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Asia South Korea Busan Dining Sinbalwon

Overview

Sinbalwon

The guide was updated: 2024-05-29

You'll most likely recognise this unassuming little restaurant by the line forming outside. Sinbalwon is perhaps the best place in Busan to try the 'mandu' dumplings, immortalised by the movie 'Oldboy', in which the protagonist ate nothing but them for the entire duration of his 15-year-long captivity. Don't leave without sampling both the steamed and deep-fried varieties.

Useful Information

Address: 62 Daeyeong-ro 243beon-gil, Dong-gu, Busan
Opening hours: Wed–Mon 11am–8pm, Tue Closed
Phone: +82 51 467 0177

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Jagalchi Fish Market

Jagalchi Fish Market

This legendary market will blow the mind of anyone who happens to have even a passing interest in seafood. The sheer variety of sea creatures sold here must be seen to be believed. If the Korean favourites such as crab and eel get stale, try the 'kalguksu' noodles with clams or 'bajirak' as well as basically anything that can be extracted from the deep waters washing over Busan. One speciality that Jagalchi does particularly well is 'hoe' (pronounced /wɛ/), which is raw fish cut into thin slithers almost like sashimi. Dip it in sauce and wrap it up in a lettuce leaf for a flavour punch in a crunchy casing.

Gukje Market

Gukje Market

A bustling food street cuts through Busan's busiest market, and has diners take seats at the stalls of their choosing. Street eateries sell all manner of Korean and Busan specialities imaginable, from 'gimbap' (Korean sushi rolls) to cold noodles, pork soup, and more. The rest of the market makes for a curious browse-around, even though most of the wares are aimed primarily at local shoppers rather than tourists.

Shinsegae Food Hall

Shinsegae Food Hall

The food hall in the basement of Shinsegae, the world's largest according to the Guinness Book of Records is a smorgasbord of international dining options. You'll be truly spoilt for choice with flavours from across Asia and beyond. One really can't go wrong with 'bibimbap', a bowl of rice with delectable toppings that is sometimes served in a steaming hot cast iron bowl, to be mixed and cooked right before eating.

Anga Sutbul-gui

Anga Sutbul-gui

If it's the celebrated Korean BBQ you're after, Anga Sutbul-gui is probably the place you'll be directed to. They're known primarily for their marinated pork which is grilled to perfection on the private grills built into each table. Diners can also enjoy access to an unlimited salad bar which also displays various condiments. Keep in mind that it's on the pricey side and only set menus are served at lunchtime.

Haeundae Milmyeon Jeonmunjeom

Haeundae Milmyeon Jeonmunjeom

The Busan speciality of "milmyeon" is best served on a hot summer's day. Picture a nest of wheat noodles served ice-cold (sometimes with ice still floating in the broth) with hot pepper paste, vegetables and half an egg on top. The noodles aren't too spicy despite the gochujang paste and make for a nice snack on the beach. The Milmyeon Jeonmunjeom restaurant is walking distance from Haeundae. This type of noodle is known elsewhere in Korea as "naengmyeon", but varieties outside of Busan usually swap wheat noodles for buckwheat, sweet potato for other kinds and they generally leave out the pepper paste.

Jangsusam

Jangsusam

This compact hole in the wall serves one thing and one thing only, Korean 'samgye-tang'. This gingery soup is made up of a whole chicken stuffed with rice and flavourful ingredients such as garlic and ginseng. The soup is deemed to hold all sorts of curative properties and is considered to be a traditional warm-weather dish. The owner is exceptionally friendly to foreign visitors and willingly demonstrates the proper way to eat the soup, with an assortment of Korean pickles followed by a special ginseng drink and chased with a coffee.

Samjin Amook Main Branch

Samjin Amook Main Branch

Fishcakes have a long tradition in Busan, and Samjin Amook is Busan's oldest operating fishcake factory. Its main outlet is a fishcake bakery that features an observable production line, a store where multiple varieties of fishcake are on sale at surprisingly low prices and even a museum on the top floor. There is a cafe of sorts across from the store, where your "catch" can be cooked into a full noodle dish. Fresh cakes sell out quick, so arrive early for best assortment.

Choryang Milmyeon

Choryang Milmyeon

A classic inexpensive eatery in close proximity to the Busan station, Choryang Milmyeon serves up cold 'milmyeon' noodles which are a local favourite. The dish might not be for everyone (although we do of course encourage you to try this Busan speciality), wheres the 'mandu' (meat dumplings) rarely disappoint. Prices are extremely affordable.

Sinbalwon

Sinbalwon

You'll most likely recognise this unassuming little restaurant by the line forming outside. Sinbalwon is perhaps the best place in Busan to try the 'mandu' dumplings, immortalised by the movie 'Oldboy', in which the protagonist ate nothing but them for the entire duration of his 15-year-long captivity. Don't leave without sampling both the steamed and deep-fried varieties.

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