Busan trip in May
Natsuki
2 years ago
Busan is famous as the second largest city in South Korea, located in the south of South Korea. I will write a review because I have been there ♪
By the way, I went to Korea in early May. The temperature was just right, warm enough to wear short sleeves during the day and cool enough to wear a shirt over it at night. There was a day of rain during my stay, so I recommend bringing rain gear like a foldable umbrella just in case of sudden bad weather when traveling.
Actually, this is my second visit to Busan. Busan has its own unique charm that is different from Seoul, and it's a place that makes you want to visit over and over again.
Access from Seoul Station is easy and comfortable with just one KTX train. Despite the distance, KTX fares are not higher than Japan's Shinkansen, allowing you to travel long distances affordably. It may take more time compared to KTX, but it seems you can also go by express bus.
From Busan, it is easy to access other cities such as Daegu and Gyeongju, so it is recommended to visit other cities while you are in Busan. By the way, you can easily go there with just one train ride. The fare also gives the impression of not being too expensive.
Busan is a sufficiently urban area, so transportation is well developed and it is easy to get around. You can access various tourist destinations by using the subway, of course, as well as the bus. There are also many taxis running, and I think you can travel even more easily by using apps such as Kakao Taxi.
Olive Young and unique Korean cafe chains, cosmetic shops, etc. are found everywhere, so you can enjoy shopping and cafes in the same way as Seoul.
Haeundae and Gwanganli Beaches are famous tourist spots in Busan. Even Koreans visit these places, and you can see many people walking their dogs, exercising, and families or couples relaxing. Especially, the view on a sunny day is amazing. There are also cafes and restaurants along the coast, where you can enjoy a meal or tea and be soothed by the open view. Popular cafes during trips are often crowded, and you may have to give up due to limited time, but the cafes in Haeundae and Gwanganli have great views, so you can feel twice or three times as satisfied just with the scenery. I also went to a couple of chain cafes, and both times I was lucky to get a window seat, allowing me to enjoy a blissful tea time while admiring the view. Even if there are no available seats in the cafes, it's also nice to take a takeaway drink and sit on the beach to enjoy it.
I think it's a perfect spot for those who want to enjoy the city while also getting away from the hustle and bustle and enjoying the natural scenery. The bridge is lit up at night and you can enjoy a different atmosphere from daytime.
I have also stayed at the Ocean View Hotel, and when I looked out towards the beach at night, I could see groups of students joyfully taking photos and couples enjoying a leisurely date. It created a relaxed and lovely atmosphere.
When I woke up early in the morning and looked outside the window, there were fewer people, so it might be a good idea to take pictures earlier in the day without other people in the background (lol)
And above all, one of the reasons why you will want to come back to Busan is the food. '낙곱새' (a spicy grilled dish with octopus, shrimp, and hormones) and '국밥' are very delicious.
we went to eat '국밥' three times during our stay, but all the shops that were fairly popular on NAVER Maps (4.5 stars or higher) were very delicious. One of the charms of Korea is that there are many places where you can eat side dishes as much as you want.
This time, I ate the '낙곱새' that I had always wanted to eat, and it was really delicious. The spiciness was much milder than I had imagined, so I finished it all. By the way, at the restaurant I went to, you can also choose the level of spiciness, so those who like it spicy can enjoy that option as well. After eating '낙곱새', I had fried rice made in the same pot, and it was surprisingly tasty. I definitely want to go there again! It's a dish that makes me crave it just by thinking about it now.
There are also many markets where you can eat fresh fish and street food like '호떡(hotteok)'. There are also places where food stalls are set up, so you can enjoy Korean cuisine at a reasonable price. Particularly recommended is 씨앗호떡, a '호떡(hotteok)' from Busan that contains something like nuts in it. I had it made right in front of me, and they put in so much that I wondered if I could eat it all. However, when I tried it, the texture was really good and it had a subtly sweet taste, so it was easy to eat it all by myself without feeling heavy. It was also reasonably priced at around 1500w, so I think it's suitable to have as a light snack during a quick trip.
I visited Busan in both autumn and spring, and both times the weather was very pleasant and easy for sightseeing. I don't think there is much difference in temperature between Japan and Korea in spring and autumn, so it's less likely to get sick or feel uncomfortable. There is also no time difference since it's in Korea, and if you are coming from Kansai or Kyushu, you can reach Incheon in a shorter time than going to Seoul. So if you have the opportunity, please go and see for yourself!
