Based on their respective locations and divergent personalities, it’s inevitable there will be New York vs. Los Angeles (or San Francisco) comparisons when discussing the South Korean cities of Seoul and Busan. While Seoul is known as the nation’s business and government hub, Busan is defined by its coastline, beaches, cliffs, mountains and a slower — but by no means sleepy — pace. The city’s public hot springs, historic temples, ornate parklands, regional South Korean flavors and spins on global trends (like craft beer) also distinguish it from its Western counterparts.

PHOTO: © KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION
Each of the neighborhoods that sparkle after dark has its own definitive hot spots. Haeundae has many glossy business district trappings including 5-star hotels, luxury shopping, white tablecloth restaurants and futuristic architecture. However, it also boasts Ciné de Chef, located on the fifth floor of the massive Centum City retail mall, with its plush lounge setting and meticulously prepared French and Italian cuisine served with a side of new movie releases.
Gwangan and Gwangalli Beach, a few subway stops from Haeundae, is an eclectic collage of sunset surfing, beachside restaurants, craft beer pubs and cocktail bars. Highlights include a buzzy branch of Galmegi Pub (Busan’s first craft beer brewery), Gorilla Brewing Co., Tap Security Place, Fuzzy Navel, Bar DiLan, Vegenarang (modern vegan temple food) and Happy Monk. In Nampudong, adjoining the port of Busan, fashionable folks gravitate toward The Commonplace, an ultra-stylish hybrid of wine bar and coffee house. Just downstairs, Nogada offers an earthy craft brew pub alternative.
If delving into the local music scene is your thing, add Kyungsung University and Pukyong National University neighborhoods to the itinerary. The Vinyl Underground, near Kyungsung University, features weekend music performances mixing up different pop genres. The Basement (near Pusan National University) is a draw for locals and expats with its roster of indie music acts from all around Korea. Seomyeon is regarded as the hipster area for its trendy restaurants, bars and one-off fashion shops. Jeonpo Café Street, lining its eastern edge, bustles with interesting eateries of every description and price point.
Fantastic teahouses and hot pot bibimbap joints abound, but it may be worth your while to seek out Yong Ggum, which loosely translates in English as “dragon dream.” It occupies a former World War II bomb shelter burrowed into the side of the hill and boasts a one-of- a-kind ambience (low lighting and gentle cave water trickling) and lovely traditional Korean seafood dishes you can wash down with dongdongju (Korean rice wine).
Regardless of how you spend your evening, Bupyeong Kkangtong Night Market proves the perfect starting or end point. Opened in 2013, the market features around 30 vendors and a mingling of regional Korean specialties and bites from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. While the LGBTQ+ scene is less centralized in Busan than Seoul, many welcoming food, bar and club destinations (including those mentioned here) are open to anybody eager to experience what makes Busan refreshingly different from Seoul.
Read This Next
Jeffrey Goh | CEO, Star Alliance
November 2021
Dec 11, 2021
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Sep 21, 2023Soak in Philadelphia’s Charm with This Epicurean Lovers Weekend Getaway
If fabulous food and beverages are a must-have for any weekend getaway, then look no further than the City of Brotherly Love. Whether your palate has a penchant for vibrant Latin American fare or cozy French cuisine, whether you're an oenophile looking to swirl, sniff and sip your way around the globe or you’d rather sample farm-to-glass cocktails, Philly’s got it all this fall. (With the exception of Bolo, which is a short taxi or Uber ride away and definitely worth the trip, the rest of these spots are all within walking distance of each other.)
Sponsored Content
Exclusive Savings: Cruise Along the Danube River with Global Traveler
Exclusive Sailing with Global Traveler
Daily
Sep 21, 2023These Hotels Have Some of the Best Room Views in the World
From Santoríni to Dubai to New York, some hotels just have that “it” factor that draws visitors far and wide. For some hotels it’s their proximity to popular landmarks and attractions, for others it’s their amenities. But these hotels have something few can claim: a true room with a view.
Daily
Sep 21, 2023Great Bring-Alongs for Fall Adventure Travel
Planning your next autumn adventure? Whether that entails kayaking a remote mountain river or a walking tour of your favorite European capital, here are some great travel finds to bring along:
Sponsored Content
IHG® Business Edge: A Better Way to Travel
Many small- and medium-sized businesses face time and budget constraints when organizing corporate hotel travel for employees. To address this problem, IHG® Business Edge emerged as a cost-free business travel solution for small- to medium-sized enterprises, offering travel managers exclusive access to enticing perks, handpicked educational resources and comprehensive company travel metrics. IHG Business Edge connects our loyal customers to our portfolio of 5,800 hotels and resorts across 18 brands in more than 100 countries.
Daily
Sep 20, 2023The Chloe Nashville to Bring a Southern “Joie de Vivre” to Nashville in 2024
Two historic Craftsman-style homes connected by a newly built third extension will take on a new life as the 19-room The Chloe Nashville in 2024. Developed to aesthetically harmonize with both Nashville’s past and future under the direction of Nashville-based Remick Architecture, guestrooms range from 400 to 817 square feet and start at $375 per night, with its top suite running $950 per night. The architecture and interiors maintain the original homes’ residential feel while incorporating modern and traditional design elements reflective of Nashville’s character and history.
The Lancaster Hotel Review
eFlyer Reviews
Sep 20, 2023New 2024 Tours from VBT Bicycling, Country Walkers
Daily
Sep 20, 2023Crystal Unveils 2025 Itineraries
eFlyer News
Sep 20, 2023eFlyer Deals
Sep 20, 2023Save on These Noise-Reducing Earphones for Fall and Winter Travel
A must for travelers seeking quiet on a plane or any noisy atmosphere, QuietOn’s newest launch, QuietOn 3.1, launches a limited-time sale on the product for last-minute trips this fall and winter. Originally selling for $289, QuietOn 3.1 is on sale for $50 off at $239 this Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
eFlyer Deals
Sep 20, 2023Solo Travelers Enjoy Single Supplement Waiver on Select Star Clippers Sailings
With more travelers opting to book solo trips, Star Clippers invites solo travelers to embark on one of its tall-ship sailing itineraries with a special offer. Solo travelers who book by Sept. 30 will receive waived single supplements on a variety of itineraries through 2025.
ShareThis