Food
Long strands of tradition
"Bite Into Busan" is a monthly celebration of the city's restaurants. Each featured spot is listed in the Michelin Guide and Taste of Busan, the city's official gourmet guidebook, and is known for its signature dishes.
This month, we take a long look at noodles. Across East Asia, they have evolved from humble, post-war staples to icons of cultural identity. Whether it's icy Korean naengmyeon, savory Japanese ramen or nourishing Taiwanese beef noodle soup, these dishes remind us how strands of dough can carry stories across borders and bring people together, one bowl at a time.
A bowl of naengmyeon at Buda Myeonoak.
■Buda Myeonoak 부다면옥
This Pyongyang naengmyeon specialty spot is known for its clean, refreshing flavors. Korean beef shank and fresh vegetables are boiled separately, then cooled the traditional way to create a deeply flavorful broth.
*Address: 2F, 36 Jungdong1-ro, Haeundae-gu
*Hours: Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Last order at 7:30 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
*Menu: Naengmyeon ￦12,000
*Google Map: Click
Choose between naengmyeon in cold broth or sweet and spicy bibim naengmyeon at 100.1.Pyeongnaeng.
■100.1.Pyeongnaeng 백일평냉
True to the craft of traditional cold noodle makers, this restaurant serves authentic Pyongyang naengmyeon with beef broth, salt, and 80% buckwheat noodles. The menu also features homemade North Korean dumpling soup and bulgogi.
*Address: 1F, 29 Namcheonbada-ro 10beon-gil, Suyeong-gu
*Hours: Open daily, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for lunch and 5:30 to 9 p.m. for dinner. Last order at 8 p.m.
*Menu: Pyongyang/Bibim naengmyeon ￦13,000
*Available: Takeout
*Google Map: Click
The beef noodle soup at Bao Haus.
Dan dan noodles at Bao Haus.
■Bao Haus 바오하우스
A casual spot serving Taiwanese comfort food with a twist. Try their bao and signature beef noodle soup, both served with quick and friendly service. This popular eatery is housed in a compact space, so waiting times can be long without a reservation.
*Address: 62-9 Seojeon-ro 38beon-gil, Busanjin-gu
*Hours: Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Breaktime from 3 to 5 p.m. No breaktime on weekends.
*Menu: Beef noodle soup ￦12,500
*Available: Parking, takeout, foreign language menus
*Google Map: Click
Tonkotsu ramen at Nagahama Mangetsu.
■Nagahama Mangetsu 나가하마 만게츠
Located in the buzzy Haeridan-gil neighborhood, this "ramenya" is the first Korean branch of a popular ramen shop from Fukuoka, Japan. The restaurant's signature Nagahama Ramen draws long lines of diners, who covet the rich, milky, savory broth and thin noodles.
*Address: 1F, Daeyeong Building, 57 Udong 1-ro, Haeundae-gu
*Hours: Open daily from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for lunch and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. for dinner. Last order is 30 minutes before closing. Closed on public holidays.
*Menu: Nagahama Ramen ￦11,000
*Google Map: Click