The BEST Attractions in Busan South Korea Cruise Port For Foodies

South Korea isn't typically on my radar as a cruising destination, but in recent years with the emergence of cruise travel to Japan, people are flocking to the Asian nation for KPop, Bimbimbap and really great shopping opportunities.

Often listed as a port of call on Japan cruise itineraries, Busan is one of the most populous South Korean cruise ports you will visit. There's plenty to do for everyone, ranging from an exciting day of dining and shopping to an epic day exploring temples or even a kitschy theme park. If you have only one day in Busan or more, read on for more details on the best attractions in Busan Cruise Port!

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A Day in Busan Cruise Port

If you love to shop, then Busan will be a heavenly place for you to visit! As you may realize if you are a frequent reader, shopping and dining are pretty much the only thing I do in port towns, but I've included some great tours and other Busan attractions for visitors who like to see and do more in port.

Let's first dig into some details that are good to know!

Getting from Busan Cruise Port to Downtown Busan

Most ships will bus passengers into town for free on giant charter buses. In my experience, the bus will drop you off in a busy shopping area called Nampodong, full of Daiso stores (Japanese 100 Yen Shops but in Korea they are 1000 Won shops) and other modern shopping opportunities.

Busan Port view from the ship

Markets to Seek in Busan

Literally my favorite pastime whenever I travel, seeking out local markets is the most essential thing to do in Busan if you want to immerse yourself in the culture.

Expect to find a lot of food vendors (much more on that below), and don't be shy about stopping when you see something that looks good.

Gukje Market

For housewares and clothing, seek out Gukje Market. I spent a couple of hours roaming the market and the adjacent indoor and outdoor lanes with my mother, both of us so crazed for bargains that we had to split up and meet later.

For rummagers, seek out 1000 Won piles, where you sift through used clothing marked as $1 per item. I found some really unique Asian style blouses this way!

Nampo Underground Shopping Center

There is an underground shopping center called Nampo Underground Shopping Center, accessible by where the bus drops you off, near the Daiso store. Head down there for some good bargains on man bags and pajamas.

Pajamas are everywhere in Busan (I purchased some of my favorite PJs here) so be sure to bring some home.

Jagalchi Market

For the local seafood market, seek out Jagalchi Market and Sindunga Fish Market. These are adjacent to one another down by the waterfront (just a few minutes added walk from the Nampodong area).

Jagalchi is South Korea's largest seafood market and very active, so don't expect to shop but moreso browse and gawk. Take photos, pop into some of the local shops nearby, and move on.

Tips for Shopping in Busan

I recommend getting Korean cash from your home bank before arriving in Korea.

The malls and established storefronts will take credit cards, but you will need to hit the ATM if you plan to shop in the markets, which typically only take cash. Optionally, here is some advice on getting currency in advance of your trip.

I recall having to make quite the trek to find an ATM in Busan, perhaps because not all ATMs accept foreign cards. Look for a bank ATM and godspeed.

Dining in Busan

The best food in Busan to look for will be to find familiar favorite Korean dishes like:

• Bibimbap (rice and meat dish often served in a hot pot)

• Ramyeon (Korean Ramen Noodles)

• Kimbap (A sushi-like seaweed wrapped treat, often found as street food)

• Korean Corn Dog (street food favorite with mystery sausage or fish inside)

• Korean BBQ (bulgogi and kalbi are favorites standbys)

• Makgeolli (a delicious milky fermented drink - if you've had pulque in Mexico, it's similar)

Adventurous eaters will also want to seek out some stranger, more local to Busan flavors:

Jjukkumi (Baby Octopus) and Brisket

My parents were in Busan more recently than me and humorously thought they were getting traditional, familiar Korean Barbecue, but then out came this plate of octopus. It squirmed on the griddle as it cooked!

Thankfully, they report that it ended up being amazing, much like our beloved pulpo from Spain, done up with crispy bits from vegetables on the hot griddle. I'd try it!

I believe Nampo Jjukkumi is the name of the restaurant they found it at.

Kongbul

While I was in Busan, we discovered a dish called Kongbul. It also starts with a tabletop griddle, but comes out with all sorts of bean sprouts and meats. We opted in for a spicier, kimchi flavored profile, but you can also choose milder more basic options.

If you like the crunchy socarrat that is the crispy rice at the bottom of paella pans, then you'll love how kongbul solidifies into a crispy, yummy fried rice before you finish your meal.

