SOUTH KOREA
THE LAUNCH OF A NEW MICHELIN GUIDE TO BUSAN IS DRAWING FRESH AT TENTION TO SOUTH KOREA’S SECOND CITY
Located on the southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula and home to several wide, sandy beaches, Busan has long been where South Koreans come to unwind. But the country’s second city is now coming into its own as a culinary destination, with its boat-fresh seafood and timehonoured recipes beginning to attract international attention. Its place on the world culinary map will be established in February, when the city is set to be included in the Michelin Guide —the only South Korean destination other than the capital to be featured.
The ocean’s bounty is the name of the game in this coastal hub, but local gastronomy isn’t limited to hoe (sashimi), nakji bokkeum (stirfried octopus) and jogae gui (grilled clams). The place is packed with diverse dining choices, from sleek restaurants serving up Europeaninspired food to old-school tents known as pojangmacha, which still thrive here despite having largely died out in the rest of the country. Step inside these traditional streetfood spots to join lively locals tucking into home-style side dishes such as dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) or duruchigi (fried pork in pepper paste), served alongside local beer and shots of soju (a Korean spirit traditionally made using rice).
TOP BUSAN CULINARY EXPERIENCES
The Jagalchi fish market is this port city’s beating heart. Its stalls offer up shells, fillets and tentacles, and while you can have your seafood grilled at one of its many restaurants, a meal in the Raw Fish Center is one you won’t forget. Just point to your lunch, which is then plucked from the tank, dispatched and expertly sliced on the spot.
