered: kkanpung shrimp, poached-egg ganjajang, mapo tofu rice bowl

That day we ordered kkanpung shrimp, poached-egg oyeopgyeol ganjajang, and a mapo tofu rice bowl. The portions were quite generous — a good combo for 2–3 people to eat until full. FYI, there's also a weekday lunch set that's good value.

How the three dishes tasted

Kkanpung shrimp: crispy even after it cooled

Starting with the kkanpung shrimp. The shrimp are fried thin and crispy, evenly coated in kkanpung sauce. The spicy-sweet-and-sour aroma hits first, and with each bite the shrimp meat is springy while the batter shatters crisply.

The fried peppers, peanuts, and onion on top aren't just garnish either. The peppers aren't just spicy — they have a subtle sweetness, and eating them together makes the dish even better. The crispiness held up all the way through, so it wasn't disappointing even after it cooled down.

Poached-egg oyeopgyeol ganjajang

This is Bueokgan's signature dish, so I ordered it with high expectations, and it delivered. The onion and pork are cut in large pieces and stir-fried quickly, so the smoky wok flavor really comes through. It's much richer and more savory than typical jjajang.

Popping the poached egg on top and mixing everything together, the savory yolk pairs beautifully with the ganjajang. The noodles are chewy too, and the portion is generous enough that finishing it alone would be a bit much. It's the kind of flavor that keeps coming to mind whenever you crave Chinese food.

Mapo tofu rice bowl with thick pork belly

The mapo tofu rice bowl was also impressive. Instead of the usual ground-meat mapo tofu, it's made with thick-cut pork belly, which gives it a much better texture. The tofu and pork belly are well soaked in the sauce, and the spicy seasoning cuts through the richness nicely.

Mixing the mapo tofu, ladled generously over the rice, makes for a filling meal — and the leftover sauce is addictive enough that you'll want to mix it into the rice one more time. It's a great pick when you're in the mood for rice.

Verdict: would we go back to Bueokgan Chinese?

Bueokgan Chinese Marine City Branch is a step above what you'd normally call a "Chinese restaurant" in atmosphere and execution. The biggest draw is being able to enjoy proper Chinese food in a stylish space while looking out at the ocean.

If you're looking for a Chinese restaurant with a great atmosphere near Haeundae or Dongbaekseom, this is worth a visit. Walking around Dongbaekseom or along the Marine City breakwater afterward, with views of Gwangan Bridge, makes for a solid date course too. Next time I'd love to try the sweet and sour pork and the beef brisket jjamppong.