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BUSAN DWAEJI GUKBAP 2026 2026 Busan Pork Soup Rice Competition Results The Joint TOP 3, Full TOP 20, and Neighborhood Food Tour Routes |
Information current as of October 21, 2026.
In Busan, South Korea, pork soup rice—dwaeji gukbap—is much more than a quick meal.
Every neighborhood has its go-to gukbap restaurant, and everyone has an opinion: how rich the broth should be, which pork cuts belong in the bowl, how the rice should be warmed with hot broth, and even when to add salted shrimp and spicy seasoning paste.
Bringing all that hometown gukbap pride together was the2026 Busan Dwaeji Gukbap Competition,which has now wrapped up.
The event featured Gukbap Talks and public voting for 20 restaurants shortlisted through residents’ recommendations, followed by a Gukbap Showcase from October 16–18 at Naueo Living in BIFC2, Nam-gu, Busan, South Korea.The showcase brought the celebration together in one place.
2026 Busan Dwaeji Gukbap Competition at a Glance
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Organizers |
Busan Metropolitan City · Busan Tourism Organization |
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Event Format |
Resident nominations → Gukbap Talks → Public voting during Gukbap Week → Gukbap Showcase |
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Voter Participation |
38,194 residents and visitors |
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Results |
Three rating tiers: TOP 3 (three earthenware bowls) · TOP 10 (two earthenware bowls) · TOP 20 (one earthenware bowl) Individual rankings and vote totals were not disclosed. |
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Gukbap Showcase |
Friday, October 16–Sunday, October 18, 2026 Naueo Living, BIFC2, Nam-gu, Busan, South Korea — event concluded |
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Gwangalli-Area Selections |
Five restaurants in Suyeong-gu—the largest concentration among the TOP 20 |
38,194 People Voted for Busan’s Favorite Dwaeji Gukbap
This year’s vote drew 38,194 residents and visitors.
Rather than ranking restaurants individually from first through twentieth, the results grouped them into TOP 3, TOP 10, and TOP 20 tiers.
That means the three TOP 3 restaurants did not finish first, second, and third. Each received the highest rating: three earthenware bowls, sharing TOP 3 status.Individual restaurants’ vote totals were not released either.
The Joint TOP 3 in the 2026 Busan Dwaeji Gukbap Competition
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Subyeon Choego Dwaeji Gukbap, Millak Main Branch Millak-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan, South Korea · Three earthenware bowls |
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Yeongjin Dwaeji Gukbap, Main Branch Sinpyeong-dong, Saha-gu, Busan, South Korea · Three earthenware bowls |
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Hapcheon Gukbapjip Yongho-dong, Nam-gu, Busan, South Korea · Three earthenware bowls |
All three earned the highest rating: Subyeon Choego Dwaeji Gukbap, a signature stop around Gwangalli and Millak-dong; Yeongjin Dwaeji Gukbap, a longtime favorite in western Busan; and Hapcheon Gukbapjip, a neighborhood institution in Yongho-dong.
Two Earthenware Bowls: Seven More Restaurants in the TOP 10
These seven restaurants joined the TOP 3 to complete the TOP 10.