Look for this at "Kongbul" restaurant, located on a bustling stretch of restaurants on Nampo-gil street. It's just kitschy enough to make your day in Busan Port perfect! I mean, check those amazing orange aprons we got to wear.

Make time for BIFF Square, Busan's Street Food Mecca

Foodies will want to start where they are dropped off, around BIFF Square, and follow their nose through kiosks and vendors leading towards nearby Changseon-dong Food Alley (Changseon-dong Meogjja-golmok).

The colorful vendors all display prices and even English translations, so it's easy to stop and sample as you wish!

We saw all sorts of great options from skewered meats, candied fruits to even roasted marshmallow ice cream!

Changseon-dong Food Alley

Throughout your walk through BIFF square and beyond, you'll notice lots of lanes full of great options from kimbap to dumplings.

Look how cute my mom is here, she couldn't get enough dumplings - and Korean dumplings are REALLY good!

Be sure to stop and grab a stool at any of these places to enjoy some local flavors.

There will be plenty of street food to choose from, or follow your nose and you'll likely find a winner for lunch before returning to the ship.

Tours and Attractions in Busan South Korea

If a day of shopping and dining sounds like a nightmare to you, here are some other great things to do for a day in Busan Cruise port.

If you are looking for unique things to do in Busan, I think these three tours out of town offer the most authentic South Korean history, fused with some truly amazing culinary treats, too.

My Busan Tour Picks:

• Outside of town, visit the Seokbulsa Temple and Geumjeongsanseong Fortress, along with the Songdo cable car ride and traditional Korean lunch with this tour. There is a bit of hiking involved, so be aware!

  
  

• An hour from Busan, discover the ancient and very off-the-beaten-path Tongdosa Temple. This tour will take you there, and as part of it you will experience a unique bulgogi lunch like you've never had it before!

• Not for the faint of heart (or of stomach, I guess) - there is a traditional oyster farming village near Busan, and this tour will not only take you there, but your guide will help you to try some of the freshest and best oyster dishes that Busan offers.

  
  

  I recently visited Leucate Oyster Village in France, and I was in seventh heaven. Undoubtedly, this unique experience near Busan will measure up. Try for yourself on this tour.

Pro tip: if you like seafood, locals and tourists flock to Haeundae Beach for not only the sandy beach, but for its great waterfront seafood joints. Worth a visit if you can't make it out to the oyster village!

For other Busan attractions including temple tours and classic experiences, check these options out:

• Take a Beomeosa Temple tour, including bibimbap at the temple

  
  

• Visit Haeundae Blue Line Park, which has an adorable mini train to take passengers along waterfront rails. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking a bit of outdoor time without fuss.

  
  

• Spend a day living out your South Korean Theme Park fantasies at Lotte World Busan. Get your tickets here - they're only about $25!

  
  

  

  Me in Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul about 15 years ago

  
  

• A Private Tour includes visiting the best beaches in Busan like Gwangalli Beach, scenic sites like Seunghak Mountain, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, and even the markets mentioned in this article. Typically private tours can be customized to your preferences.

  
  

• Another Private Tour, this one includes Songdo cable car, Gamcheon Culture Village and many other previously mentioned Busan attractions. Pro tip for Instaworthy pics: Check out Gamcheon Culture Village for its colorful hillside houses, great for photographers!

If you like to play it safe and stick close to Nampoyong, you can also visit the Busan Sky Tower for great views of the city and the water. Get your tickets online here.

There is also a bamboo forest near Busan called Ahopsan Forest, where you can take a nice drive out to experience some tranquility.

Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul

Other South Korea Cruise Ports

Jeju Island is where the Koreans go for vacation, so it's great for tourist activities featuring UNESCO recognized volcanic landscapes and intricate lava tube systems. Learn more about the tour offerings on Jeju Island here.

If you go - be sure to make time for Jeju black pork BBQ. It's like the wagyu beef of Korea - griddled overall hot table top grill.

Incheon (Seoul) Cruise Port is another obvious port that I have visited twice many years ago for longer stays. You can see just how young I look in the photos above!

Sokcho and Yeosu are two other popular cruise ports, but not as commonly on Japanese itineraries.

For More Information

For more information, consult my port planning services on Fiverr, or check out my Japan content if your trip extends further.