Korea's 10 Popular Seafood Restaurants in Busan

A magnet for travelers across East Asia and a steady favorite for locals, this crab specialist serves glossy soy-marinated blue crab with clean sweetness and a six hour crab stew that fills the room with deep ocean aroma. The shells gleam, the roe is silky, and the spice is tuned so you can finish a full bowl of rice without hesitation. Expect a lively mood that turns effortlessly into a soju night.

• Order this: Soy-marinated crab set and spicy crab stew; ask for extra seaweed and hot rice to scoop every last flavor.

Loved equally by locals and visitors, this powerhouse grills native freshwater eel over hotter, cleaner coffee-tree charcoal for a lacquered crust and custardy center. Morning-delivered eel is hand prepped and cooked for you, then paired with leafy greens harvested from a hydroponic smart farm inside the restaurant for a bright, fresh finish.

• Order this: Mixed eel set and seasonal sides; ask for a light brush of sauce on the second round to compare pure and glazed bites.

A refined counter where locals and travelers share hushed moments over rice that breathes and fish that has been patiently rested for clarity of flavor. The flow moves from cool, clean cuts to richer pieces, with textures that register first on the nose and then melt across the palate.

• Order this: Chef’s omakase; note the cured fish sequence and how the seasoning shifts with the shari temperature.

A local crowd pleaser near the station that turns the beloved trio of octopus, intestines, and shrimp into a glossy, umami-packed stir fry. Ingredients arrive in plain view and the secret sauce is aged for 172 hours which gives a deep, rounded finish without heaviness.

• Order this: Nakgobsae set and a water parsley pancake; a touch of honey on the pancake is a playful pairing.

A true local favorite where aged fish gets a gentle, appetizing texture and a clean finish. Platters arrive in abundant layers and the side dishes carry variety which makes it easy for first timers to enjoy aged sashimi without hesitation.

• Order this: Assorted aged sashimi for the table; go early for the choicest cuts before they sell out.

Locals swear by this izakaya where the owner sources wild fish at auction, then serves crisp-textured mackerel sashimi and large format yellowtail with a clean, ocean sweet scent. The open counter shows the action and the menu jumps from sashimi to hot nabe and charred cod for a balanced night with drinks.

• Order this: Live mackerel sashimi, yellowtail selection, and the seafood tomato nabe; try a pinch of salt on the mackerel to focus the flavor.

A destination that travelers plan trips around and locals covet for anniversaries, where the sea view sets the tone and a seasonal course captures the coastline on the plate. Broths are gentle and concentrated, seafood is treated with respect, and the final savory courses land with satisfying warmth.

• Order this: Seasonal kaiseki; arrive a little early to settle in with the view before the first course.

A local standby for hearty seafood stir fry where plump 51 to 70 count shrimp, live octopus, and savory Hanwoo intestines come together in a glossy pan. Families appreciate the steady service and the kids options and many guests note the calm, easygoing dining room near the beach.

• Order this: Nakgobsae with extra shrimp and a side of fried rice to capture the sauce.

A bridge view that sparkles at night and a table that fills with sashimi, small plates, and steaming dishes. Both travelers and locals book this spot for celebrations where the sea becomes the backdrop and the platters arrive like centerpieces.

• Order this: Seafood courses sized for your party; the sashimi bridge platter is for three to four guests only.

Where the Southern Sea meets the East, plates of clams arrive beautifully arranged and the salty breeze slips through the window. Couples linger over the grill and friends toast while the shells pop and release sweet steam that smells like the shore after rain.

• Order this: Mixed grilled clams and a simple soup; request a window table for the most romantic angle.