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The people have spoken: Busan’s top 20 gukbap restaurants

 

Which pork soup spot reigns supreme in Busan? Twenty restaurants have been selected for the 2026 Busan Dwaeji Gukbap Grand Fair, following a public nomination drive that ran from Aug. 16 to Sept. 2.

The campaign drew strong public interest. More than 10,800 nominations poured in online and in person, naming 254 restaurants across the city — proof that when it comes to Busan's favorite comfort food, everyone has an opinion. Picks covered well-known establishments, multigenerational institutions and neighborhood favorites loaded with personal memories.

The buzz carried over online. A short-form video inviting viewers to name their favorite gukbap spot pulled in 2.05 million views and 34,000 shares in just two days. A follow-up video, "The Gukbap Debate," featuring chefs Leo Kang and Do-yoon Kim, added more than 170,000 views of its own.

With the top 20 locked in, the festival rolls on with a lineup of events. On Sept. 19, Gukbap Talk brings together Sang-jin Han, Busan City's promotional ambassador and a well-known actor, along with culinary expert Leo Kang and local gukbap fans for a conversation on the dish's history, culture and what makes a bowl truly great.

The spotlight then shifts to the 20 finalists during Gukbap Week, running Sept. 28 to Oct. 14. Locals and visitors can vote for their favorites through KakaoMap, whether they're recalling a past visit or trying the restaurants for the first time. Voting will narrow the field from 20 to 10, then down to a final three.

Those top three restaurants will take the spotlight next at the Gukbap Showcase.

For more information, visit the official Visit Busan website or its Instagram account.

※ 2026 Busan Dwaeji Gukbap Grand Fair

◎ Website: Click 

◎ Instagram: @visitbusan_kr

◎ Notice on the Visit Busan website: Click 

◎ List of 20 selected Gukbap restaurants 

1. 1953 Hyeongje Dwaeji Gukbap, Main Branch (Nam-gu) 

2. Ssangdungi Dwaeji Gukbap, Main Branch (Nam-gu)

3. Hapcheon Gukbapjip, Yongho Branch (Nam-gu)

4. Subyeon Choego Dwaeji Gukbap, Millak Main Branch (Suyeong-gu)

5. Suyeong Dwaeji Gukbap (Suyeong-gu)

6. Sikbok Dwaeji Gukbap (Suyeong-gu)

7. Jamae Gukbap (Suyeong-gu)

8. Cheonghwabaek Dwaeji Gukbap, Gwangalli Main Branch (Suyeong-gu)

9. 70nyeon Jeontong Halmae Gukbap (Dong-gu)

10. Uri Dwaeji Gukbap (Dong-gu)

11. Du Beonjjae Neulhaerang (Busanjin-gu)

12. Mokchon Dwaeji Gukbap, Yeonsan City Hall Branch (Yeonje-gu)

13. Seo Jin-seop Dwaeji Gukbap (Jung-gu)

14. Somunnan Dwaeji Gukbap, Bupyeong Branch (Jung-gu)

15. Sinchang Gukbap, Main Branch (Seo-gu)

16. Yeongjin Dwaeji Gukbap, Main Branch (Saha-gu)

17. Onammae Dwaeji Gukbap, Jeonggwan Branch (Gijang-gun)

18. Ibagu Gukbap (Sasang-gu)

19. Haeundae Halmaejip (Haeundae-gu)

20. Hwanamjeong Dwaeji Gukbap, Choeup Main Branch (Busanjin-gu)

<Today's Vocabulary - 오늘의 단어>

reign: 평정하다 supreme: 최고의 nomination: 지명 debate: 논쟁 culinary: 요리의

Editor: Song Soomi

Copy Editors: Ryu Hyoseung, Anton J. Mapoy