Complete Conquest of TOP 5 Restaurants in Haeundae, Busan! Genuine Local Recommendations

If You're in Haeundae, These 5 Places Are a Must!

Hello! During my 3-day trip to Busan, I completely conquered the culinary scene in Haeundae! I visited so many places, but I've selected the TOP 5 that you absolutely must visit. From Michelin Guide restaurants to hidden gems known only to locals!

My friends and I went on a food tour from morning till night for three days, and although our stomachs were full and wallets lighter... it was a choice we didn't regret! I'll provide honest reviews and tips for each restaurant!

1st Place: Geumsu Bokguk Haeundae Main Branch - The Standard of Bokguk Recognized by Michelin

Why is it 1st place? With a 50-year tradition and consecutive selections in the Michelin Guide for 2024 and 2025! That says it all, right? The fact that it's open 24 hours is also a huge advantage.

I went around 2 PM on a Saturday, and luckily, the lunch rush was over, so we got in right away. We ordered the Eonbokguk Spicy Soup (16,000 KRW) and the Set of Fried Blowfish & Skin Salad (18,000 KRW)...

It was truly on another level compared to any spicy blowfish soup I've had before! The broth was much richer and had a deeper flavor. There were even four pieces of blowfish, and the portion was about 1.5 servings. If you mix the water parsley and bean sprouts with vinegar gochujang, it's a perfect combo!

The restaurant has a typical Korean dining feel. It's clean and organized, and the staff are friendly. Knowing it has a 50-year tradition gives it more credibility. If you're new to blowfish dishes, this is a good place to start.

2nd Place: Haemok Haeundae Branch - Instagram Hotspot for Hitsumabushi

Why is it 2nd place? Selected by the Michelin Guide and an Instagram hotspot! It's a place where you can properly enjoy Nagoya-style hitsumabushi.

We ordered the Special Hitsumabushi (58,000 KRW), and it's fun to eat it in four different ways. First, just as it is, second with vegetables, third with tea, and lastly in the most delicious way! Personally, I found it tastiest with the ochazuke (tea) method!

We also ordered the Kaisendon (37,000 KRW), and the fresh seafood was plump and delicious! However, due to the price, it might be best for a special occasion.

The restaurant is really clean and modern. It was as pretty as it looked on Instagram. There are both floor seating and chair seating, so you can sit wherever you're comfortable. It's located on Haeridan-gil, so it's great for exploring the area.

3rd Place: Haeundae Amso Galbijip - A Hanwoo Restaurant for Special Occasions

Why is it 3rd place? A Hanwoo galbi restaurant that locals visit on special occasions! Although it's pricey, the quality is guaranteed.

The raw ribs (58,000 KRW) and marinated ribs (54,000 KRW) are both tender and savory, melting in your mouth. The soybean paste stew and side dishes are so delicious that you can finish a bowl of rice in no time! The lunch special menu is more affordable and plentiful, so I recommend it!

The smell of grilling meat is different. The unique savory taste and juiciness of real Hanwoo are alive. The staff grills it for you, and they do it perfectly. The soybean paste stew has a really deep flavor, and it's delicious on its own.

4th Place: Haeseong Makchangjip - A Hidden Gem for Makchang Among Locals

Why is it 4th place? The best value for money and perfect taste! It's a hidden gem known only by word of mouth among locals.

The grilled beef makchang (12,000 KRW) gets more savory the more you chew, and the spicy gopchang stew (11,000 KRW) has an amazing broth! The portions are really generous for the price, making it the best value. It's a perfect place for a drink of soju!

The makchang is really fresh and has no smell at all. They grill it perfectly, making it chewy yet tender. The gopchang stew has a really refreshing and spicy broth, making it great for hangovers.

5th Place: Obok Dwaeji Gukbap - A Must-Visit in Busan

Why is it 5th place? You can't leave out dwaeji gukbap when talking about Busan! It's a 70-year-old, third-generation restaurant known for its clean broth and tender meat.

The dwaeji gukbap (8,000 KRW) has a clear broth without radish, offering a mild yet deep flavor. It has plenty of meat, but it's not greasy at all! The fact that it's open 24 hours is also a plus!

The broth is really clean. It's much cleaner and less greasy than other dwaeji gukbap I've had. The meat is tender, and the portion is ample. The kimchi and radish kimchi are so delicious that you'll keep reaching for them.

Recommended Food Tour Route

Day 1: Obok Dwaeji Gukbap (Breakfast) → Haeundae Beach → Haemok (Lunch) → Haeridan-gil Cafe Tour

Day 2: Geumsu Bokguk (Breakfast) → Dongbaek Island Walk → Haeundae Amso Galbijip (Lunch) → Dalmaji-gil

Day 3: Haeseong Makchangjip (Dinner) → Enjoy Haeundae Night View

This way, you can experience all the flavors of Haeundae! Just make sure to prepare your wallet in advance...

Price Range Summary

• Under 10,000 KRW: Obok Dwaeji Gukbap (8,000 KRW)
• 10,000-20,000 KRW: Geumsu Bokguk Eonbokguk (16,000 KRW), Haeseong Makchang (12,000 KRW)
• 30,000-60,000 KRW: Haemok Hitsumabushi (39,000 KRW), Haeundae Amso Galbi (54,000 KRW)

You can choose according to your budget!

Special Stories of Each Restaurant

What impressed me most during this trip was that each restaurant had its own unique charm. Geumsu Bokguk was perfectly Michelin-worthy, and Haemok was even prettier than what I saw on Instagram. Eating at Haeseong Makchangjip with locals made it taste even better, and Obok Dwaeji Gukbap gave me a sense of Busan's warmth.

Especially at Haeundae Amso Galbijip, an elderly man at the next table said, "I've been coming here for 40 years, and the taste hasn't changed." Hearing stories like that made it taste even better.

Honest Overall Review

I was truly happy during the 3-day Haeundae food tour! Each place had its own unique charm, making them all worth visiting. Especially Geumsu Bokguk, which I highly recommend! It's no wonder Michelin selected it.

If you come to Haeundae, don't just visit the beach; make sure to visit these 5 places! You'll experience the real taste of Busan. I plan to revisit all 5 places the next time I'm in Busan!

Revisit Intention: 100% for all 5 places! I want to bring my friends next time.

If you're planning a trip to Busan, save this post and make sure to visit! You won't regret it. And if you have any other recommended restaurants, please let me know in the comments!