In a city with no shortage of places to eat finding the one you keep coming back to is everything — and Tuerang Samgyeopsal in Seomyeon became exactly that for us.

With no shortage of eateries in Busan, finding a spot that you care to frequent on a regular basis can be a bit daunting. As a foreigner its made somewhat more dicey with the “what do they even serve there?” mentality that so many of us fall victim too when choosing a grub spot.

To make the decision that much easier, about 2 months back Nicole and I were kindly invited into (퇘랑숯돌생고기) Tuerang Seungupsal across from the Hotel Angel in Seomyeon. This was to be the first of nearly a dozen or so visits we have made over the past two months thanks to the friendly atmosphere, great prices and uber yummy cuisine.

Our usual hostess with the the mostest, (who we think is a hygienist by day after a somewhat convincing choppy convo) greets us with a smile and welcomes us in each and every time.

Our usual choice of olive garlic meat and original seungupsal coupled with a handful of Cass fresh(beer) all for a tummy tickling 18,000 won makes for a great night out or  pre-game event depending on your liver and determination.

If your a meat-eater, or just a Korean veggie lover, pop in for a bite and I guarantee you’ll be back for more.

mekju hana juseyo!

Do you have a “homey” restaurant you frequent in Korea or elsewhere? Tell us about it!

adam

Q: What is samgyeopsal and why is it so popular in Korea? A: Samgyeopsal is Korean BBQ pork belly cooked directly on a grill built into your table — sliced thick seasoned simply and eaten wrapped in lettuce leaves with garlic kimchi and various side dishes. It is one of the most beloved and social dining experiences in Korea because the cooking happens communally at the table making every meal feel like a gathering rather than just a meal. At 18,000 won for two people with beer it is also one of the best value dining experiences in the country.

Q: How do you find good restaurants in Busan as a foreigner? A: The honest answer is that you stumble into the right ones and then return obsessively. Being invited in by a welcoming staff who greet you by name and remember your usual order is the surest sign you have found your place. Seomyeon is one of Busan’s most vibrant dining neighborhoods and walking the streets with an open mind and a willingness to point at things and see what arrives has never failed us.

Q: What is the Seomyeon neighborhood of Busan like? A: Seomyeon is one of Busan’s main commercial and entertainment districts — busy lively and packed with restaurants bars cafes and shops that stay open late into the night. As expats living in Busan it became our home base for evenings out and the neighborhood where we found most of our favorite local spots including our beloved samgyeopsal restaurant directly across from Hotel Angel.

Q: How much does eating out cost in Busan South Korea? A: Remarkably affordably — our standard order of olive garlic meat original samgyeopsal and several cold Cass beers came to 18,000 won for two people which is roughly $15 US dollars. Korean BBQ restaurants in particular offer extraordinary value with unlimited side dishes included and enough food to leave completely satisfied. It is one of the genuinely great pleasures of expat life in Korea.

Q: What Korean beer goes best with samgyeopsal? A: Cass Fresh is our answer — a clean light lager that complements the rich fatty pork belly perfectly without overwhelming the flavors of the meat and garlic. Hite is another popular choice at Korean BBQ restaurants. Both are ice cold affordable and exactly right for a long evening around the grill with good company.