Korea Diary | Last Day in Busan (Day 29)

11:19:00 PM mandy 0 Comments

Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Chinatown - Dragons mural
Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Chinatown - Restaurant front Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Chinatown arch
Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Chinatown arch

We had a late start on our last day in Busan. Luckily our AirBnB host allowed us to check out later since she didn't have any prior reservations for the studio. Before our pre-scheduled afternoon departure train back to Seoul, the three of us wandered around Busan for more food.

Our first stop of the day was to Busan's Chinatown. It was conveniently located right near where we stayed, across the street of the Busan Station and near Choryang. Most of the shops and restaurants weren't open yet even though we got there around noon. I noticed that despite it being named Chinatown, there were also a lot of Russian (I think) shops as well.

Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Chinatown - Japchae Jajang Rice Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Chinatown - Jajangmyeon Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Chinatown - Mandoo

Since the Korean tourism site stated that this Chinatown was built as a collaboration between Busan and Shanghai, I had an inkling of hope for somewhat authentic Shanghai-style Chinese food. While I cannot attest to all the restaurants there, most of the ones we saw some menus of served mostly Korean-Chinese dishes.

Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Gukje Market
Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Gukje Market - Patbingsoo Danpatjook Vendor Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Busan Gukje Market - Red Bean Porridge Danpatjook

We didn't have too much time left after lunch. Our final stop in Busan was back to BIFF Square. This time it wasn't to re-explore the square. Instead our actual destination was the nearby Gukje Market 국제시장. Everything someone might need or want can be found in this one market: clothes, accessories, homeware, old stuff, new stuff, and even all kinds of street foods.

I think the three of us probably had a bunch more snacks while at the market. But the one thing that I was most excited to see and try was the red bean porridge or danpatjook 단팥죽. I LOVE the Chinese version and I really wanted to try the Korean version as well. From my memory, the Korean version (at this particular vendor) was pretty watery and not very sweet.

Seoul, Korea - Summer Study Abroad 2014 - Korail KTX Busan to Seoul

And so that was the end of our 3-day weekend trip to Busan!

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