What to Eat in Busan: Local dot Picks – Part 2

Still hungry?

In Part 1, we explored everything from tonkatsu and Pyeongyang naengmyeon to omakase and okonomiyaki.

For Part 2, we’re going a little more local.

This time, expect handmade noodles, sizzling shellfish by the sea, grilled beef intestines, spicy nak-gop-sae, and Korean-style grilled pork.

These are the kinds of meals that are even better when shared around a table.

Here are five more Local dot picks in Busan.

1. 30-Year Traditional Handmade Jjajangmyeon

30년전통 수타손짜장

For handmade noodles and a Korean-Chinese classic

Jjajangmyeon is one of Korea’s most beloved comfort foods.

The dish consists of noodles covered in a thick black bean sauce, usually cooked with pork and vegetables.

But what makes this place particularly fun is the handmade noodles.

Rather than factory-made noodles, the dough is stretched and pulled by hand, giving the noodles their satisfyingly chewy texture.

Jjajangmyeon technically comes from Korean-Chinese cuisine, but it has become such a familiar part of everyday Korean food culture that it feels entirely at home here.

Mix the sauce thoroughly into the noodles before eating.

And don’t worry about eating elegantly—jjajangmyeon can get messy.

That’s part of the experience.

2. Ddungbone Shellfish BBQ at Amnam Park

암남공원 뚱보네 조개구이

For grilled shellfish by the sea

This is the Busan experience we want when seafood is involved.

At Amnam Park, you’ll find places serving jogae-gui, or Korean-style grilled shellfish.

The shellfish arrives at your table and is cooked right in front of you over the grill.

It’s hot, messy, and meant to be shared.

Rather than ordering an individual plate and eating quietly, everyone gathers around the grill, waits for the shells to open, and shares different kinds of seafood as they cook.

At Ddungbone, order a selection of shellfish and take your time.

And if you drink, this is exactly the kind of meal that goes well with a cold beer or a glass of soju.

Local dot tip: Don’t rush this meal. Grilled shellfish is as much about sitting around the table together as it is about the food.

3. Honggane Yang Gopchang

홍가네양곱창

For a true Korean night-out meal

If you’re ready to go beyond Korean BBQ, try yang-gopchang.

Yang refers to part of the beef stomach, while gopchang refers to small intestines. They’re grilled until beautifully browned on the outside while remaining rich and chewy inside.

It might sound adventurous if you’ve never eaten intestines before, but gopchang is a hugely popular food in Korea—especially with drinks.

This is not a delicate meal.

The grill is hot, the flavors are rich, and the table gets busy.

Which is exactly how it should be.

Order a drink, grill slowly, and enjoy the atmosphere.

Local dot tip: If it’s your first time trying gopchang, go with friends and order a mix to share.

4. Gaemijip

개미집

For Busan’s famous nak-gop-sae

Here’s one dish that really does belong on a Busan food list.

Nak-gop-sae (낙곱새) combines three ingredients:

Nakji — octopus
Gopchang — beef intestines
Saeu — shrimp

Put the first syllables together and you get nak-gop-sae.

The ingredients are cooked together in a spicy sauce, creating a rich, slightly fiery dish that’s made to be eaten with rice.

Spoon some of the mixture over a bowl of hot rice and mix everything together.

And once most of it is gone, don’t assume the meal is finished.

If fried rice is available, that’s your final round.

Local dot tip: If you want to try one dish from this list that feels particularly connected to Busan, make it nak-gop-sae.

5. Kkulkkul Dwitgogi

꿀꿀뒷고기

For Korean BBQ without the fancy extras

You’ve probably heard of samgyeopsal.

But how about dwitgogi?

Dwitgogi loosely refers to various cuts of pork that historically weren’t categorized as the standard premium cuts. Today, they’re appreciated for their texture, flavor, and casual, no-frills appeal.

At Kkulkkul Dwitgogi, this is the kind of meal to enjoy Korean BBQ style: meat sizzling on the grill, side dishes covering the table, and everyone sharing.

Wrap the pork in lettuce, add garlic and ssamjang, and eat the whole thing in one bite.

This isn’t fancy dining.

It doesn’t need to be.

Local dot tip: Come with friends, order several portions for the table, and eat it the Korean way—straight from the grill.

Eat Busan Beyond the Famous Dishes

Busan’s food scene goes far beyond a checklist of famous specialties.

Sometimes the best meal is handmade jjajangmyeon at an unassuming restaurant.

Sometimes it’s sitting beside a grill full of shellfish near the sea.

And sometimes it’s a table covered with gopchang, pork, bottles of soju, and far too many side dishes.

Part 1 was about variety.

Part 2 is about getting a little closer to how locals actually eat.