Category: Cafes & Restaurants

You can’t complete your Busan trip without trying these desserts. They are not only tasty, but also Instagrammable.

1. 호랑이 젤라떡 (Tiger Gela Rice Cake)

I remember people standing in line during the winter to try “호랑이 젤라떡,” and I never understood why people wanted ice cream in the winter. Now I get it.

호랑이 젤라떡 literally translates to Tiger Gela Rice Cake. As you may guess by its name, they serve rice cakes with Italian gelato inside.

Many visitors take photos of their desserts, one with the tiger mascot in the background and the other with the ocean.

In Korean supermarkets, you can find the ice cream called “찰떡 아이스 (Rice Cake Ice).” This Tiger Gela Rice Cake is similar to that, but WAY BETTER.

You can choose between organic Jeju malcha, cherry, coffee cinnamon, roasted pistachio and Haeundae salt & milk flavors.

Hours of operation: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm (Daily except for Tuesday)

5:00 pm – 6:10 pm Break Time

Where: Dalmaji-gil 62, 38, Busan

Directions: The store is located at Mipo, which is the end of Haeundae Beach. If you don’t mind walking, I would recommend traveling from the Haeundae subway station.

2. 시노베 (Synnove)

If you are visiting Busan as a tourist, then you will probably be spending a lot of time in Haeundae. While you’re here, don’t forget to visit Synnove where you can try a brown cheese waffle.

I admit, there are not many types of cheese available in Korea. We didn’t even know about brown cheese until recently when Synnove went viral.

The CEO, Eom Jeonmi not only imported the Norwegian brown cheese, but also created the popular brown cheese waffle.

Hours of operation: 11:00 am – 8:00 pm daily

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Break Time

Where: 35 Gunam-ro, 29 beon-gil, Haeundae, Busan

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As the cherry blossoms will soon be in full bloom, many may wonder where to go to get a better glimpse of the scene. Some may recommend Damaji, while others may suggest the street of Samik Beach Apartment near the Gwangalli Beach.

My recommendation is Oncheoncheon. This is located along the Oncheon Stream that runs through the city. In this area, there is a track lined with beautiful cherry blossoms. There is also a strip called “온천천 카페거리,” which can be translated to “Oncheoncheon Café Strip.” While you eat there, you can enjoy the view of cherry blossoms and their petals falling.

Here are the lists of restaurants and cafes to check out!

• Lessai

Lessai is one of the cafes located in the Oncheoncheon café strip. It’s a small, but cozy two story café. If you get a table on the 2^nd floor, it may feel like you are in a sea of cherry blossom. Don’t forget to order a piece of cake here at Lessai!

• Bubbas

Bubbas is well-known for its brunch menu. There is a variety of dishes to choose from, from salad, to pasta, to pizza. Of course, you get a view of cherry blossoms.

• Café Odaldang

This is also a small but cozy two story café. During cherry blossom season, the café is crowded with people who want to get a seat on the 2^nd floor.

• Café Onu

This is also a small but cozy two story café. The view of the cherry blossoms from the 2^nd floor is just unbeatable.

• Musee Cabanon

Musee Cabanon is one of the few cafes that has their own parking lot. This three story building has a café located on the top floor. During the spring time, they have a special “Spring Natural Wine Promotion Menu” that features a sandwich with a wine of your choice. If the weather is good, I would recommend eating on the terrace. But keep in mind that you are not allowed to switch tables after being seated. They also have a no-kid policy.  

How to Get to the Oncheocheon Stream

If you would like to visit the Oncheoncheon Stream area, I recommend taking subway line 1. Get off at the Busan University of Education Subway station and take exit 6. Oncheoncheon is about 900 meters away from the subway station. From there, it takes about 15 minutes to get to Oncheoncheon.

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1. Restaurant Cielo, Rooftop

The restaurant Cielo is located on the 26^th floor of the Youngmu Parade Hotel. This is a pet-friendly hotel in Haeundae with a four star rating and they understand that your pet is a part of your family, too. Restaurant Cielo offers a special menu for dogs, which includes beef tenderloin steaks.

