8 Best Restaurants in Busan, South Korea

This booming barbecue joint near Kyungsung and Pukyong universities offers amazing bang for your buck. The restaurant specializes in thick cuts of water-aged samgyeopsal (pork belly) at low prices. It's no wonder they're always slammed. 

Situated on a back street in an old house, this hip, cozy space not only serves up a friendly atmosphere, but also the best vegan food in town. There is also a terrific selection of wine, beer, and cocktails, as well as live music on Saturday nights. Home is the place to go for a very unique experience in Haeundae, and the English-speaking staff is as friendly as it gets.

Housed in a hanok (traditional house) and tucked off the street by a short path lined with Korean pottery, Jeonglim is where Korean ladies lunch. While not completely vegetarian, the restaurant does specialize in vegetable dishes. The dolsotbap (rice dish in a hot stone pot) is prepared with locally grown, organic vegetable and is the perfect antidote for last night's heavy Korean barbeques. The meals start with a warm juk (rice porridge) flavored with pumpkin and is followed by what feels like an endless parade of small plates, like immaculately presented pickles and one-bite pajeons (pancake-like dish). The location can be a little difficult to find, so it is best to catch a taxi from nearby Dongnae station.

Slip into any one of La Bella Citta's three dining areas or the outdoor grotto dotted with fairy lights and you'll quickly realize that it's not just the excellent food that draws in the well-dressed couples, expats, and family. These spaces have been designed to feel miles from the busy stretch of bars just meters away, along the bustling Gwangan beach. The art spaces on the second floor house the most sumptuous dining areas and give lots of privacy. The creamy pasta carbonara is served perfectly al dente and margarita pizza was a standout.

The Gwangalli branch of this popular barbecue chain sits a stone's throw from the beach and is always hopping. Seorae promises 500g (1.1 pounds) galmaegisal (pork skirt meat) for prices starting at ₩15,000, guaranteeing a steady crowd of young locals. The attentive staff will keep the meat sizzling at your tabletop grill, and as a bonus, most of them speak English.

This delightful little brewery serves German-style beers and Euro-food favorites such as wurst, goulash, and schnitzel, bringing a nice taste of Deutchsland to the beach of Busan.

This Busan institution is one of the best places in town to satisfy your craving for samgyetang (chicken ginseng soup). The broth is so clean tasting that it's almost medicinal, and the whole rice-stuffed chicken in your bowl is fall-off-the-bone tender. Woosung Samgyetang is located on a side street in the Suyeong neighborhood, just one subway stop away from Gwangalli. Be prepared to wait.

This chain is the go-to for dalk galbi (marinated boneless chicken), an often spicy stir-fried dish that seems to always hit the spot. Make sure to add rice and cheese to really elevate your meal into next-level goodness.