What to eat in Busan now
Korea’s great port city. Known for raw fish at Jagalchi Market, grilled hagfish, pufferfish soup and Gijang anchovies in spring.
Korea’s South Sea and East Sea, with Jagalchi Market and the fishing port of Gijang
Open UmamiHop →Today's picks for where you are, a help card to show the chef, and a menu translator. Free to use.In season in October
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Kkomjangeo gui (spicy grilled hagfish)
A Busan market and street-tent classic: hagfish grilled with chili sauce on a hot plate or charcoal, enjoyed with soju. A salt-grilled version is also common.
- Season
- All year
- Best
- Oct – Nov
- Where
- Jagalchi Market and Gijang
Show the staff: 꼼장어구이
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Galchi (braised or grilled cutlassfish)
Long silver fish braised with radish in chili sauce, or simply salt-grilled. A staple at Jagalchi’s eateries.
- Season
- Jul – Nov
- Best
- Sep – Oct
- Where
- Jagalchi Market
Show the staff: 갈치조림·갈치구이
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Godeungeo gui (salt-grilled mackerel)
Mackerel is Busan’s official city fish. Fatty autumn–winter mackerel, salt-grilled and eaten with rice.
- Season
- Sep – Feb
- Best
- Oct – Dec
Show the staff: 고등어구이
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Raw fish at Jagalchi Market (rockfish, flounder)
Korea’s biggest fish market. Choose a fish downstairs and have it served upstairs as sashimi, then as spicy fish soup (maeuntang).
- Season
- All year
- Best
- Nov – Feb
- Where
- Jagalchi Market (Nampo-dong)
Show the staff: 자갈치시장 회(우럭·광어)
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Bokguk (pufferfish soup)
A clear soup of pufferfish and bean sprouts, said to cure hangovers — many locals eat it for breakfast. Prepared by licensed cooks.
- Season
- All year
- Best
- Dec – Feb
- Where
- Haeundae
Show the staff: 복국
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Jogae gui (grilled shellfish)
Scallops and other big shellfish grilled at your table in seaside restaurants. Korean style often adds cheese and corn on top.
- Season
- All year
- Best
- Dec – Feb
- Where
- Cheongsapo and Haeundae
Show the staff: 조개구이
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Jeonbokjuk (abalone rice porridge)
Rice porridge cooked with abalone and its liver, which turns it pale green. Gentle and comforting — good for breakfast.
- Season
- All year
- Best
- Jun – Aug
- Where
- Yeongdo and near Haedong Yonggungsa temple
Show the staff: 전복죽
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Busan eomuk (fish cakes)
Busan is the home of Korean fish cakes. Skewered and simmered in hot broth, eaten standing at street stalls — the broth is usually free.
- Season
- All year
- Best
- Nov – Feb
Show the staff: 부산 어묵
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Milmyeon (Busan wheat cold noodles)
Cold wheat noodles born in Busan, served in icy broth (mul) or with spicy sauce (bibim). A summer favorite.
- Season
- All year
- Best
- Jun – Aug
Show the staff: 밀면
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Dwaeji gukbap (pork soup with rice)
Milky pork-bone soup with sliced pork and rice; season it yourself with salted tiny shrimp (saeujeot) and chives. Everyday Busan comfort food.
- Season
- All year
- Best
Show the staff: 돼지국밥
Coming in November
Nothing new starts this month.
Local specialties through the year
| 🐟 Raw fish at Jagalchi Market (rockfish, flounder) | All year |
| 🐍 Kkomjangeo gui (spicy grilled hagfish) | All year |
| 🐡 Bokguk (pufferfish soup) | All year |
| 🐟 Gijang anchovies (raw with chili dressing, or stew) | Mar – May |
| 🦀 Daege (steamed snow crab) | Dec – Apr |
| 🦪 Jogae gui (grilled shellfish) | All year |
| 🐟 Galchi (braised or grilled cutlassfish) | Jul – Nov |
| 🐟 Godeungeo gui (salt-grilled mackerel) | Sep – Feb |
| 🪸 Meongge (sea squirt, raw or in bibimbap) | Mar – Jun |
| 🐚 Jeonbokjuk (abalone rice porridge) | All year |
| 🥣 Mulhoe (cold spicy raw fish soup) | Jun – Sep |
| 🍢 Busan eomuk (fish cakes) | All year |
| 🍜 Milmyeon (Busan wheat cold noodles) | All year |
| 🍲 Dwaeji gukbap (pork soup with rice) | All year |
Other regions
Nagoya (Aichi) · Fukuoka (Hakata) · Hiroshima · Hyogo (Kobe, Akashi) · Kyoto (city, Tango coast) · Hakuba (Nagano) · Hokkaido (Sapporo, Otaru) · Seoul
Seasons shift with the weather and the catch each year. Ask the restaurant what is in today.