Where: Haeundae Haebyun-ro 298 gil – 25, Haeundae-gu District

Hours of operation: 7 am – 10 pm daily

 (7 am – 10 am breakfast / 12:00 pm – 10:00 lunch/dinner) 

Pricing: around $20 per plate

2. Kangaroo Point

This is a famous Aussie restaurant in Busan, so you know the food will be top-notch. If you are a foodie and looking for a dog-friendly restaurant, this place should be on your list. 

Where: The Sharp Haeundae Adelis 111, Marine City 3-ro, 51

Hours of operation: 9 am to 10 pm daily/ 3 pm to 5 pm break 

Pricing: around $15 – $30 per plate

3. Gudeokpo Kkutzip Gogi

As the name suggests (if you understand Korean), this restaurant is located at the end of Songjeong Beach, in the “Gudeokpo” area. It is a little difficult to get here by public transport, but the view is just unbeatable. The good thing about this restaurant is that it’s pet-friendly. You are more than welcome to take your puppies with you to lunch or dinner.

4.Portana

Famous for its savory pizza, Portana also sells burgers and fried chicken. Bring your fur baby with you as they are more than welcome on the 2nd floor – just be sure to put them in a diaper. If you don’t have one, you can buy one for 1,000 won.

5. Hasuk-zip

Hasuk-zip is a pork-belly BBQ place located in the Centum area. The interior of the restaurant resembles Korean schools from back in the 70s, decorated with blackboards and metal tables.

As there are many offices in the Centum area, the restaurant is normally the busiest on the weeknights. There are three pet-friendly Hasuk-zip branches in Centum, each with outdoor seating.

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Krispy Kreme is nothing new in Korea, but the Yeonsan branch in Busan has become the talk of the town. At this location, customers can watch as the doughnuts are being made, it’s like being in a “doughnut theater.”

It is becoming a popular attraction with visitors coming to see the action. Visitors can watch their doughnuts being made until around 12 pm each day.

Location: Bansong-ro 32, Yeonje-gu, Busan

• It’s about a 10-minute walk from the exit 12 at the Yeonsan subway station.

Hours of operation: 8 am to 11 pm through Sunday to Thursday / 8 am to 12 am on Friday and Saturday

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Is it just me or does coffee taste better with a good view? Here are five cafes with an amazing view in Busan. 

1. 오후의 홍차

The first is “오후의 홍차,” meaning “Black Tea in the afternoon.” This café is located near the walking trail in Millak-dong. You order your drink on the 4^th floor before heading to the 5^th floor to sit. From the 5^th floor, you can easily to Centum City and the Suyeong River. (Note that kids are not allowed on the 5^th floor)

Location: 4th floor Millak Road, Suyeong-gu (You can walk there from the Millak Subway Station.)

Hours of operation: 10:30 am to 11:00 pm daily

2. Life Coffee and Tea

Next is Life Coffee and Tea which is located on Dalmaji Hill in the Haeundae area. Here there is rooftop seating where you can enjoy your coffee in the clouds. You can see most of the eastern parts of Busan, including Haeundae and Gwangalli. 

Location: Dalmaji-gil 65, 167, Haeundae

Hours of operation: 11 am to 7 pm daily

3. Casa Busano

Casa Busano is located on the main road facing Gwangalli Beach. Though it is situated on the ground floor in the Gwangalli area, the view is beautiful, especially at night. They are open from 8:30 am until 3:00 am. Their signature drink is “Shakerato.” Alcohol and cigars are also available. 

Location: Gwangan Haebyeon-ro 179

Hours of operation: 8:30 am to 12:30 am through Sunday to Thursday / 8:30 am to 3:am on Friday and Saturday

4. Shingiyeoul
Next on the list is “Shingiyeoul (신기여울)” in Huinnyeoul Cultural Village. It has a view of Songdo Beach and the Songdo cable car. I loved this place because it had two hour parking available.

Location: Jeolyeong-ro 202, Yeongdo

Hours of operation: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm through Monday to Friday / 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on weekend

5. Angel in Us
Finally, Angel in Us café is located on the 2^nd floor of the Adelis Building in Marine City. The view is just unbeatable.

