Two Busan stops linked to the show 'Welcome, First Time in Korea?': Jokbal Street for braised pig's trotters and the Hwangnyeongsan summit, known for its night view. Dinner first, city lights after.
Busan: A City of Sea and Markets
Busan stretches from the beaches of Haeundae to the fish market at Jagalchi, and much of its character comes through its food: dwaeji gukbap (pork and rice soup), milmyeon (cold wheat noodles), jokbal, fresh raw fish at Jagalchi, and eomuk (fish cakes). This post covers two places you can see in Busan episodes of the Korean TV show 'Welcome, First Time in Korea?' (어서와 한국은 처음이지).
Places to Visit
Busan Jokbal Street (Pig's Trotters Street)
Jokbal, braised pig's trotters sliced and served with dipping sauces, is one of Busan's signature dishes, and this street gathers it in one place. Besides the classic version, you can try spicy jokbal (bul-jokbal) and cold jokbal salad (naengchae-jokbal), a chilled dish tossed with vegetables and sauce. Common sides include makguksu (buckwheat noodles) and maesaengi-guk, a soup made with a fine seaweed called seaweed fulvescens. The show's highlight clip, "Busan Jokbal Street – Jokbal, Spicy Jokbal, Cold Jokbal Salad, Makguksu," follows the guests as they work through these dishes. If you go as a group, ordering a few different styles to share is a good way to compare.
Hwangnyeongsan Mountain Summit
The summit of Hwangnyeongsan is known as one of Busan's top spots for a night view, with the city's lights spread out below. It pairs well with the show's Busan trip episode, "Off to Busan to Find a Friend – Haedong Yonggungsa (EP.287)," and offers a very different side of the city from its daytime seaside scenery.
Route Tip
These two stops fit neatly into one evening. Have dinner at Jokbal Street around sunset, then head up to the Hwangnyeongsan summit once it's dark. The view is at its best after night has fully fallen, so there's no need to rush your meal. It can get cooler and windier at the top in the evening, so bring a light jacket, and plan how you'll get up the mountain and back before you set out.
Hours and locations change — check the map before you go.
