Jeonpo bar in Busan with pork jowl steak and soju: Dorandoran

If you've got plans in Seomyeon or Jeonpo, Busan, and are looking for a bar with great vibes, let me introduce Dorandoran, a Jeonpo bar-food spot worth the trip.

Dorandoran hours, closing day and parking

• 📍 Address: 2nd floor, 38-1 Seojeon-ro 58beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan, South Korea
• 🕔 Hours: 17:00–1:00 (next day) / Closed every Monday
• 🅿️ Parking: Not available

Where Dorandoran is in Jeonpo, and what the room feels like

Located near the Jeonpo-dong café street, Dorandoran is on the 2nd floor of a building at 38-1 Seojeon-ro 58beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan. It's tucked into an alley, but the sign stands out enough that it wasn't hard to find.

Even the poster on the stairwell had a certain mood, so my expectations for the interior went way up!

I can't resist a photo zone haha. Looks like a great spot for group shots with friends too.

There were two of us, so we took a two-person table.

The AC was blasting and there was even a fan going, so it was really cool inside.

The overall interior was clean but hip, and the low lighting made it feel cozy. The tables were spaced generously and the seating was arranged well, so it was easy to talk. It seemed like a great place for dates, or for friends gathering for a birthday party or a small get-together. The staff were genuinely kind from the moment we walked in until we left.

Dorandoran menu and prices

True to its reputation as a great bar-food spot, there were so many tempting dishes that I really agonized over it. The signature menu is listed as woo-samgyeop & dak-bulgogi (beef brisket & spicy chicken) / dak-gogi jeongol (chicken hot pot) / pork jowl steak. The drink selection is varied too, and if you leave a review you get a free ice cream or highball, so give it a try!

What two people ordered, and how it tasted

Pork jowl steak 24,000 won / Hangover beef-bone pasta 17,000 won / Soju 5,000 won x3

We ordered the pork jowl steak, one of the signature dishes, and figured we'd want something with broth too, so we got the spicy hangover beef-bone pasta. We wanted the chicken hot pot too but held back since we had a second stop planned haha. And of course, soju was a must.

I'm not sure what the basic side dish was, but it was salty enough that I kept reaching for it haha.

Hangover beef-bone pasta, 17,000 won

The hangover beef-bone pasta came out first — pasta made with a beef-bone broth base — and from the first bite it had a spicy, deep savory flavor. The rich beef-bone taste combined with the spiciness made it feel like I was drinking and curing a hangover at the same time. The noodles soaked up the broth well and the broth itself was pretty juicy, so I'd strongly recommend this to anyone who prefers a soupy side dish. There's clearly a reason it gets rave reviews. There was also a decent amount of noodles, so it worked great as both a bar snack and a meal for our first stop!

Pork jowl steak, 24,000 won

After a bite of the pasta, the pork jowl steak came out next.

The pork jowl steak I'd been looking forward to was every bit as good as I hoped. The meat was cooked crisp outside and juicy inside, keeping that distinctive savory fattiness and chewy texture of pork jowl without being greasy at all. The wasabi and mashed potato sides went well with it, but the sauce itself was the real kick — I kept marveling at it the whole time. Made me wonder if this is what Chef Choi Kang-rok's braised pork jowl tastes like?! It would also make a great side dish with rice, I think 😋

Is Dorandoran worth a visit in Jeonpo?

Dorandoran is a Jeonpo bar that doesn't fall short on atmosphere, tasty bar food, or friendliness. It's a great Jeonpo bar-food spot for chatting away over drinks with a date or friends 😊