4 Best Restaurants in Side Trips from Busan, South Korea

The local favorite serves full-course traditional Korean fare, with entreés like bulgogi (marinated beef), jeon (savory pancake), dwaenjang jjigae (bean paste stew), and fried fish, all accompanied by myriad side dishes. Not only is the food terrific, but the service is top-notch, and the old hanok house the restaurant calls home adds to the charm. Make sure to order a bottle of their locally made dong-dong ju or cheongju (rice wine) to wash it all down, or if tea is more your thing, choose a healthy brew from their expansive list.

Located in the little village around Hakdong Beach, this popular eatery serves up an array of seafood prepared in different ways. Roasted or braised galchi (belt fish) is popular, and the servings generous. While they're set up to serve groups, it's also possible to order dishes for just one person, a luxury not always available at seaside joints in Korea.

This great fried-fish place sits in the row of restaurants just opposite the Oedo Cruise Terminal in Gujora Village. They also offer jaeyuk deopbab (spicy fried pork), donkas (breaded pork cutlet), and gyaeran mari (rolled egg with green onions) if you're not in the mood for seafood. Just make sure to get there early, as they close up shop at 5 pm.

Located in Tongyeong Jungang Market, this down-home seafood joint specializes in raw sashimi, along with maeuntang (spicy fish soup) and hoe deop bap (raw fish over rice). Eating in a bustling Korean market is always an experience worth pursuing, and being so close to the source you're guaranteed that everything will be as fresh as can be.