BIFF: Must-Visit Busan Restaurants You Saw in Korean Films

Busan has become one of the favorite spots for Korean filmmakers and musicians.

Not to mention its distinctive regional dialect and beautiful beachfront view, but the straightforward attitude and vibrant energy of Busan people add something special to films and songs: Yoon Je-kyoon's "Haeundae" (2009), Park Chan-wook's "Oldboy" (2006), Choi Dong-hoon's "The Thieves" (2012) and reggae singing duo Haha&Skull's "Busan Vacance."

People know that these films and songs are based in Busan but can anyone name the spot from which the fried dumpling that Choi Min-shik ate for 15 years was ordered? Or where actor Kim Soo-hyun gets flirted with a man? Discover that location and more about the scenes below and navigate the city's culinary offerings by both fun and flavor.

"Oldboy" (2003)

Actress Kang Hye-jung (left) grabs a dumbling in front of Choi Min-shik's face in director Park Chan-wook's "Oldboy," released in local theaters on November 21, 2003. [ShowEast]

Choi Min-shik has long been known as a veteran actor in Korea but he first made a name for himself on the global film stage by starring in director Park Chan-wook's "Oldboy."

There were a few scenes that left people a strong impression that whether Spike Lee will put the same scenes in his remake of "Oldboy" was the subject of people's attention.

Chinese Restaurant "Chang Cheng Xiang" is famous for providing fried dumplings during the shooting of director Park Chan-wook's "Oldboy," which opened in local theaters on November 21, 2003. [Kim Min-young/10Asia]

Chinese restaurant "Chang Cheng Xiang" is where these dumplings came from. Ever since the movie became a huge hit, "Chang Cheng Xiang" is one of the hottest place for tourists, especially during the annual Busan International Film Festival period, with the fame of their fried dumplings.

Eating a live octopus is one thing, but being fed nothing but fried dumplings for 15 years during his captivity brought a sense of mysterious atmosphere, and laughter, to the movie.

Address: 609-01 Choryang 1-dong, Dong-gu, Busan, South Korea
Phone number: (82)51-467-4496

"Chang Cheng Xiang" fried dumpling is famous for playing a critical role in Park Chan-wook's "Oldboy," released in local theaters on November 21, 2003. [Kim Min-young/10Asia]

"Haeundae" (2009)

Korean actor Sul Kyung-koo poses at "Marado" sushi bar, the set of director Yoon Je-kyoon's blockbuster movie "Haeundae," released in local theaters on July 22, 2009. [CJ Entertainment]

Like any other coastal cities, Busan is famous for sea food. Grabbing a bit of sushi and raw fish is a mandatory course if you have some money in your pocket, and maybe you can do this at "Marado," a sushi restaurant run by Mansik [actor Seol Kyung-koo's character].

"Marado" sushi restaurant, placed on the coastline in Busan, is known for being the film set of "Haeundae," director Yoon Je-kyoon's blockbuster hit released on July 22, 2009. [Kim Min-young/10Asia]

The movie "Haeundae," also the name of a beach area in Busan, shows the city getting swept by a tsunami but when visiting the restaurant, everything looks so calm and peaceful that it is hard to imagine that any natural disaster could steal the peace away.

"Marado" appears in the movie quite often, as this is where Seol and actress Ha Ji-won's on-screen romance blossoms.

Though the place looks a bit tacky and shabby in the movie, it has gone through major repairs after the shooting. It now has a wharf on the floor level and the restaurant on the second floor. The place is not recommendable who are uncomfortable with sitting on the bare ground, but it is a different kind of fun to try how Koreans enjoy their vacation in coastal towns.

Address: 957-8 Joong 1-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
Phone number: (82)51-747-8123

The inside of repaired "Marado" sushi restaurant in Busan, South Korea. [Kim Min-young/10Asia]

Actor Choi Dong-hoon's "The Thieves" is the top grossing homegrown film of all time, passing numerous records set by "The Host" (206) and "Haeundae" (2009), the heist movie marked actress Jun Ji-hyun's whirlwind return to the screen and proved the power of the new rising actor, Kim Soo-hyun.

These two encounter an unexpected event in a bar, where they had plotted to take an ID card from security guard's pocket to sneak into a building. While Jun waits for the man's approach, Kim gets caught off his guard by getting flirted by the security.

The scene makes the audience burst into their laughter by seeing Kim being compelled to kiss a man to steal the card.

Many thought the scene was shot in Macao, but the production firm later revealed that the bar is located in Busan, Korea.

Address: 1510-12, Joong-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
Phone number: (82)51-746-6670

"The Thieves" (2012)

Actor Kim Soo-hyun (left) and Jun Ji-hyun (right) sit around a table on the set of Director Choi Dong-hoon's "The Thieves," released in local theaters on July 25, 2012. [Showbox]

"Opera House" is known as one of the film sets of "The Thieves," director Choi Dong-hoon's hit film released on July 25, 2012. [Kim Min-young/10Asia]

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10 아시아 Editor : Monica Suk monicasuk@