Songjeong Beach Korean restaurant, dinner after surfing: Songjeongok

I came to Songjeong Beach for a surf session after a while, and afterward I really craved Korean food — so I headed to Songjeongok, a famous pot rice spot in Songjeong! Why does swimming always make me crave Korean food?! 🫧

Songjeongok is a clean, spacious, comfortable restaurant with proper home-style Korean cooking, so it'd be totally fine to bring your parents along. Here's my review after eating the abalone pot rice at Songjeongok!

Where is Songjeongok in Songjeong, and its hours and parking

• 📍Location: 54-1 Songjeonggwanghogol-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, 1st-2nd floor
• ⏰Hours: Daily 11:00-22:00 (weekday break 15:00-17:00, no break on weekends)
• 🅿️Parking: Free under the building (3 spots)
• 💰Payment: Local currency accepted
• ✅Naver Reservation available

Weekend dinner at 7pm: first floor full, window seat on the second floor

Songjeongok is a hanok-style building that really stands out in Songjeong. Honestly, as someone who visits Songjeong often, I'd walk past this building every time and think I should come in someday — and I finally did. The hanok look caught my eye even before I stepped inside.

There are about 3 parking spots in front of the restaurant, so I parked and went in. I'd been surfing my heart out at Songjeong, so I think I arrived around 7pm.

Maybe because it was a weekend visit, the first floor was completely full, so we were led upstairs to the second floor! The second floor was quieter and more comfortable than downstairs, with lots of families dining. There was plenty of space, so it'd be great for groups too. We sat at the window seat we were shown to and looked over the menu.

Songjeongok menu and prices

• Abalone pot rice hinoki seafood set: ₩23,000
• Abalone pot rice set: ₩19,000
• Add octopus: ₩20,000

The menu had abalone pot rice hinoki seafood, abalone pot rice, and boiled octopus. After some thought, we ordered the basic abalone pot rice set for two!

They also had house-made makgeolli (rice wine) on the drinks menu, but since I'd driven, I passed on it. Next time I'll try the makgeolli that's only available at Songjeongok!

What comes with the 19,000 won abalone pot rice set for two?

As soon as we sat down, they started setting the table, and our order came out quickly. We were hungry from swimming, so seeing a table full of food instantly lifted our mood. Gabri bossam, stir-fried squid with pork, salad, tofu kimchi, cockle salad, seasoned crab, various kimchis, lettuce wraps, and doenjang (soybean paste) — such a generous spread, right?

The boiled pork was cooked soft and tender, and every single side dish felt made with care — my friend who came with me loved it too.

How the abalone pot rice tastes, and turning the leftover rice into nurungji tea

While we were busy eating the side dishes and pork that came out first, the abalone pot rice arrived. I'm the one who came here for this. It was piping hot, and I mixed the abalone on top and the innards sauce right into the rice. Then I ate the leftover rice like ochazuke, soaked in the warm rice water (sungnyung) they gave us.

See how fluffy the rice looks? Even looking back now, I want to eat this pot rice again. Scrambled egg, chopped scallion, radish sprouts, abalone, and innards sauce all came together so well. And the crab sauce was honestly the kicker. I really love pot rice and go out of my way to find good ones, and this was one of the most satisfying places I've been to recently, both in taste and in what came with it.

Best side dishes at Songjeongok: stir-fried squid with pork and seasoned cockles

Songjeongok has quite a variety of side dishes, right? The stir-fried squid with pork and the cockle salad here were genuinely delicious. Everything came out neatly plated and looked so pretty that I got caught up taking photos and ended up scarfing it all down in a hurry. The side dish lineup is varied enough that older family members would love it too.

Why Songjeongok is worth it after a day at Songjeong Beach

They say Songjeongok's abalone pot rice and seafood are made with ingredients sourced fresh every morning and rice that's milled on-site. The restaurant also uses a named-ingredient system marking the date the seafood came in, which makes it feel even more trustworthy.

If you're craving a proper Korean meal after Songjeong Beach, I'd recommend Songjeongok. It's a great spot for family gatherings too, so I think I'll be back. If any of you are visiting Songjeong Beach, definitely check it out~!!