Cod Fish Stew~ Haeundae Suk-ssi-won-han Daegutang, Mipo, Busan 해운대 미포 속씨원한 대구탕

Morning before we leave Busan, we came to Mipo for Daegutang. Dae-gu-tang (Cod Fish Soup) also known as large mouth soup. Daegu 大口 means big mouth. This place is another famous Busan mat-jib appeared in various famous local TV programmes. Many Korean actor and actress who been here for daegutang has left their signatures on the restaurant's wall. Daegutang has a different version up at North and down at South. In Northern region e.g. Seoul and Gyeonggi. cod fish stew is boiled with gochugaru and marinated sauce, therefore it is called Mae-un-tang 매운탕 (Spicy fish stew). While Southern region like Busan, the cod fish is boiled and served with clean plain broth without any seasoning which is the dae-gu-tang. Daegutang is also a perfect hangover soup among Koreans and it is operate 24 hours.

Daegutang 대구탕 @ 10,000 won is served with rice, and side dishes such as kimchi, gim (dried seaweed laver), seasoned beans sprouts, seasoned fish cake, seasoned radish, chili peppers, cut onions, dwenjang paste and soy sauce (for seasoning the soup). We also order Al-Mari 알마리 @ 6,000 won~ a jumbo seafood eggroll with big chunk of fresh crab meat and perilla leaf wrap inside the egg roll! So delicious!

This area name Mipo, Jung-dong in Haeundae is where the tourist take sightseeing cruise tour along the Busan harbor from Haeundae Mipo Ferry Terminal. As the restaurant is next to the coastline, Haeundae Beach can be view in whole from here. Opposite the restaurant is the fisher dock where fishermen who just return busy unload their catch of the day from the boat. What an interesting view with modern buildings such as Busan Marine City and hotels along Haeundae at the background while the ahjumas busy cleaning and sorting the fishes along the dock.

Apartment Stay & Buffet~ Grand Apple, Centum City, Busan 랜드애플 뷔페 센텀한샘빌딩

Day 2 in Busan. This time come back we stay at a service apartment in Centum city for the entire trip.  As it is summer, and it is common that old landed houses in Busan doesn't have air conditioner install at home. Only floor standing air conditioner at the living hall. In order to let us have a comfortable sleep and cool summer, we all go for an apartment stay. We celebrate Abeonim's birthday with buffet dinner at Grand Apple, Centum City. It's my first buffet experience in Korea. Beside the 5 stars hotel-like interior, the great variety of food from Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, American etc makes us feels like we are so spoil by the choice. The quality is assure too. Apparently it is one of the must try buffet restaurant in Busan. I didn't go thru many rounds but only 2 rounds mostly on assorted sashimi since I like raw seafood. We all have a good time with food~ buffet definitely is a good place to satisfy everyone's craving and taste. 

UNESCO World Heritage~ 통도사 Tongdosa, Yangsan

Day 3 in Busan. We visited Tongdosa - a UNESCO world heritage in Yangsan. It was rainning all the way when we visited Tongdosa there all the photos were so gloomy. Founded in 646 C.E. Tongdosa is not just a temple, but a museum that houses Buddha's genuine sacred relics, 19 provincial treasures and 794 culture assets designated by South Gyeongsang Province. Many of Tongdosa’s buildings were destroyed in the Seven Years War and later reconstructed. There are 35 buildings in total including Pagoda and 14 small temples. Tongdosa is also famous as there are no Buddha statues outside the temple. Before enter into Tongdosa, we first need to cross thru a stream via an acient style three arch bridge, followed by 3 gates (temples in Korea always has these gates). Beside the ancient temples, I am also amazed by the 100 years old pines trees that surrounds Tongdosa. Tongdosa is one of the most amazing temple I ever visit in Korea so far.

Cloud Hill Cafe~ Hwangnyeongsan, Busan 부산 황령산 구름고개 찻집

It is almost reach the end of summer when we arrived Busan yesterday. Weather is still hot. After lunch at Uam-dong, we drove up to Hwangnyeongsan and stop by at this highest cafe on top of the mountain to chill out. Located at Nam-gu, Hwangnyeongsan (also known as Geumryeonsan) is famous for Busan night view from the observation deck. This Cloud Hill Cafe which is just few meters away from the observation deck has an outdoor terrace with the great view of Busan metropolitan city - overlooking at Haeundae and Gwangan Daegyo as well.

The weather begin to cloudy when we were here. We order iced coffee, iced latte and iced cappuccino in order to enjoy the view at their terrace. Luckily it only started to rain after we chill out for about 20 minutes outside. We then moved to inside while waiting for rain stop. Inside the cafe is a cozy little cottage, with vintage rose fabric sofa that arrange in face to face position next to the large window. All seats has it's own window view and it's gives privacy to those who want to have a chat over a cup of coffee or tea. I will return for the night view next time when we back to Busan again.

Naeho Naengmyeon, Uam-dong, Busan 부산 남구 우암동 네호냉면

Uam-dong - a place hold a lot of childhood memories for him and his brothers. They attended primary school here for a few years before the family moved to another district, which is where their current house is and they never came back ever since the moved. Uam-dong is located next to the port, therefore shipping containers and container cranes can be seen along at the roadside. The neighbourhood still kept the old school Busan town feel compare to the modern districts in downtown.  

We are here not just revisit the neighbourhood, also for the famous Naeho Naengmyeon. Apparently, Busan style Naengmyeon is called Mil-myeon 밀면. There is a different between these two. Naengmyeon is using buckwheat noodle while Milmyeon use wheat flour noodle. Hot beef broth in a nickel silver kettle will be serve if you order Naengmyeon in Busan. I personally prefer Milmyeon simply because buckwheat noodle usually need longer time to chew before I can swallow it down. Their steam dumplings is a must not miss to try dish if you are here at Naeho Naengmyeon. 

This restaurant is hidden at a back of the shoplots from main road. Just look for their white signboard with black wording of 네호냉면 then you will find the place hidden behind the shoplosts at a road corner. There weren't any subway station nearby, the only way to be here besides personal car or taxi is via bus after alight at the nearest subway.

Take Busan Metro - Line 1 to Boemil-dong, Exit 9. From here, Take bus no.23 or no.68 to Uam-2-dong where the bus stop is in front of Korea Post. Turn right after Korea Post, walk up the slope 500m and look for signboard and you will find it.