7 Affordable Restaurants to Eat Well in Busan

Are you planning a trip to Busan and dreaming of indulging in the freshest seafood and local delicacies? You’re in for a treat! As South Korea's second-largest city, Busan is renowned for its vibrant culinary scene, and here we will guide you through 7 fantastic restaurants where you can eat well and affordably in Busan.

During our three days in Busan, we primarily dined in the lively area of Nampo-Dong, where we stayed at the NO25 Hotel. This neighborhood is bustling with night markets, restaurants, and budget-friendly accommodations, making it a convenient base for exploring. In particular, Nampo-Gil Street offers a vibrant dining scene, filled with eateries of all kinds, perfect for a night out.

* We strive to keep our articles updated, but if you find any restaurants from this list closed or if the prices have changed, please let us know so we can update the information. Thank you! 🙂

After several weeks in South Korea, we also found ourselves craving some Western flavors in Busan, so you will find recommendations for pasta and pizza among our choices (but trust us, they’re delicious!). Let’s dive in and discover 7 excellent restaurants to eat well and affordably in Busan:

1. Samik Sikdang

Starting off with our favorite spot: a tiny restaurant that serves just two dishes (a good sign!). Here, you come to enjoy bulgogi (marinated beef grilled to perfection) and mandu (traditional Korean dumplings).

We ordered two servings of bulgogi and one of mandu. Everything was fantastic, but the bulgogi stood out with its delicious smoky and sweet flavor. Alongside the main dishes, you’ll be served the traditional Korean side dishes, including a delightful tofu soup.

Prices are extremely wallet-friendly: bulgogi costs 9,000₩ and mandu 6,000₩. Essentially, you can feast for under 10€ per person.

Bonus points for the staff, a lovely couple who even have pictures of their adorable cats displayed at the counter!

2. Lee Jae Mo Pizza

We have to admit, we don’t quite understand the hype, but it seems that half of Busan flocks to this pizzeria. Conveniently located near our hotel, we often saw long lines outside (be sure to avoid peak hours if you go).

We didn’t try the pizza ourselves, but it’s reputed to be one of the best in Busan. The menu reflects a style reminiscent of “Domino's,” but the rave reviews suggest it might be worth a shot. If you visit, let us know how it is! 😉

3. Halmae Dwaeji-gukbap

The full name of this restaurant is a giveaway: “60 years of traditional Halmae Dwaeji-gukbap”, and they’ve been perfecting their star dish, pork soup, for six decades. This simple eatery is always bustling with locals—definitely a good sign!

Prices are incredibly affordable, with a hearty bowl of pork soup costing only 7,000₩ (around 5€).

Don’t forget to use your Revolut card (with a 10€ bonus), the best option to avoid fees while paying and withdrawing cash abroad.

4. Rolling Pasta

While we didn’t try the pizza at Lee Jae Mo, we did visit Rolling Pasta. This franchise comes to the rescue for those of us missing Italian pasta while abroad. While it may not be Grandma’s traditional cooking, it’s quite satisfying.

The pasta never arrives overcooked; it’s always “al dente.” The sauces are flavorful, especially the carbonara (which leans a bit more towards “carbonata”!) and the ragù. Plus, the prices are great, with pasta dishes costing around 7,000-9,000₩ (4-6€).

After this review, I might be stripped of my Italian passport, but hey, it’s about the experience! 😉

5. Choryang Milmyeon

Another popular and affordable dining option in Busan is Choryang Milmyeon, well-known among locals. Here, you must try the milmyeon, a local specialty featuring thick cold noodles served with vegetables. Be sure to order a side of mandu (six pieces filled with meat, carrots, and cabbage).

The price for the dishes is around 5,000-6,000₩.

6. BIFF Square Night Market

For a unique evening snack or dinner, visiting the stalls at the BIFF Square Night Market is a must. Here, you’ll find everything from delicious traditional sweets (make sure to try the strawberries or grapes coated in sugar or the hotteok, a honey-filled pancake) to savory dishes (like gimbap, Korean sushi, or fish cakes, which are especially popular in Busan).

With low prices (ranging from 2,000-10,000₩), you can sample several items and enjoy them at one of the benches while soaking in the vibrant nighttime atmosphere.

7. Jagalchi Market

If there’s one place you absolutely must visit in Busan to experience local cuisine, it’s the famous Jagalchi Market, the largest fish market in South Korea. Here, you can not only observe the live seafood from the Korean coast but also walk through stalls brimming with a variety of shellfish, octopus, fish, and eels, and even buy what you like to have it cooked on the upper floor of the market.

Don’t miss the opportunity to take a boat ride from the nearby harbor, offering a stunning view of Busan Bay. You can book it here.

The budget can vary depending on what you choose, but we spent around 50€ for a mix of fish, octopus, scallops, and cuttlefish. It’s not the cheapest option, but we had a substantial meal. Just keep in mind that you’ll also pay for the cooking and any side dishes (we paid an additional 5,000₩ per person, though typically, it’s 5,000₩ for each preparation type, like grilling or stewing).

Is this experience worth it? It’s undoubtedly one of the typical things to do in Busan; however, it wasn’t the meal we fondly remember most from our time in Korea. We noticed that many tourists, especially from China, were enjoying impressive seafood feasts, featuring crabs and raw octopus, which might be a more memorable option if your budget allows.

Map of restaurants in Busan

Here’s a map with the locations of the restaurants and recommended places to eat in Busan:

We hope you enjoy our recommendations for restaurants in Busan. We look forward to hearing about your experiences! Do you know any other top spots for affordable dining in Busan? We’re all ears!

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