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Restaurant |
Location |
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1953 Hyeongje Dwaeji Gukbap, Main Branch |
Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan, South Korea |
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70-Year Tradition Halmae Gukbap |
Beomil-dong, Dong-gu, Busan, South Korea |
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Suyeong Dwaeji Gukbap |
Gwangan-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan, South Korea |
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Sinchang Gukbap, Main Branch |
Toseong-dong, Seo-gu, Busan, South Korea |
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Ssangdungi Dwaeji Gukbap, Main Branch |
Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan, South Korea |
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Jamae Gukbap |
Millak-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan, South Korea |
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Hwanamjeong Dwaeji Gukbap, Choeup Main Branch |
Yeonji-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan, South Korea |
One Earthenware Bowl: Ten More Restaurants in the TOP 20
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Restaurant |
Location |
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Dubeonjjae Neulhaerang |
Yangjeong-dong, Busanjin-gu, Busan, South Korea |
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Mokchon Dwaeji Gukbap, Yeonsan City Hall Branch |
Yeonsan-dong, Yeonje-gu, Busan, South Korea |
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Seo Jin-seop Dwaeji Gukbap |
Sinchang-dong, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea |
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Somunnan Dwaeji Gukbap, Bupyeong Branch |
Bupyeong-dong, Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea |
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Sikbok Dwaeji Gukbap |
Namcheon-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan, South Korea |
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Onammae Dwaeji Gukbap, Jeonggwan Branch |
Jeonggwan-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, South Korea |
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Uri Dwaeji Gukbap |
Choryang-dong, Dong-gu, Busan, South Korea |
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Ibagu Gukbap |
Jurye-dong, Sasang-gu, Busan, South Korea |
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Cheonghwabaek Dwaeji Gukbap, Gwangalli Main Branch |
Namcheon-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan, South Korea |
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Haeundae Halmaejip |
Jung-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea |
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“TOP 20” refers to the 20 restaurant brands shortlisted through residents’ recommendations—not a ranked list of first through twentieth. The TOP 3 and TOP 10 restaurants are also part of the TOP 20. |
Busan’s Love for Gukbap, on Full Display
Eleven of the TOP 20 restaurants took part in the three-day Gukbap Showcase.
All 500 gukbap platters, which let visitors compare soups from three restaurants in one sitting, were fully reserved well in advance. More than 5,000 people visited during the first two days alone.
The program included Gukbap Salon, Gukbap Dolpawon, a pork butchery demonstration, the Gukbap Golden Bell quiz, and Gukbap Sommelier sessions, alongside slime, bead, and keychain workshops and merchandise sales.
What stood out to me was how the event went beyond announcing famous restaurants. It turned the history of Busan—and the neighborhood stories tucked into each bowl—into something travelers could explore.
Find Busan’s TOP 20 Dwaeji Gukbap Restaurants on KakaoMap
After the event, a KakaoMap themed map was released, bringing all 20 selected restaurants together in one view.
You can check each restaurant’s location and photos directly on the map, making it handy for planning a Busan food itinerary. Ratings, review counts, and opening hours can change, so double-check each restaurant’s listing before heading out.
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KAKAOMAP · Themed Map |
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KAKAOMAP · Competition Page 2026 Busan Dwaeji Gukbap Competition: Where Will You Find Your All-Time Favorite Bowl? |
TOP 20 Pork Soup Rice Tour Routes Around Busan
Visiting all 20 in a single day isn’t realistic. Pick one or two restaurants in the same area, then work in a walk or some sightseeing between meals.
