2018 Travels - Busan, South Korea

Travel Journal

The Slow Travel Advantage: A Week in Busan

*Trading rushed itineraries for deep immersion in the heart of South Korea.*

7

Days

2

Cities

4

Major Meals

Table of Contents

• ①The Slow Travel Advantage
• ②Arrival and Transit
• ③Exploring the Heart of Busan
• ④Culinary Highlights

Section I

The Slow Travel Advantage

I decided to spend a full week in South Korea rather than split my time between two countries. This turned out to be a wise decision, allowing me to relax and take a leisurely pace. In the past, I had only shorter stays of a few days in Busan, leaving me feeling like I couldn’t fully experience certain places. By spending an entire week here, I was able to truly immerse myself in the culture, and now I'm satisfied with brief visits in the future.

 

Section II

Arrival and Transit

I arrived in the evening and spent my first night at the Hyatt. After settling in, I ordered room service, enjoying pasta and a Caesar salad. The hotel had a mini-fridge, and I tried a Cass Beer, which was surprisingly refreshing.

Due to the Olympics, there was no direct train connection from Incheon to Busan, so I made a brief stopover at Seoul Station. I picked up a box lunch and enjoyed my first cup of coffee in Busan. Dinner was at Vikings Buffet, where I indulged in a variety of dishes.

 

Section III

Exploring the Heart of Busan

I woke up early and walked to McDonald’s for breakfast, where the coffee was surprisingly good. For lunch, I savored some delicious tonkatsu, which set a positive tone for the day. In the evening, I cruised around Nampodong. I got my hair cut and enjoyed a few pints of Busan Porter, which was quite decent.

       

• →Korean Fried Chicken — A crispy, flavorful choice for lunch.
• →Busan Porter — A local craft beer that was surprisingly impressive.
• →Lee's Pizza — The final stop for a satisfying dinner.

Tip: Revisiting the same neighborhoods—like Nampodong—over several days allows you to soak in the local atmosphere rather than just rushing through tourist landmarks.

Section IV

Culinary Highlights

I dined on some upscale chachamyun at the top of Lotte World. While it was about the same as regular chachamyun, the side dishes were the real stars.

    

• →Honey Walnut Shrimp — A unique take featuring shredded almonds.
• →Pickled Vegetables — Exceptionally delicious and perfectly balanced.

Meal	Location	Highlight
Lunch	Lotte World	Chachamyun & Soju
Dinner	Haeundae	Pork Feast
Transit	Incheon Airport	Bulgogi Burger

Note: If you find yourself traveling through Seoul Station during transit, grabbing a box lunch is a reliable and quick way to keep your energy up for the next leg of the journey.

This week in South Korea has left me with wonderful memories and a deeper appreciation for the culture and cuisine.