(Photo courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea)
If you have spent any time in Busan before, you’ll notice right away that food and drink are a big part of everyday life.
Whether it’s grabbing a stool outside a pojangmacha in Seomyeon or sitting by the beach in Gwangalli, there’s always good food and cold soju available.
Busan’s eating culture, especially when it’s Korean food, is laid-back with meals and drinks that can go on for hours, with plenty of talking, laughing, and pouring drinks for each other.
The seafood here is some of the best in the country with fresh sliced fish at Jagalchi Market, grilled eels in Millak-dong, or a steaming bowl of dwaeji gukbap around the city late at night.
And when it comes to drinking, Busan has its own local pride.
The city’s go-to soju is C1, is made by Daesun Distilling. It’s what most locals reach for first. The taste is clean and smooth, and maybe it’s just in people’s heads, but they’ll tell you it’s the water from Mount Samgak that makes it special.
The same company also makes Daesun Soju, another local and my personal favorite, which is a little softer, perfect with seafood or spicy soup.
These are the bottles you’ll see at every table, the ones every Korean’s dad probably drank too.
You’ll still find national brands like Chamisul and Chum Churum all over the place, especially in the newer bars around Haeundae and Centum City.
They’re fine and all, but there’s something about drinking the local stuff that feels better.
For those who can’t handle the straight “one shot”, you’ll see others who mix “Sosa” (soju and cider), “Soco” (soju and cola), or the most popular “Somaek” (soju and beer).
Whatever you choose, the best nights in Busan usually start simple. Someone pours the first shot, and a few rounds go by, and suddenly it’s midnight and you’re still sitting there, talking about everything and nothing.
That’s what eating and drinking in Busan is really about, not fancy restaurants or the latest trends, just good company, good food, and a little soju to keep it going.