Location: 2nd Floor of the Sharp Adelis Apartment Complex in Marine City, Haeundae

Hours of operation: 8:00 am to 11 pm daily

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I read an article once that said that two people who eat Samgyeopsal on their first date have a higher chance of there being more chemistry between them. Some say that grilling the meat can help break the ice and calm first-date nerves.

I don’t know how accurate that is, but you can never go wrong with Samgyeopsal! So, don’t leave Busan without trying Samgyeopsal.

If you are looking for good Samgyeopsal restaurants in the Haeundae area, keep scrolling!

1. An-Ga (안가)

Anga is so popular that it was even recognized by CNN as one of the best BBQ restaurants in Busan! No wonder this place is always crowded with non-Koreans.

The most popular dishes are 가로막살 and 황제살. 가로막살 is a galbi style meat coated in a sweet soy sauce. 황제살 is a different part of pork that tastes like Samgyeosal.

The restaurant serves side dishes (banchan), veggies, and seaweed soup for free.

After you finish your meat, you can choose either rice with Deonjang Stew (된장찌게) or Naengmyeon (cold noodle).

First, the waiter will cook your meat for you, but later you must grill the meat by yourself.

Dinner is only available in Anga, from 5 pm to midnight (except on Monday).

The restaurant is only about a 3 to 5-minute walk from the Jungdong subway station.

If you plan on driving there, know that there are only two parking spots available on the property. You could also park either at the Emart or the Rodeo Outlet nearby.

2. Undaedon (운대돈)

Jeju Island in Korea is well-known for its pork, and Undaedon serves the best Jeju pork.

The interior of the restaurant is very Jeju-ish, decorated with ocean and volcanic stones.

Undaedon is a little different compared to other Samgyeolsal restaurants when it comes to receiving your order. There you are supposed to order 300 grams of food at a time. 300 grams (aka 반근 “half geun”) serves 2-3 people and 600 grams feeds 4-5 people.

Unfortunately, if you and your friends want 100 more grams of food after finishing the 반근 (300 grams), you can’t just order 100 more grams for the table. Instead, you must order another 300 grams (36,000 won) of food.

When you finish your meat, I suggest ordering a bowl of rice with Deonjang Stew.

Undaedon’s Deonjang Stew contains a lot of seafood (shrimp, warty sea squirt, and clam).

Undaedon is open from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm every day. They accept orders until 9:30 pm. It is located on the first floor of the Aratrium building in Marine City.

3. Madangsoi (마당쇠)

This Samgyeopsal place is also located on the first floor of the World Mark building in Marine City.

Their Samgyeopsal starts at 12,500 won per 130 grams.

Here, the waitress cooks your meat on a grill right in front of you. All you need to do is just eat and relax.

In many restaurants in Korea, you can order just a bowl of rice, right? Well, at Madangsoi, when you order your meat, you are supposed to order rice with an even number. This is because the rice cookers are lined up at the entrance of the restaurant and as soon as your order is made, they cook the rice. By the time you finish your meat, the rice is ready! Parking is available at the World Mark building.

4. Obanjang (오반장)

Obanjang has a special grill that cooks 계란찜 (steamed egg) while you cook your own meat.

Your first steamed egg is on the house, but if you want to order more, they cost 1,000 won. This restaurant is super popular, and many celebrities have given it a try too. Some of their autographs are displayed on the walls of the restaurant.

Obanjang has both a beef and pork menu. Depending on the type of meat you order, they will give you a specific grill. Obangang is located next to the Industrie Hotel in the Gunam-ro strip.

5. Gudeokpo Kkut-zip gogi (구덕포 끝집 고기)

Among the Samgyeolsal places that I’ve recommended, this one might be the most touristy. As the name suggests (if you understand Korean), this restaurant is located at the end of Songjeong beach, in the “Gudeokpo” area.

It is difficult to get here by public transport, but the view is just unbeatable. Another good thing about this restaurant is that its pet friendly. You are more than welcome to take your puppies with you to dinner.

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