Charcoal-grilled hanwoo sirloin and galbisal spread at Cheolma Hanwoo Chowon, Gijang

Cheolma Hanwoo Chowon: A Refreshed Hanwoo Grill House in Gijang, Busan

There’s one hanwoo place I keep coming back to whenever I’m out in Gijang. It’s Cheolma Hanwoo Chowon (철마한우초원). The place has been known for good beef for years, but they recently gave it a full renovation. The food is just as good as I remembered, and the space is so much cleaner and more put-together now. Honestly, I was a little surprised when I walked in. So here’s how the visit went. ...

March 3, 2026 · Andy
Korean set meal with bulgogi and many side dishes at Ulsan Restaurant near Bulguksa, Gyeongju

Ulsan Restaurant Near Bulguksa, Gyeongju: A Generous Korean Set Meal

We’d just walked down from Bulguksa Temple and were trying to figure out where to grab lunch. The restaurants right at the foot of the temple all looked similar, but one name stood out to me — Ulsan Restaurant (울산식당). It’s in Gyeongju, so why Ulsan? That little question is what pulled me in, and it turned out to be one of the better-known Korean spots in the area. The basics Here’s the practical stuff before anything else. ...

February 28, 2026 · Andy
Charcoal-grilled hanwoo short ribs at Sigol Galbi Sikdang in Andong

Sigol Galbi Sikdang: Charcoal-Grilled Hanwoo Short Ribs in Andong's Galbi Alley

When people think of Andong, they usually think of jjimdak (braised chicken) or salted mackerel. I did too. But on this trip I found out Andong is actually serious about beef. Right across from the old Andong Station there’s a whole alley of galbi restaurants — they call it the galbi golmok (갈비골목), the rib alley. The one I picked was Sigol Galbi Sikdang (시골갈비식당). It’s been on a Korean food show called Heo Young-man’s Baekban Travels, and I’d been curious about it for a while. ...

February 27, 2026 · Andy
Korean beef short rib grilling over charcoal at Haeundae Amsogalbi-jip in Busan

Haeundae Amsogalbi-jip: Eating Korean Beef Short Rib in Busan

If you’ve spent any time reading about food in Busan, you’ve probably come across this place. Haeundae Amsogalbi-jip (해운대암소갈비집) sits a short walk from Haeundae Beach, so it’s easy to wander down by the water and then head over for dinner. It’s been on Korean TV shows for years and made the Michelin Guide Busan list, so I’ll admit I walked in with high expectations. Korean beef short rib is not a cheap meal here, so I went prepared. ...

February 26, 2026 · Andy
A bowl of fresh sashimi noodles at Daegung Hoetown in Homigot, Pohang

Daegung Hoetown: Sashimi Noodles by the Sea in Homigot, Pohang

Ask anyone about Pohang and they’ll say mulhoe, the cold spicy raw fish soup. I thought the same. But driving the coastal road toward Homigot, I stumbled onto a place that’s actually better known for its sashimi noodles than its mulhoe. This is Daegung Hoetown (대궁회타운), a local spot for wild-caught sashimi noodles in Daedongbae-ri, Homigot-myeon, Pohang. The basics Name: Daegung Hoetown (대궁회타운) Address: 1866-13 Homi-ro, Homigot-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang Phone: 054-284-9462 Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 daily, no break time Closed: every Thursday Parking: plenty of space right in front Restroom inside the restaurant 📍 View Daegung Hoetown (대궁회타운) on Google Maps → ...

February 25, 2026 · Andy
Yukil mulhoe with abalone at Yukil Hoetjip in Jujeon, Ulsan

Yukil Hoetjip in Jujeon, Ulsan: Cold Mulhoe Loaded with Abalone

If you talk about mulhoe (물회), the cold raw-fish soup, in Ulsan, you end up talking about Jujeon. It’s a stretch of coast lined with seafood places, and the one with a constant crowd is Yukil Hoetjip (육일횟집). There’s a story behind the name. “Yukil” means six days, and the place is said to close on Sundays and open only six days a week because the owner goes to church. Take it or leave it. ...

February 24, 2026 · Andy
A bowl of saengbok jiri pufferfish soup at Jinhwa Bokguk in Ulsan

Jinhwa Bokguk in Ulsan: Clear Pufferfish Soup and Spicy Bok Bulgogi in Seongan-dong

There’s an old pufferfish spot tucked into Seongan-dong in Ulsan’s Jung-gu district, and it’s called Jinhwa Bokguk (진화복국). It sits in a small alley across from Hamwollu, near the Ulsan Police Agency. The kind of place everyone in the neighborhood already knows. I went on a day when my stomach felt heavy and I was craving a clear, warming bowl of soup, and I figured I’d write down the menu, prices, and parking details while it was all fresh in my mind. ...

February 22, 2026 · Andy
Beef shabu-shabu spread at Cheonghakdong Eonyang Bonjeom in Eonyang, Ulsan

Cheonghakdong Eonyang Bonjeom: Handmade Dumplings and Seafood-Broth Shabu-Shabu in Ulsan

Whenever I have something to do around Eonyang in Ulsan, there’s one place I almost always end up at. It’s Cheonghakdong Eonyang Bonjeom (청학동 언양본점). On paper it’s a kalguksu and handmade dumpling shop, but the real reason my family keeps coming back is the shabu-shabu. The basics Here’s the practical stuff first. ...

February 21, 2026 · Andy
Signature grilled chicken at Saengsaeng-gui Saengsaeng in Ulsan

Saengsaeng-gui Saengsaeng in Ulsan: Grilled Chicken and Pork Kimchi Stew Over Drinks

If you’re looking for a casual place to drink in Ulsan, Saengsaeng-gui Saengsaeng (생생구이생생) in Samsan-dong is one of those spots locals just call “Saengsaeng” and everyone knows. The name is a little confusing. It used to be “Saengsaeng-gui” with the word for grilled fish, and when they moved to a new location they changed it. The sign still leans toward fish, but the real star here is the grilled chicken. Took me a while to get my head around that too. ...

February 20, 2026 · Andy
Flame-grilled meat and hotpot rice set at Saerijae, Shinsegae Centum City, Busan

Saerijae at Shinsegae Centum City: Flame-Grilled Meat and Hotpot Rice in Busan

I ended up at Saerijae almost by accident. We’d spent the afternoon at Shinsegae Centum City looking at appliances, and by the time my feet hurt and my stomach was growling, I just wanted to sit down somewhere quiet. The basement food court was packed, so we wandered up to the restaurants on the 4th floor instead, and a plate of flame-grilled meat with warm hotpot rice sounded exactly right. ...

February 19, 2026 · Andy