3 Busan Spots Locals Actually Queue For: Spicy Stir-Fry, Cheese Pizza, and Dumplings

Past the tourist food streets, there’s a shorter list of places Busan locals genuinely go out of their way for. This covers three very different spots — a spicy octopus-and-rice-cake stir-fry, a Korean-style cheese pizza worth the wait, and an old-school dumpling shop tucked in an alley — with addresses, what to expect from the line, and what to order.

1. Nakgopsae (Spicy Octopus Stir-Fry) — Ant House / Gukine

Ant House (Maemi-jib, 개미집)

The basics 📍 Haeundae branch: 부산 해운대구 구남로 34 | 📍 Main branch (Jung-gu): 부산 중구 중구로30번길 21-1

What sets it apart This is the name that comes up most often when people search for Busan’s octopus stir-fry. Both the Haeundae and Seomyeon locations are easy to reach, so it fits into most itineraries without a detour. The dish itself is octopus, rice cake, intestine, and shrimp stir-fried together in a spicy sauce, with adjustable spice levels.

Picking a spice level Most first-timers do fine with the “medium” level — roughly comparable to spicy instant noodle heat, noticeable but not overwhelming. If you’re unsure how much heat you can handle, medium is the safer starting point.

How locals eat it Once the stir-fry is mostly gone, Koreans typically ask for rice to be fried right in the leftover sauce, then top it with chives, seaweed flakes, and bean sprouts. That fried rice finish is arguably the best part — just ask staff to add it in when you order.

Menu picks

Dish	Notes
Spicy octopus stir-fry	Octopus, rice cake, intestine, and shrimp — the signature dish
Cheese fried rice	Made from the leftover sauce, topped with chives and seaweed flakes

Google Maps: Haeundae branch / Main branch

Why it’s worth it: Ant House is the most recommended chain for this dish, a solid first-timer pick for convenient access without surprises.

Gukine Octopus Stir-Fry (국이네)

The basics 📍 부산 수영구 연수로 410

What sets it apart If Ant House is the well-known chain, Gukine is the spot you’d only find through a local tip — the kind of place Koreans genuinely go out of their way for. It’s near Suyeong Station, an easy add-on if you’re already planning a Gwangalli day.

Google Maps: View location

Why it’s worth it: For travelers who want something beyond the standard list, Gukine is the pick.

2. Lee Jaemo Pizza (이재모피자)

The basics 📍 Main branch: 부산 중구 광복중앙로 31 (walkable from Busan Station, Nampo-dong, and Gwangbok-ro) Beyond the main branch, there are also Busan Station, Jeonpo, and Seomyeon Central locations — worth checking if you’re staying farther from downtown. The main branch has a ground floor plus a second-floor annex; many reviews say the second floor is roomier. It’s a Blue Ribbon Survey honoree, reflecting years of local standing. The main branch is closed Sundays — hours may differ elsewhere, so confirm before you go.

What sets it apart Unlike Western-style pizza, this is a Korean take on a thick crust loaded with Imsil cheese. Nothing flashy about the space — it has that lived-in, decades-old neighborhood pizzeria feel. There’s a storage area and waiting space, so the wait isn’t too rough.

How the line works Registration is walk-in only, via the Catch Table app or an in-store kiosk — no remote or advance sign-up at the main branch. Worth knowing upfront.

Menu picks

Dish	Notes	Reference price
Lee Jaemo crust pizza	Cheese crust, ham crust, or half-and-half	~₩30,000
Premium kimchi fried rice	A side dish that overdelivers	~₩11,000
Baked cheese spaghetti	A popular side	~₩9,500

Visiting tips Expect a wait — weekends and holidays are a given, weekdays get busy too. To cut it, try an early weekday evening, or have one person register while the rest browse nearby. Right in front of Busan Station, so takeout works well too.

Google Maps: View main branch location

Why it’s worth it: The pizza place people register for the moment they step off the train — but walk-in registration only, no advance booking. If the main branch’s line looks daunting, the Busan Station, Jeonpo, and Seomyeon Central branches are there too.

3. Sinbalwon (신발원)

The basics 📍 부산 동구 대영로243번길 62 (near Busan Station) Cards accepted, dine-in and takeout available. Budget-friendly, with a regular closing day worth confirming.

What sets it apart Modest storefront, built its name on genuinely solid fried dumplings — pork and chive filling, fried until crisp. Alongside those, xiaolongbao and steamed dumplings are on offer too, each with a different wrapper texture. Small space, but quick turnover.

Menu picks

• Fried dumplings (the one to get) — crisp outside, tender inside, clear chive flavor
• Xiaolongbao / steamed dumplings — distinct wrapper textures
• Small orders work fine as a mid-itinerary snack

Visiting tips Takeout can be reserved via Naver Reservations, but the booking goes to a separate takeout-only branch next door (the “annex”) — a sister shop sharing the same kitchen; staff sometimes walk you over there if the main shop’s full. Sits naturally along a Busan Station–Chinatown–Texas Street route.

Google Maps: View location

Why it’s worth it: Plain storefront, solid filling — an easy, low-effort stop on the way in or out of Busan Station, even with luggage.

Before You Go

All three sit within Busan Station’s reach, so they can slot into the same day: the stir-fry as a full meal, Lee Jaemo’s wait as a chance to explore the block, Sinbalwon as a takeout snack on the way out.