Daily Busan
Skip the tourist traps: Busan’s best local eats, according to taxi drivers
source: visitbusan
Busan’s taxi drivers know the city better than most, including where to eat. Benefit from their insight with the “2026 Taxchelin Guide,” the ultimate list of driver-recommended eateries.
Compiled by drivers with over 10 years of experience, the guide categorizes restaurants by district and assigns four awards:
- The Dongbaek Star for the best of the best.
- Traveling Gourmand for restaurants with scenic views and inviting atmospheres worth a special visit.
- Drinking Spot for great places to eat and drink alcohol.
- Solo Dining for restaurants that welcome solo diners.
To celebrate the release of the “2026 Taxchelin Guide,” Busan will host the 11th Busan Old Downtown Revitalization Festival: Taxchelin from May 22 to 24. Events will take place across the city’s historic downtown areas, including Jung-gu, Seo-gu, Dong-gu, Yeongdo-gu and Nam-gu districts.
The opening ceremony begins at 7 p.m. on May 22 at Busan Station Plaza. Ticket holders can try a collaborative dish created by Chef Kisub Park of Sogonggan — a Michelin-listed Korean restaurant — and Shin-fayuen, a locally beloved dumpling house.
The festival also pairs local old-town eateries with Michelin-listed chefs to create one-off collaboration dishes. Last year's standout was the Mala Pollock Roe Hamburger Steak, a joint creation by Dong-gu's Gogwan Hambak and Chef Gyu-jin Lee from Ramsey.
Two programs round out the experience. The Old Downtown Running Crew combines a weekend morning run with breakfast at a Taxchelin restaurant — four routes are available by district or fitness level, with tickets at 15,000 won and pre-registration required. For something more relaxed, the Old Downtown Night-View Pocha sets up an open-air street stall at Yurari Plaza in Jung-gu, serving fresh seafood with views of the Yeongdodaegyo Bridge.
The annual Taxchelin guidebook, program registration, discount coupons and full details are available on the official festival website.
◎ 11th Busan Old Downtown Revitalization Festival: Taxchelin, May 22 to 24
◎ Website: Click
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