In this guide
On a warm Busan afternoon, or after a heavy meal of grilled meat, few things feel as good as a bowl of cold noodles floating in icy broth. Korea has a whole family of chilled dishes. Two you will meet again and again are noodle soup served in a shiny metal bowl and a surprisingly simple plate of sliced tomatoes. This guide explains what they are, how to order them and how to enjoy them comfortably on your own.
Naengmyeon and Milmyeon: Busan's Cold Noodle Story
Naengmyeon means cold noodles. The classic version comes from the north of the Korean peninsula: thin, chewy noodles in a clear, slightly tangy broth, often with a few ice crystals still floating on top. It usually arrives in a brass or stainless steel bowl, which keeps everything cold.
Busan has its own take, called milmyeon. It developed during the Korean War, when refugees from the north settled in the city and made their familiar noodles with wheat flour, which was easier to find than buckwheat. Milmyeon noodles are softer and a little springier, and the dish is now strongly linked with Busan. If you see both on a menu, trying milmyeon is a nice way to taste local history.
Toppings vary, but expect thin strips of meat, julienned cucumber, slices of pickled radish, sesame seeds and often half a boiled egg. Some places add pear for sweetness. For a wider look at local dishes, see our Busan food guide.
How to Order and Season Your Bowl
Most menus offer two main styles. Mul (water) noodles come in the cold broth. Bibim noodles are mixed with a spicy red sauce and have little or no broth. If you are unsure about heat, the broth version is the gentler choice.
- Scissors: staff may offer to cut the long noodles for you. Just nod if you would like that, as it makes eating much easier.
- Vinegar and mustard: small bottles on the table let you season the broth. Add a little, stir, taste and adjust.
- Warm broth: some restaurants serve a cup of hot meat broth on the side, which is nice to sip between cold mouthfuls.
- Slurping: drinking the broth straight from the bowl is completely normal.
Cold noodles are also a classic finish to a Korean barbecue meal. Many grill restaurants list a smaller portion just for this. Our guide to Korean BBQ and jokbal explains how that kind of meal flows.
The Sugared Tomato Plate at Korean Pubs
In the evening you may spot another cool dish at a pub or drinking spot: fresh tomatoes sliced thin, fanned across a plate and dusted with white crystals. In Korea this is most often sugar, sometimes with a pinch of salt or dried herbs. It sounds unusual if you grew up treating tomatoes as a vegetable, but here they are often eaten like fruit.
The plate works as anju, the food Koreans eat alongside drinks. It is light, refreshing and makes a gentle counterbalance to salty fried snacks or soju. At the bottom of the plate a sweet tomato juice collects, and some people happily drink it at the end. If you prefer savoury, you can ask whether it can be served without sugar, though the sweet version is the classic.
Tips for Eating Out Solo in Busan
- Many restaurants have picture menus or ordering tablets, and a translation app's camera function handles most menus well.
- Side dishes such as kimchi are usually free and refillable. Some places have a self-service corner.
- Water is typically free and self-serve, often from a dispenser near the entrance.
- Pay at the counter on the way out unless there is a tablet or the staff bring the bill.
- Late-evening pubs in busy areas like Seomyeon and around the beaches are generally lively and well lit. Sitting near the front or at a counter feels comfortable for a solo visit.
Cold dishes are a summer favourite, but naengmyeon is eaten year-round. Some fans insist that winter, in a heated room, is the best season for it.
After a Long Day of Eating and Walking
Food-focused days in Busan often mean long stretches on foot: between markets, up hillside lanes and along the beach promenades. By the time you have finished a cold bowl of noodles and a plate of sweet tomatoes, your legs may feel heavy and your shoulders stiff from carrying a bag all day. Back in a quiet hotel room it can be hard to really unwind on your own, and some calm body care in the room starts to sound very appealing.
Tired after a long day of travel?
If a full day of walking around Busan has left you worn out, a quiet hour of women-only aroma body care in your hotel room is one way to end the day. TODAK is for women guests only, and our therapists are men who provide professional body care only. Please message us in advance — there is no deposit, and you pay in cash (Korean won) on the day.
