When you think of Busan, South Korea, what food comes to mind first? For a lot of people, the answer is instant: dwaeji gukbap, Busan’s iconic pork and rice soup. You can find it all over Korea, but there’s something especially memorable about eating it in Busan—the city’s history, everyday local life, and deep-rooted food culture all seem to come through in one steaming bowl of Busan pork soup.
Apparently there was even a whole “gukbap summit” today, and honestly, I’m so curious what kind of conversations came out of it.
Personally, I’m a little sad Yeongdo Hwamokjeong didn’t make the list, since it’s one of my favorites…
Anyway—
after a massive vote with more than 13,000 Busan residents participating, the “2026 Busan Citizens’ Recommended Pork Soup” has finally revealed its 20 selected spots. So which local favorites and hidden gems made the cut? Let’s take a look.
1. 2026 Busan Citizens’ Recommended Busan Pork Soup Top 20
The 20 places revealed this time were selected in alphabetical order, regardless of ranking, and are filled with genuine local eateries hidden in every corner of Busan. Keep an eye out to see if any of them are in your neighborhood or on your travel route! I haven’t been able to visit them all myself… but I’ll briefly share my experiences at the places I have been to.
1. 1953 Bros Pork Soup Main Branch (@1953bros.official) – 29-1, Yongso-ro 13beon-gil, Nam-gu, Busan
– This is a gukbap (rice soup) restaurant that is currently trending in Busan thanks to various collaborations! I also tasted their gukbap at the Christmas Village last winter.
2. 60-Year Tradition Halmae Gukbap – 4, Jungang-daero 533beon-gil, Dong-gu, Busan
– A representative restaurant in Beomil-dong. Their tender boiled pork set meal is very popular!
3. Second, Neulhaerang – 24, Yangji-ro 5beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan
– This was a gukbap restaurant I frequented when I was working briefly in Yangjeong; despite the huge space, it was always packed with people.
4. Mokchon Pork Soup Yeonsan City Hall Branch (@mokchon_yeonsan) – 73, Jungangcheon-ro, Yeonje-gu, Busan
– Although Mokchon Pork Soup is a franchise, it is one of the oldest and most famous places in Busan.
5. Seo Jin-seob Pork Soup (@jinseob_s) – 30-1, Gwangbok-ro 39beon-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
6. Somunnan Pork Soup Bupyeong-dong Branch – 27, Bupyeong 1-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
7. Subyeon Choego Pork Soup Minlak Main Branch (@sbbest__porksoup) – 9-32, Gwanganhaebyeon-ro 370beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan
– When you think of Suyeong, you think of Subyeon Choego Pork Soup! It is open 24 hours, so it is great that you can go anytime. This is the boiled pork jowl.
8. Suyeong Dwaeji Gukbap – 6 Muhak-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan
9. Sikbok Dwaeji Gukbap (@sikbok_official) – 468-1 Suyeong-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan
10. Sinchang Gukbap Main Branch – 53 Bosu-daero, Seo-gu, Busan
– It is synonymous with clear soup. There are a total of 4 locations in Busan alone.
11. Twins Dwaeji Gukbap Main Branch (@twinsporksoup) – 35-1 UN Pyeonghwa-ro, Nam-gu, Busan
– It is one of the very famous places in Daeyeon-dong. I used to go there often when I was young; they have made a lot of money and have continued to expand their stores, and there is even another one right across the street. It is famous for its boiled pork jowl!
12. Onammae Pig Gookbab Jeonggwan Branch (@5namme_pig_gookbab) – 6, Guyeon 2-ro, Jeonggwan-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan
13. Yeongjin Pig Gookbab Main Branch – 39, Hasinbeonyeong-ro 157beon-gil, Saha-gu, Busan
– For those in the Saha area, it’s a must-visit for Yeongjin Pig Gookbab! It’s delicious. A place I often stop by before catching a flight!
14. Uri Pig Gookbab (@uridaegi_gookbab_love) – 27-1, Choryang-ro, Dong-gu, Busan
– If you want to eat a rich-flavored gookbab, it’s Uri Pig Gookbab. It’s a long-standing establishment, and you can see the pork gookbab boiling vigorously in a large cauldron.
15. Ibagu Gukbap – 355, Gaya-daero, Sasang-gu, Busan
16. Jamae Gukbap (@lee_ssanghyun) – 56, Minlakbondong-ro 27beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan
17. Cheonghwabaek Dwaeji Gukbap Gwangalli Branch – 18, Namcheonbada-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan
18. Haeundae Halmaejip (@heyoungsek) – 7, Jungdong 2-ro 10beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan
19. Hapcheon Gukbapjip – 1F, 237, Yongho-ro, Nam-gu, Busan
– Hapcheon Gukbap, famous for being located across from the old bus terminal in Yongho-dong, was listed in the 2026 Michelin Guide. It is a gukbap that is delicious when eaten with chives.
20. Hwanamjeong Dwaeji Gukbap Main Branch (@hwanamjeong) – 50, Seongji-ro, Busanjin-gu, Busan
– It is one of the places everyone visits when going to Choeup. They also serve pork jowl here, and a Myeongji branch recently opened.
It’s a real shame that Hwamokjeong Pork Soup in Yeongdo and Goejeongjip in Choryang, which I personally like, are missing from the list.
Source: Busan Metropolitan City
2. What’s Next: Kakao Map Citizen Voting Coming Soon
So in 2026, which restaurant will be crowned the Busan pork soup favorite that Busan locals love most? The next exciting round is coming up soon.
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Voting period: September 28 to October 14
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How to participate: Citizen voting will take place through Kakao Map
Both locals and travelers will be able to vote directly for the gukbap restaurant they want to support through Kakao Map. And if you’re into Busan food culture, keep an eye out for the upcoming brand-specific content too.
Today, I shared the 20 restaurants selected as the “2026 Busan Citizens’ Recommended Pork Soup” list, chosen by more than 13,000 Busan residents. If you’re planning a Busan trip this fall, this is a great list to bookmark for a warm, filling, and seriously satisfying food tour.
If you found today’s post helpful, please leave a like and a comment.Good Day will be back with even more useful local restaurant picks and festival updates soon. Thanks so much for reading 🙂
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