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Welcome to Day 2 of my South Korea Travel Series post! Read Day 1 here.
Waking up in Busan, I was greeted by another crisp spring day. The forecast promised temperatures between 9°C and 17°C – a refreshing change from Singapore’s relentless heat. Feeling adventurous (and maybe a little overconfident), I decided to brave the weather in shorts. There’s something about spring air that makes you want to soak up every moment outdoors, even if your legs are freezing!
Our first stop was the Haeundae Traditional Market. I was surprised to find that most stalls weren’t open even at 11 AM. Unlike Malaysian markets, where vendors are bustling from as early as 6 or 7 AM, the pace here was much slower and more relaxed. Apparently, the market really comes alive at night, so morning visitors like us get a quieter experience.
For breakfast, we found 노홍만두, a humble mandu and noodle stall. There’s nothing quite like hot, piping mandu to warm you up on a chilly spring morning, but honestly, the food was more comforting than extraordinary.
We sampled the shrimp dumplings (₩8,000), kimchi dumplings (₩7,000), assorted dumplings (₩9,000), and each had a bowl of handmade kalguksu (₩7,000). The dumplings were served with a slightly salty dipping sauce that paired perfectly with the soft, chewy mandu skins.
The kalguksu – a warm, soupy dish – was just what I needed. Watching the Korean store lady make the noodles fresh, slicing them with a knife (hence the name “knife-cut noodles”), added a special touch to the meal.
As usual, the banchan (side dishes) were free flow – little perk I always appreciate when eating Korean cuisine. No matter what you order, you’re guaranteed some vegetables on your plate, which makes every meal feel a bit more balanced.
If you’re looking for some good old-fashioned Korean breakfast fare, I’d probably recommend giving this place a try. It’s simple, hearty, and just what you need to start a chilly spring morning in Busan.
After enjoying our mandu and noodles for brunch, we took some time to explore more of Haeundae Traditional Market. The alleyways were lined with stalls selling all sorts of local specialties – spicy rice cakes, corn dogs, makgeolli with real honeycomb, rice cakes, fish sticks, hotteok, honey ice cream, dumplings, and more. It was a feast for the senses, with delicious aromas wafting through the cool spring air.
I couldn’t resist sampling some of the famous Busan street food. I finally got to try honey and seed hotteok, a sweet, chewy Korean pancake I’d only ever seen in K-dramas. The stall I chose is either the first or last one you’ll see, depending on which entrance you use to enter Haeundae Traditional Market street. Watching the vendor expertly prepare each hotteok while a non-stop queue of locals and tourists formed made it clear this was a must-try.
Interestingly, the vendor uses a self-service payment system: there are trays for coins, ₩1,000, and ₩5,000 notes, plus a basket for larger bills. This lets the vendor focus on making hotteok without handling money between each customer. By the time I got mine, the line was still going strong. The hotteok was warm, gooey, and just sweet enough – a perfect treat for a chilly morning in Busan.
I also wanted to try some jeon, the savoury Korean pancake. We ordered the kimchi pancake and chive pancake at ₩2,000 each, but honestly, they were just okay. The stall also offered a variety of other fried treats like deep-fried squid, shrimp, chicken, and all kinds of jeon. But after our breakfast and the hotteok, we were already quite full.
As we wandered through the area, I stumbled upon an arcade stall featuring the classic shooting gun game target you often see in K-dramas and variety shows. Walking past several arcade stores during my trip, I noticed that almost all of them had a small section dedicated to these shooting gun game targets.
What really stood out to me is how common these games are in Korea’s arcades, especially in places like Haeundae. Unlike the arcades in Malaysia or Singapore, where you’re more likely to find racing simulators, rhythm games, or claw machines as the main attractions, Korean arcades almost always feature these shooting target games as a staple. They’re simple, fun, and often attract both locals and tourists who want to live out a little piece of their favourite K-drama or variety show moment.
Not far from the arcade, we spotted OSULLOC – a name I’d heard before as one of Korea’s finest and most luxurious tea brands. Their menu is a green tea lover’s dream, packed with green tea drinks, snacks, and desserts.
I opted for the Camellia Flower Tea, a fragrant blend with camellia and tropical fruits. We skipped the desserts this time since we were still full from brunch and all the market snacks.
I have to admit that the tea itself felt just so-so to me – nothing particularly special or memorable. Maybe it’s because I’m not a tea connoisseur and don’t really know how to appreciate the subtle notes of high-quality tea, but the Camellia Flower Tea I tried didn’t stand out in any remarkable way. The experience was pleasant enough, especially as a quick pit stop during a day of exploring.
