Ranking 3 signature dishes at a Haeundae Chinese restaurant: Bueokgan

Today I went for a drive along Dalmaji-gil with a friend and stopped by Bueokgan Chinese Haeundae Branch, a premium Chinese dining spot that's been getting buzz lately for its stylish space and inventive dishes.

To cut to the chase: Bueokgan Chinese Haeundae Branch is a Dalmaji-gil find worth revisiting — you walk in and gasp at the cozy, sophisticated European-style interior, and the food matches it, from the perfect harmony of tender pork belly and poached egg in the jjajangmyeon to the beautifully executed kkanpung shrimp with its subtle mala flavor that makes you want to eat even the batter.

I visited as part of a sponsored campaign and got to try the three signature dishes firsthand! Here's my honest taste comparison, some parking tips, and the atmosphere that had me impressed the whole time — no filter.

How do you get to Bueokgan Chinese Haeundae Branch, and where do you park?

Bueokgan Chinese Haeundae Branch is located at 200 Dalmaji-gil 117beon-na-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan, on the 1st floor. It's easy to find, in a standalone building that used to be Sansutang bathhouse.

• Detailed address: 200 Dalmaji-gil 117beon-na-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea, 1st floor (former Sansutang bathhouse building)
• Public transit: Subway Line 2 Jangsan Station Exit 9 / village buses Haeundae-gu 2 and Haeundae-gu 10 stop right in front of the store
• Parking: Curbside parking is available across from and right in front of the building, so I visited with zero of the usual Dalmaji-gil parking stress. (Underground parking behind the building is also available)
• Gatherings & convenience: Group seating for up to 30, baby chairs available, corkage-free for up to 3 bottles

1. "This is a Chinese restaurant?" — the interior that surprises you

I was genuinely surprised the moment I walked into Bueokgan Chinese Haeundae Branch — none of that typical red, bustling Chinese restaurant vibe here. It's 165㎡ (50-pyeong) filled with wood furniture and George Nelson bubble lamps.

A mood like a European furniture showroom

True to its concept of "a dining space opened by a Nordic couple in Shanghai," the sleek wood furniture and warm-textured interior give the illusion of stepping into a high-end furniture gallery.

The warmth of the George Nelson bubble lamps

The George Nelson bubble lamps hanging from the ceiling filled the whole space with a soft, gentle light, and I found myself completely immersed in the calm, cozy atmosphere the entire time.

Built for dates and group gatherings

At 165㎡, the tables are spaced generously apart and it's quiet and comfortable — perfect for a date with a partner, bringing your parents, or having an intimate conversation with people you care about.

2. What we ordered: the three signature dishes at a glance

I ordered the two signature noodle dishes plus the crispy kkanpung shrimp — poached egg five-layer pork jjajangmyeon (₩10.0), beef belly jjamppong (₩12.0), and kkanpung shrimp (₩28.0).

3. Honest taste test: my ranking of the three dishes

Taste satisfaction ranking Poached egg five-layer pork jjajangmyeon > kkanpung shrimp > beef belly jjamppong

🥇 1st: Poached-egg five-layer pork gan-jjajang (10.0) — juicy pork belly and a silky finish

The poached egg five-layer pork jjajangmyeon (jjajang: black bean sauce noodles) comes with a plump poached egg you pop and mix into the sauce, stir-fried jjajang sauce with a nice smoky char. Price: ₩10.0.

Tender meat texture — instead of dry, tough meat, the thick-cut pork belly was soft and moist, making every bite genuinely a pleasure to swallow.

Distinctly different noodles — noticeably springier and chewier than the delivery-style noodles you get at a typical Chinese restaurant, with the sauce clinging to them beautifully. I couldn't believe the level of quality for just ₩10,000.

🥈 2nd: Kkanpung shrimp (28.0) — gently mala, with batter you keep reaching for

The kkanpung shrimp (₩28.0) at Bueokgan Chinese Haeundae Branch is defined by its subtle mala-style seasoning. With most oily fried dishes, you tend to peel off some of the batter as you eat, but here I actually wanted to seek out more of the crispy coating.

Not the numbing, overwhelming kind of mala, but a gentle mala aroma that pleasantly wafts past your nose, thinly and evenly coating the crispy-outside, tender-inside batter.

The moment I took a bite, I couldn't help but think, "This is what real cooking looks like" — an excellent dish.

🥉 3rd: Beef belly jjamppong (12.0) — a broth balance that fell short

The beef belly jjamppong (₩12.0, spicy seafood noodle soup) came generously loaded with crisp vegetables and savory beef belly, and the noodles themselves were, as expected, excellent and springy.

That said, rather than the deep smoky, spicy-and-refreshing broth you typically expect from jjamppong, it had a slightly sweet nuance closer to tteokbokki sauce, which left something to be desired for my palate, since I was hoping for an authentically spicy version.

This style will suit people who prefer avoiding intense heat and like a sweeter, milder broth better.

💡 Tips for visiting Bueokgan Chinese Haeundae Branch

• Parking tip: Curbside parking is available right across from and in front of the store, making access very easy.
• Must-order combo: The 'poached egg five-layer pork jjajangmyeon' and the subtly mala 'kkanpung shrimp' combo is a no-brainer recommendation. Just these two dishes gave me a 200% return-visit intention.
• Atmosphere & corkage: It doesn't feel like a typical Chinese restaurant at all — the lighting and furniture create a great mood, and it's corkage-free for up to 3 bottles of wine, so I'd strongly recommend it for a special gathering or a date.

💖 Final verdict on Bueokgan Chinese in Haeundae

I was won over first by the soft George Nelson lighting and the stylish, furniture-showroom-like atmosphere, then completely fell for the tender poached egg jjajangmyeon and crispy kkanpung shrimp at Bueokgan Chinese Haeundae Branch!

If you're looking for a quiet, well-appointed date spot on Haeundae's Dalmaji-gil, or want to enjoy properly made premium Chinese cuisine, definitely stop by! 😊