Like its capital city Seoul, South Korea’s second largest city, Busan, has so much to offer. It also has the added advantage of having a huge coastline and amazing beaches, while also home to some of the best seafood in the country! As a Muslim traveller, however, it might be a bit difficult to find which restaurants are suitable for you to dine at, plus, not everyone wants to eat seafood for all meals! To satisfy all your food cravings, here’s your guide to some of Busan’s Muslim-friendly food spots.
Disclaimer: Several of the eateries mentioned in this article are not halal certified despite using halal ingredients as they serve alcoholic beverages (which is the norm for most eateries in Busan). We recommend that you dine at your own discretion. If you are not sure about the ingredients used, do clarify with the owner/chef of the restaurant Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates:https://bit.ly/3LnFN1F
Haeundae Beach
1. Eobu (어부)
No trip to Busan is complete without trying its delicious seafood, and Eobu is a great place to do so! This seafood restaurant is located near Haeundae beach and serves up delicious seafood dishes, including its specialty of seafood grilled over a charcoal fire. The HHWT team ate there recently during a recent trip to Busan and loved it (read more about it in our 4D3N itinerary for Busan).
The restaurant is rated Muslim-friendly by the Korea Tourism Organisation – it serves only seafood and no alcohol is used in preparing the dishes (though please note that as with many local restaurants, alcoholic beverages are served. We advise you to dine at your own discretion.
Halal status: Seafood-only restaurant. Please note that alcoholic beverages are served, we advise you to dine at your own discretion.
Opening Hours: 4pm – 2am
Price: Sharing meals start from 39,000 won
Address: 540-17, U-dong, Haeundae-gu Getting there: 10 - 15-minute walk from Haeundae beach, or about a 5-minute walk from Haeundae station
2. Hello India Al-Waha (Temporarily Closed)
This amazing spread welcomes you! Credit:Hello India Al- Waha on Facebook Hello India Al-Waha located near Haeundae Beach serves an unusual combination of Indian and Lebanese cuisine. If you stop by here, we recommend you to feast upon their Lebanese menu loaded with lamb and chicken kebabs, barbecued meat platters, hummus and fresh salads. For good value-for-money food, order their set lunch menu worth only 12,000 won that comes with a salad, tandoori chicken, fresh bread, chicken curry and briyani rice! Couldn’t get any better right?
Treat yourself to a nice hot cup of Chai! Credit:Hello India Al- Waha on Facebook
Note: This restaurant serves alcohol, but all the food is prepared using halal ingredients only, so do dine at your own discretion!
Halal status: Uses halal ingredients (please note that alcoholic beverages are served, we recommend you to dine at your own discretion)
Operating hours: 11am – 11pm
Address: 542-32 U-dong, Haeundae Beach, Busan.
How to get there: Take the Busan subway line to Haeundae beach and move toward exit 3. The restaurant is located very close to the beach and easy to locate.
Telephone no: +82-51-731-2015
3. Namaste Haeundae
Credit: @blancheeze on Instagram
Sometimes, there’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of curry and hot Naan bread! If you are craving for some comfort food while travelling, make a stop at Namaste - one of the most popular restaurants for Indian cuisine around Haeundae beach. For those meat lovers, don’t forget to order their lamb vindaloo, chicken do pyaaza, prawn curry and tandoori chicken. Alternatively, their palak paneer (cottage cheese in creamy spinach sauce) and aloo goobi (mix of potatoes and cauliflowers) will leave you craving for more!
Credit: @kaeguri18 on Instagram
Halal status: Uses halal ingredients (please note that alcoholic beverages are served here. We recommend that you dine at your own discretion)
Operating hours: 11 am – 11 pm
Address: B1-7, HaeundaeHaebyeon-ro 265beon-gil, Haeundae Beach, Busan.
How to get there: Take the Busan subway line to Haeundae Beach and walk toward the beach. The restaurant is located right behind the mini Cooper/ BMW dealership.
Telephone number: +82-51-746-1946
4. Punjab Indian Restaurant
Credit: @tyraaaaaaas on Instagram
Punjab Indian Restaurant is located along Gunam-ro Street close to Haeundae Beach and is an eatery serving halal Indian and Pakistani food. The restaurant's proximity to Haeundae Beach makes it a convenient option while you're visiting the area, plus its location right on Gunam-ro Street means you can browse around the shops afterwards or just take in the festive atmosphere of the street, especially during summer nights!
Halal status: Uses halal ingredients.
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Opening Hours: 11am - 11pm
Contact no.: +82 51-731-1947
Address: 1393-31 Jung 1(il)-dong, Haeundae, Busan, South Korea
Getting there: Short walk away from Haeundae beach (walk towards Haeundae metro station along Gunam-ro street). The restaurant is located near Burger King and is on the second floor.