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1. Gwangalli and Suyeong | Five Restaurants |
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Subyeon Choego Dwaeji Gukbap, Millak Main Branch · Jamae Gukbap · Suyeong Dwaeji Gukbap · Sikbok Dwaeji Gukbap · Cheonghwabaek Dwaeji Gukbap, Gwangalli Main Branch There are two ways I’d plan this route. For a beach-focused day: Subyeon Choego Dwaeji Gukbap or Jamae Gukbap → Millak Waterside Park → Gwangalli Beach → Sikbok Dwaeji Gukbap or Cheonghwabaek Dwaeji Gukbap For a subway-friendly route: Suyeong Dwaeji Gukbap → Gwangan Station area → Gwangalli Beach → Millak-dong With five of the TOP 20, this area has the highest concentration of selected restaurants. Rather than trying to eat at all five, I’d choose one for lunch and another for dinner. |
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2. Daeyeon and Yongho | Three Restaurants |
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1953 Hyeongje Dwaeji Gukbap, Main Branch · Ssangdungi Dwaeji Gukbap, Main Branch · Hapcheon Gukbapjip Suggested Route Choose 1953 Hyeongje or Ssangdungi in Daeyeon-dong → United Nations Memorial Cemetery and Busan Museum → Igidae Coastal Walking Trail → Hapcheon Gukbapjip in Yongho-dong The two Daeyeon-dong restaurants are in the same general area, so choose one rather than tackling two bowls back-to-back. Spend the afternoon exploring Igidae or Oryukdo. |
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3. Busan Station and the Old Downtown | Five Restaurants |
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Uri Dwaeji Gukbap · 70-Year Tradition Halmae Gukbap · Seo Jin-seop Dwaeji Gukbap · Somunnan Dwaeji Gukbap, Bupyeong Branch · Sinchang Gukbap, Main Branch Suggested Route Busan Station and Uri Dwaeji Gukbap in Choryang → Choryang Ibagu-gil → 70-Year Tradition Halmae Gukbap in Beomil-dong → Gukje Market and Bupyeong Kkangtong Market → Choose Seo Jin-seop, Somunnan, or Sinchang Instead of connecting all five restaurants, choose one around Busan Station or Beomil and another around Nampo, Bupyeong, or Toseong. That keeps your food stops comfortably woven into a day exploring the old downtown. |
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4. Choeup, Yangjeong, and Yeonsan | Three Restaurants |
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Hwanamjeong Dwaeji Gukbap, Choeup Main Branch · Dubeonjjae Neulhaerang · Mokchon Dwaeji Gukbap, Yeonsan City Hall Branch Suggested Route Hwanamjeong Dwaeji Gukbap in Choeup → Busan Citizens Park → Dubeonjjae Neulhaerang in Yangjeong → Busan City Hall and Mokchon Dwaeji Gukbap in Yeonsan-dong This route connects residential neighborhoods across Busanjin-gu and Yeonje-gu. It’s a good fit if you’d rather experience everyday Busan than spend the whole day checking off major sights. |
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5. Jurye and Sinpyeong in Western Busan | Two Restaurants |
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Ibagu Gukbap · Yeongjin Dwaeji Gukbap, Main Branch Suggested Route Ibagu Gukbap in Jurye → Travel via Sasang or Hadan → Yeongjin Dwaeji Gukbap in Sinpyeong → Sunset at Dadaepo Beach There’s some distance between these restaurants, so leave plenty of time between meals: breakfast and a late lunch, or lunch and dinner. If Yeongjin is your main destination, it pairs nicely with sunset at Dadaepo. |
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6. Haeundae | One Restaurant |
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Haeundae Halmaejip Suggested Route Haeundae Halmaejip → Haeundae Traditional Market → Haeundae Beach → Dalmaji-gil or Mipo Combining one gukbap stop with Haeundae’s best-known sights makes this an easy, low-pressure route for first-time visitors to Busan. |
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7. Gijang and Jeonggwan | One Restaurant |
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Onammae Dwaeji Gukbap, Jeonggwan Branch Suggested Route Onammae Dwaeji Gukbap, Jeonggwan Branch → Explore Jeonggwan → Ahopsan Forest or the Gijang coast Jeonggwan is some distance from central Haeundae. Rather than squeezing it into the Haeundae food route, give it a separate half-day. |
A Two-Day Itinerary for the Joint TOP 3
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DAY 1 |
Subyeon Choego Dwaeji Gukbap, Millak Main Branch → Gwangalli Beach → A walk at Igidae → Hapcheon Gukbapjip |
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DAY 2 |
Yeongjin Dwaeji Gukbap, Main Branch → Gamcheon Culture Village or Dadaepo Beach |
If you’re staying in Gwangalli, the easiest approach is to explore Suyeong-gu and Nam-gu on day one, then head to western Busan on day two.