With only the Busan Sky Capsule on our agenda for the day, we had plenty of time to soak in the spring atmosphere. We took a leisurely stroll along Haeundae Beach – the sea was calm, the sky was clear, and it truly felt like the perfect spring day. Honestly, I found myself wishing I could pause time and just enjoy the cool breeze and sound of the waves, far from the stress of daily life.
While waiting for our next activity, we decided to grab a snack at McDonald’s. I have a tradition of trying McDonald’s in every country I visit, and Korea was no exception. This time, I went for the Spicy Shanghai Burger, which is Korea’s answer to Singapore’s McSpicy. A medium burger set here cost ₩8,700 – pretty comparable to Singapore’s prices.
The taste verdict? Unfortunately, I have to say I prefer the Singapore version. The patty here was ground up like a spicy version of McChicken, with a decent sauce but an underwhelming texture. Wouldn’t recommend it over the original! Still, it’s always fun to see how global chains adapt to local tastes.
| Did you know? There is a Big Mac Index, published by The Economist, which tracks the price of a McDonald’s Big Mac in different countries. It’s used as an informal measure of purchasing power parity between currencies, essentially indicating whether exchange rates are overvalued or undervalued based on the price of a Big Mac. |
At 4 PM, it was finally time for the highlight of the day – visiting the award-winning Haeundae Blueline Park.
What’s famous here is the iconic Sky Capsule ride. It’s easily one of Busan’s most social media worthy attractions. The 30-minute ride from Mipo Station to Cheongsapo Station offered breathtaking views of Busan’s coastline, calm blue seas, and two iconic lighthouses by the docks. The pastel-coloured pods, ocean backdrops, and unique vantage points make this attraction a true social-media darling.
We’d booked our Sky Capsule tickets in advance on Trip.com (also available on Klook), and the anticipation was absolutely worth it. If you prefer a more classic ride, the Haeundae Beach Train is another fantastic way to enjoy the coast, with large windows and frequent departures.
| Sky Capsule Ticket Prices (One-way, Mipo to Cheongsapo): 2 people: ₩40,000 3 people: ₩45,000 4 people: ₩50,000 Note: Solo riders pay the 2-person rate, as each capsule is private. |
| Beach Train Ticket Prices: One-way: ₩8,000 Round-trip: ₩12,000 All-stops pass (unlimited boarding at all 6 stations for the day): ₩16,000 Note: The beach train departs at 00, 30, and 45 minutes past each hour. |
| Combo Ticket Prices (Capsule + Beach Train All-Stops): 2-person: ₩65,000 3-person: ₩78,000 4-person: ₩94,000 |
While waiting to board the Sky Capsule, I was fascinated by the ingenious way the pods are rotated at the station. Unlike traditional cable cars, which typically use a continuous loop system for boarding and disembarking, the Sky Capsule pods at Haeundae Blueline Park employ a clever mechanism. At the end of the track, the capsule that has just completed its journey is rotated 180 degrees. This rotation positions the pod to begin its return trip along the scenic coastal track. There are also additional capsule pods that can be added onto the track depending on the demand.
Just outside Cheongsapo Station, you’ll find two picturesque lighthouses – a classic white one and a bright red beacon – standing watch over the pebble beach. The area is perfect for photos and a peaceful moment by the sea.
You can choose to ride the capsule or beach train back, but we decided to walk the scenic route instead, following the Busan Green Railway trail (2.3 km, about a 20–30 minute walk). Spring is hands down the best season for this walk – cool breezes and clear skies make it a delight, unlike the sweltering humidity back home in Singapore!
Along the way, there are plenty of spots where you can climb down for a closer look at the ocean. One highlight is the observatory, whereby a section of it is glass-bottomed, curved sea-pier walkway that juts about out over the water. It’s perfect for dramatic ocean views and photos, though the wind up there can be absolutely biting in spring.
| Observatory Opening Hours: Dec–Feb: 09:10 – 19:50 Mar–May: 09:10 – 20:50 Jun–Aug: 09:10 – 21:50 Sep-Nov: 09:10 – 20:50 |
Along the walk back, we were delighted to still see some cherry blossom flowers blooming, adding a touch of delicate beauty to the scenic route and reminding us of the fleeting magic of spring.
The shoreline is dotted with stacks of human-made pebble stone piles, adding a unique touch to the scenery. If you plan to walk or explore the rocks, make sure to wear good shoes – the rocks can get slippery, and a fall here is no joke. This stretch of Busan’s coast is truly a highlight, and walking it in the cool spring breeze made me appreciate just how perfect this season is for exploring the city.
