It’s more eating than sightseeing this time around (who am I kidding right?) and I specifically chose to be in Busan around this period due to Busan Beach Festival and Great Battle of Hansan in Tongyeong.

I love Busan everything! Food too for sure, except Bibim Dangmyeon (비빔 당면) in that famous shop at Gukje Market (국제 시장). I need to give it a 2nd chance next time.

Shawn, our host‘s long term Korean guest suggested Gupo Market (구포 시장) as it’s more local for us gals to get some grocery so Eva who’s our guesthouse’s Polish volunteer; could attempt to recreate Polish dishes (minus a few ingredients since it’s not used in Korean dishes).

I’ve had Kongguk (콩국) suggested by him as well but I still prefer Kongguksu (콩국수) over the former.

Nicky who was our guesthouse’s Netherlands guest bought Hobakjuk (호박죽, ₩2,000 or 3,000) for breakfast & Eva got the sweet donut thing for ₩1,000.

We couldn’t eat any breakfast after all that and decided to head back and start our work day.

Thirsty to see more of Gupo Market eateries, I met up with Kasper from Denmark (who had volunteered earlier at my 2nd host’s home prior to my arrival) to have dinner there.

After deliberating & strolling several alleys, we ended up having the ever yummy Dwaeji Gukbap (돼지 국밥, ₩7,000).

So yummy that I forgot to take pictures of it =.=”‘

Having eaten a few Dwaeji Gukbaps (돼지 국밥), I must say the restaurant serves more side dishes as opposed to the usual chilis & onions with doenjang (된장) and / or Kkakdugi (깍두기).

I think I secretly loved clean local markets as I’m back here again, twice!! LOL!

I was with my friend Jihye from Changwon (after much deliberation & her desperation for air conditioned eatery) and we had Kongguksu (₩5,000) & Bibim Naengmyeon (₩5,000).

I saw on a TV show that eating Kongguksu separately with either sugar/salt/kimchi would give you different taste/texture/pleasure.

Since I’m like Curious George, there’s no way I’m gonna missed trying it out!

I love the taste most with sugar, followed by Kimchi and then salt. I even do a salt + sugar combo and though nice, sugar alone wins hands down!

The last time I was there, I went with our guesthouse’s Taiwanese volunteer Yu Hsuan to get groceries for my attempt at simple Chinese home cook meal for 9-10 people.

The chicken Eonni (언니) vendors were so cute and adorable that I enjoyed chatting with them a little!

Hilariously, the 언니 selling dried goods told me she’ll sell me small amount of Jujube / Daechu (대추, ₩1,000) just because I called her 언니! LOL!

Another 언니 gave me the small cut of radish as Service (서비스) since I’ve bought a few vegetables from her.

There’s just so much love!

Funnily, the only person who’s curious about Bosintang (보신탕) didn’t managed to come across said alley when we were there (though I saw it every single time during my previous visits).

There’s also plenty to eat where I was staying in Busan, so I explored the meat market 5 minutes away.

Enjoyed being at this cute tiny bridge looking at how clear the water is below.

I’m wondering if Malaysians would work with government to cleanup Klang River like Koreans cleaned up Cheonggyecheon (청계천).

Had my 1st Seonji Jeongsik (선지정식), ₩7,000. Ain’t nobody warned me that there’s plenty of beef in this dish! Totally stuffed!

Simpler lunch of Onguksu (온국수 means warm guksu). The menu read 냉온국수 and I ordered it like that until the Imo laughingly told me that it’s either Naeng Guksu (냉국수) / 온국수!

1 night Eva and I decided to go out for dinner and we ended up somewhere near Mora Subway without realising it!

That adventure took us to this wonderful place!

Since my Czech friends mentioned about fireworks on 1st day of Beach Festival in Haeundae, we met for street food dinner in BIFF/Jagalchi before taking a bus to Haeundae from there.

I had a few mini gimbap & fritters and was so surprised it cost me less than ₩5,000!

As soon as we reached, the fireworks ended and we were overwhelmed by the large crowd leaving the beach.

I felt a little scared seeing the massive number of people walking towards us; it’s like seeing stampede in slow-mo.

We then decide to head to Gwangan Beach to view the Gwangan@Diamond Bridge.

While searching for the way back to Haeundae subway station, we talked and walked with a quartet Marine boys / men who’s in Busan for their holiday. 1 of them is from Yeosu (여수) in Jeollanamdo (전라남도).

We part ways at the station and though Gwangan beach was much more enjoyable than Haeundae that night, the view of the bridge was disappointing as we weren’t able to see the light changes from the angle.

However a sweet but slightly melancholic male voice singing (guess what? hahaha!) “Yeosu night sea” (여수 밤바다) had us slightly entranced and we stayed a little before rushing off to catch our (last?) train home.

Because we reached our station past midnight, we walked about 20 mins to get back to our guesthouse since it’s quite safe in South Korea.

I’d have taken a cab if it’s elsewhere or returned home much earlier.

To supplement more pictures, I’ve re-visited Haedong Yonggungsa again and I was surprised by the number of visitors on a Monday afternoon/evening!

It’s Dwaeji Gukbap again and this time I ordered Modeum Gukbap (모듬 국밥)!

I was so so so tempted to order more of those Chapssal Sundae (찹쌀순대)!

Seomyeon’s a good place for dinner or hangout as well. Me and Jihye can’t decide what to eat so we went for Jokbal unanimously (this is another Busan’s famous pork dish).

I can’t ever say no to Jokbal (족발) of any kind, even the spicy 1!

2nd dinner was simpler affair :

Eva, Kasper & I walked 5 minutes to the cafe street nearby but was not interested in coffee much so left immediately for Yongdusan Park.

We watched a 10-15 minutes video installation on the Busan Tower itself. It’s a little underwhelming but the view there and the way down was made for really pleasant morning / evening walk.

Between us 7 gals (China, Czech Republic, Malaysia, Poland, Taiwan & Thailand); we had a picnic at Dadaepo Beach and it felt like the world is coming together XD

Eva made banana muffin while Klara made tofu & tuna sandwiches and banana blueberry steam cake using a rice cooker!

Our picnic location was so strategic as it’s next to a subway, we could picnic at the beach, watch a musical fountain show (daily 8pm & 9pm) and stroll at the park which is conveniently nestled between them!

One evening we decided to head to Hwanyeongsan for it’s beautiful night view and had dinner at this yummy noodle house.

I’m so sensitive to spicy food during my visit which was highly unusual & my cold noodle’s spice hit me like an apocalypse!

Super lovely aunt at the restaurant was there to rescue me; getting more cold broth and also the hot meat broth as well. ❤ Imo!

Unfortunately Eva & Yu Hsuan felt the night view was a little underwhelming but I’m sure they’ve gotten a good hike out of the walk that night!

I went to my friend’s place to drop off some candies and happened to passed by Oryukdo (오륙도). Even from inside the bus it was just so breathtakingly beautiful!

Busan bucket list next round : Igidae, Oryukdo & Taejongdae!

I had to have my last meal in Busan and the weather’s a killer! So the next logical thing is to eat something cold!

Wrapping up my Busan trip for now with a heavy heart but needs to head off to the train station next for Sangju (상주)!

I anticipate your warm embraces on my next trip, my lovely Busan!