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STAY NEAR GWANGALLI Make Gwangalli Your Base for a Busan Food Trip If your plans revolve around Gwangalli Beach and the gukbap restaurants in Millak-dong, Yeonondam Gwangan Beachis a convenient choice. If you’ll be taking the subway between Suyeong, Namcheon, and other parts of the city, consider staying near Gwangan Station at Yeonondam Gwangan Stationas your base instead. |
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Yeonondam Gwangan Beach About a two-minute walk from Gwangalli Beach Sleeps up to 10 · Jacuzzi · Cinema room · Dining area |
Yeonondam Gwangan Station About a two-minute walk from Gwangan Station, Line 2 Sleeps up to 8 · Three rooms · Terrace · Dining room |
Walking through Busan’s neighborhoods in search of a good bowl of dwaeji gukbap reveals a side of everyday life you won’t find by sticking to the headline attractions.
To me, this TOP 20 felt less like a definitive ranking and more like a map of twenty different bowls that Busan locals have come to love.
Which restaurant serves your all-time favorite dwaeji gukbap?
Frequently Asked Questions
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About the Competition |
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Q. Does the joint TOP 3 mean first, second, and third place? A. No. Subyeon Choego Dwaeji Gukbap, Millak Main Branch; Yeongjin Dwaeji Gukbap, Main Branch; and Hapcheon Gukbapjip all received the highest rating of three earthenware bowls. They share TOP 3 status; individual rankings and vote totals were not disclosed. Q. Is the Gukbap Showcase still running? A. No. The showcase took place October 16–18, 2026, at Naueo Living in BIFC2 and has ended. You can still visit the TOP 20 restaurants at their own locations, but opening hours and closing days vary, so check before you go. Q. Which TOP 20 restaurants are near Gwangalli? A. Five are in Suyeong-gu: Subyeon Choego Dwaeji Gukbap, Millak Main Branch, and Jamae Gukbap in Millak-dong; Suyeong Dwaeji Gukbap in Gwangan-dong; and Sikbok Dwaeji Gukbap and Cheonghwabaek Dwaeji Gukbap, Gwangalli Main Branch, in Namcheon-dong. |
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About Staying at Yeonondam |
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Q. Which property is more convenient for a gukbap tour? A. For Gwangalli Beach and Millak-dong, Yeonondam Gwangan Beach is about a two-minute walk from the beach. If you plan to use the subway to reach the old downtown and western Busan, Yeonondam Gwangan Station is about a two-minute walk from Gwangan Station. Q. Can I stay at Yeonondam with a pet? A. Pets are not permitted at either Yeonondam Gwangan Beach or Yeonondam Gwangan Station. |
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The Short Version · The 2026 Busan Dwaeji Gukbap Competition drew 38,194 votes from residents and visitors. Subyeon Choego Dwaeji Gukbap, Millak Main Branch; Yeongjin Dwaeji Gukbap, Main Branch; and Hapcheon Gukbapjip shared TOP 3 status, each receiving three earthenware bowls. · Five of the TOP 20 are in the Gwangalli–Suyeong area, making Gwangalli a practical base for a pork soup rice tour around Busan. · Yeonondam Gwangan Beach is a private, thoughtfully styled stay about a two-minute walk from Gwangalli Beach—a convenient option for families, friends, and groups planning a Busan food trip. |
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Yeonondam Stay Information Event information in this article reflects the event and the individual restaurants. It is separate from Yeonondam’s accommodation policies. Yeonondam Gwangan Beach and Yeonondam Gwangan Station both make convenient bases for exploring Gwangalli. Please note the house rules: no pets, no unregistered visitors, no smoking indoors, and keep noise down after 10 p.m. Please review Yeonondam’s full accommodation guidelines before booking. |
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Official Sources and Information Date This article was compiled as of October 21, 2026, using announcements from Busan Metropolitan City and the Busan Tourism Organization, Visit Busan, and KakaoMap’s 2026 Busan Dwaeji Gukbap Competition page. Restaurant hours, closing days, menus, and prices may change, so confirm each restaurant’s details before visiting. This Busan travel article was researched and compiled by the Yeonondam blog. |
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