After a full day of sightseeing, we headed to a nearby Korean BBQ spot, 대남생포갈비 (Daenam Saengpo Galbi), for dinner. This restaurant is just a short walk from Haeundae Blueline Park.
One thing to note: there’s a minimum order of three meat portions per table. We settled on two servings of black pork ribs (₩15,000 each) and one portion of spicy pork belly (₩14,000). While the meat was well-marinated, I did notice the portions were smaller compared to what you’d get at Korean BBQ chains in Malaysia or Singapore.
The complimentary banchan and kimchi flavours’ were milder than what I’m used to back home. It made me realise that the kimchi in Singapore and Malaysia might actually be localised to suit our bolder, spicier palates! If you love punchy, tangy kimchi, you will notice the difference here in Busan.
We also tried the soybean paste soup (₩3,000). It’s a classic Korean staple, but its earthy, fermented taste can be an acquired one – definitely more for adventurous eaters.
The real star of the meal, though, was the bibim naengmyeon (₩7,000). These cold, spicy, and chewy noodles were a revelation! It was my first time trying Korean cold noodles, and I was instantly hooked. The refreshing kick of spice and the unique texture made it the perfect end to a hearty BBQ dinner.
| Did you know? Naengmyeon, a Korean cold noodle dish, is typically made with buckwheat noodles, often combined with starches like potato or sweet potato for a chewy texture. The broth is traditionally a chilled broth made from dongchimi (radish kimchi water) or beef broth. |
After dinner, we popped into e-mart, Korea’s answer to Singapore’s FairPrice or Malaysia’s Giant. Contrary to popular belief, e-mart isn’t the bargain paradise you might expect – prices are comparable to, or sometimes higher than, what you’d find back home.
On our walk back to LCT Residence, I noticed one of Busan’s clever urban touches: illuminated zebra crossings. At night, the start of each crossing lights up – glowing green when it’s safe to cross and turning red when it’s not. This smart feature is perfect for our phone-obsessed generation, making it much easier to spot when it’s safe to cross the street – even if you’re looking down at your screen.
Of course, I couldn’t resist grabbing another salted bread from Jayeondo Sogeumppang on the way back. Honestly, it’s that good – fluffy, perfectly salted, and irresistibly moreish. If you’re in the area, don’t miss it!
I usually rely on Apple AirTags to keep tabs on my travel bags, but when I tried to check my bag’s location in Busan, I was surprised to see its last known position was still in Singapore. A quick Google search revealed why: for over 15 years, Apple’s Find My service – used to track iPhones, AirTags, AirPods, and more – was blocked in South Korea.
Unlike nearly every other country, South Korea’s iPhones, AirTags, and other Apple devices simply couldn’t be tracked if lost or stolen. Many assumed this was due to strict local mapping or privacy laws, but in reality, there was no explicit legal barrier. Apple cited “internal policy” and vague references to local regulations, but never gave a clear explanation. The issue became so frustrating that a Korean user launched a national petition and media campaign in 2024, eventually garnering over 9,000 signatures and national TV coverage.
The pressure worked. In September 2024, Apple announced it would finally enable Find My in Korea as part of the iOS 18.4 update, with the rollout set for spring 2025. As of April 1, 2025, Apple users in Korea can now track their devices and AirTags just like anywhere else in the world.
One thing you’ll quickly notice while exploring Busan, or anywhere in South Korea, is the surprising lack of public trash cans. At first, it can be a bit frustrating, especially if you’re used to the convenience of bins on every street corner back home. But there’s a fascinating reason behind this scarcity, rooted in the country’s approach to waste management.
Since 1995, South Korea has implemented a “pay-as-you-throw” waste disposal system. Under this policy, residents are required to purchase special government-issued bags for household waste. The cost of these bags is based on their size, which means the more you throw away, the more you pay. This system was designed to encourage recycling, reduce landfill waste, and make people more mindful of what they discard.
To prevent people from dodging the fees by dumping their household trash in public bins, many cities, including Busan removed most street trash cans. The result? You’ll rarely find a bin on sidewalks or in parks.
For me, as a tourist, the only places I could find trash cans to dispose rubbish were usually inside shopping malls, train stations, or convenience stores.
Writing these posts and looking through my photos makes me feel like I’m right back there, travelling again. That’s why I pen down my experiences – to relive these memories and share them with you. I really do miss spring weather, especially compared to Singapore’s current blistering heatwave.
Have you ever tried hotteok or walked along a spring beach in Busan? What’s your favourite local market discovery? Let me know in the comments below – I’d love to hear your stories and tips!
Read the rest of the series here:
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