5. Jagalchi Market
Credit: @nov.lynn on Instagram
It is an absolutely impossible task to end any trip to Busan without visiting this iconic market place. Jagalchi market is Korea’s largest fish market and is filled to the brim with restaurants selling both fresh and dried fish dishes. Whether you are a sashimi enthusiast, shellfish lover or enjoy simple grilled mackerel, you will find all that you desire here. Take a stop at any restaurant that appeals to you and sample some of Korea’s best seafood amidst the hustle and bustle of Jagalchi Market. Or eat your fill of fresh shell fish!
Credit: @lingjiayee on Instagram
Halal status: Seafood options available. We recommend double-checking with the respective stall owners that dishes prepared do not include alcohol. Please also note that alcoholic beverages are served here. We recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
Address: 52 Jagalchihaean-ro, Nampo-dong, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea
Operating Hours: 5:00 am – 8:00 pm (Closed on first and third Tuesday of every month)
How to get there: Take Busan Subway Line 1 to Jagalchi Market.
Jagalchi Market
6. Warung Jaya Mbak Tia
Credit: @yudysushanto on Instagram
If you're craving for some Indonesian food while in Busan, look no further! Warung Jaya is a new eatery that opened in Busan only earlier this year conveniently located in Nampo-dong, close to BIFF square. Serving up Indonesian favourites like bebek goreng, soto ayam and mee goreng, you'll get a familiar taste of Southeast Asian flavours here?
Credit: @shirleyo825 on Instagram
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Operating hours: Mon, Thu, Fri; 12:30pm-10pm | Tue; 11:30am-10pm | Wed; 1pm-10pm | Sat-Sun; 11:0am-10pm
Address: South Korea, Busan, Jung-gu, Changseondong 1(il)-ga, Gwangbok-ro 49beon-gil, 4 kwangbuk-ro 49beon kil 4 si
How to get there: Take the Busan subway Line 1 to Jagalchi market and move toward exit 7. BIFF square is only a 5 min walk away. Walk along Gwang-bok-ro street - the restaurant is located opposite KFC, at the intersection of Gwang-bok-ro and Gudeok-ro 49beon-gil streets
Telephone number: +82 10-8586-0956
7. Bombay Brau (Nampo-dong & Gunamro Street)
Number 9 on our list is another eatery serving up delicious Indian food, and the best part is, there are outlets located in both Nampo-dong and near Haeundae beach! The HHWT team at the Nampo-dong branch during our last trip to Busan, which was conveniently located along the Gwangbok-ro Culture & Fashion Street.
The restaurant located on the first floor, so look out for the entrance that leads you up the staircase to the restaurant. We tried the naan, the butter chicken as well as the palak paneer while we were there, and they made for a delicious combination!
Halal status: Uses halal ingredients. Please note that alcoholic beverages are served. We advise you to dine at your own discretion.
Opening Hours: Open daily; 11am – 10pm
Price: Dishes start from 15,000 won
Address: 75, Gwangbok-ro, Jung-Gu
8. Bakso Bejo
Credit: @akmalanuwar on Instagram
Another Indonesian eatery located near BIFF Square, Bakso Bejo Korea offers a fully Indonesia menu with dishes such as bakso, rendang, nasi goreng, beverages such as jus alpukat and more! The eatery also has a prayer area available.
Another plus for Bakso Bejo Korea is that it actually sells Indonesia food products! So if you're looking to stock up on Mi Goreng or need that bottle of kicap to tide you over during your trip, you'll be able to find it here! The restaurant is located on the second floor, on top of a bakery and near to Basking Robbins and Lloyd Gift Shop.
Halal status: Muslim-owned Facebook
Opening Hours: 10am - 9.30pm
Address: Changseondong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea
9. Samarkand (near Busan Chinatown and Busan station)
Have you ever tried some Uzbek cuisine? If not, stop by Samarkand situated in the heart of Busan’s China Town (ironically). From serving hearty meals such as lamb skewers, chicken schnitzel, grilled beef, deep fried dumplings to simple affairs such as beef noodle soup and samsa (pastry filled with meat), Samarkand is highly recommended if you want to experiment with Uzbek cuisine. At the end of the meal, treat yourself to a slice of Russian cake and wash it down with freshly brewed black tea!
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Operating hours: 10 am – 10pm
Address: 363-2 Choryang 2 dong, Dong-gu, Busan
How to get there: Take the subway line 1 to Busan station and move toward exit 9. Samarkand is a 5 min walk away.
Telephone number: +82-51-466- 4734
10. Goma Daegutang (고마대구탕)
Daegutang, or cod fish stew, is a warm and refreshing dish, fit for the first meal in Busan ? Served with radish and scallions added to the light and milky broth, it’ll give you lots of energy for exploring. If you’re a spice lover, request for daegu maeuntang instead! ?It's perfect for colder days, and super comforting for the soul!
Halal status: Seafood-only restaurant. No alcohol or animal derivatives were used in the preparation of the soup. Please also note that alcoholic beverages may be served here. We recommend that you dine at your discretion.
Address: 127, Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan, South Korea
Opening hours: Open daily; 7AM-9PM
11. New Little India
New Little India offers delectable Indian cuisine and has two outlets in Busan! You can expect to sink your teeth in classic dishes such as naan, paneer and tandoori chicken here. With many other activities lined up for the rest of your day, be sure to fuel up!
Halal status: The meat served is halal. Please also note that alcoholic beverages may be served here, we recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
Address: Busan Station, B1F 205, Jungang-daero, Dong-gu, Busan, South Korea
Opening hours: Open daily; 11AM-11PM
Address: Busan Station, B1F 205, Jungang-daero, Dong-gu, Busan, South Korea
Opening hours: Open daily; 11AM-11PM
12. Jagalchi Fish Market
Of course, you can’t leave this area without having a fresh seafood meal! Ensure you shop for fresh seafood outside of the Jagalchi Fish Market building, and have it cooked at one of the restaurants located outside the building too. This is because the restaurants outside are usually more transparent with the costs incurred in preparing your meal!
Halal status: Seafood options available. We recommend double-checking with the respective stall owners that dishes prepared do not include alcohol. Please also note that alcoholic beverages are served here. We recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
Address: 52 Jagalchihaean-ro, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea
Jagalchi Market
13. Wonjo Halmae Bokguk (원조할매복국)
This bokguk (pufferfish soup) restaurant has been running for 50 years, managed by at least 2 generations! It’s famously known for its delicious bokguk which comes in various forms: clear broth style, in a porridge, steamed, braised, and even bulgogi-style pufferfish. You probably don’t get to try pufferfish every day, so this is worth a try!
Halal status: Seafood-only restaurant. Please also note that alcoholic beverages may be served here, we recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
Price: From KRW9,000
Address: 1, Dalmaji-gil 62beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
Opening hours: Open daily; 7AM-9PM
14. Bagdad (바그다드)
Bagdad offers a mouthwatering selection of northern Indian cuisine right in Jeju City! You can feel the love included in preparing the dishes they serve. We highly recommend the butter chicken paired with naan! Be sure to end off your meal with a delicious glass of mango lassi!
Halal status: Meat is halal-certified by Jeju Islamic Cultural Center. Please also note that alcoholic beverages may be served here, we recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
Address: 38, Seogwang-ro 32-gil, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Opening hours: Open daily; 11AM-11PM (closed from 3PM-5PM)
15. Daewonga (대원가)
There’s nothing better than starting your Jeju adventure with a tasty seafood meal! Daewonga offers hearty seafood stews filled to the brim with abalone, mussels, crab and squid, which are boiled with the kimchi base. The seafood is caught by Jeju’s famous haenyeo divers!
Halal status: Seafood-only restaurant. Please also note that alcoholic beverages may be served here, we recommend that you dine at your discretion.
Address: 62-1 Donam-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
16. Jeju King Crabs Sashimi Town (제주대게회타운)
Jeju King Crabs Sashimi Town is a 3-storey seafood restaurant that faces the sea and is always busy with customers! As its name suggests, they’re famous for their king crabs and sashimi which are served raw, steamed and everything else you can think of! From king crab, snow crab, sashimi and abalone, you’ll definitely be spoilt for choice.
Halal status: Seafood-only restaurant. Please also note that alcoholic beverages may be served here, we recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
Address: 1003-9 Yongdamsam-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Opening hours: Open daily; 9AM-9.30PM
17. Kim Myung Ja Oyster Rice Soup (김명자굴국밥)
Gukbap, or rice with soup, is easily found in Korean restaurants and mixed with a type of meat. Kim Myung Ja Oyster Soup serves oysters in steaming rice soup for a soothing and comforting meal. Order fried oysters and pajeon!
Halal status: Please also note that non-halal meat and alcoholic beverages may be served here, we recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
Address: 46-1, Seongsanjungang-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do South Korea
Opening hours: Open daily; 6AM-9PM
18. Choonsim's House (춘심이네)
Well known for their hairtail fish, it’s pretty pricey but it’ll be something you wouldn’t have tried before at home so it’s definitely worth a try. This restaurant also serves Grilled Mackerel for those on a budget
.Halal status: There is no pork on the menu, but non-halal meat is served in this restaurant alongside seafood. Please also note that alcoholic beverages may be served here, we recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
Address: 16 Changcheonjungang-ro24beon-gil, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Did this guide help you? There are so many things to do in Busan if you look hard enough but make sure to find time to visit these delicious and enjoy a variety of cuisines. SHARE this article with your friends and family, or anyone you know who's visiting Busan for the holidays!