In this guide
A Busan evening by the sea often happens in two parts. First you find a terrace table facing the beach, order something cold and watch the light change over the water. Then, once you are hungry, you move on to seafood. This guide covers both halves: what to drink at a beachfront cafe or bar, and how to order and eat prawns the Korean way.
Finding a Terrace Seat by the Beach
Busan's main beaches, including Gwangalli and Haeundae, are lined with a coastal road, pine trees and a long row of cafes, bars and restaurants. Many have open fronts or small outdoor terraces so you can sit almost at street level and look across the road to the sand and the sea.
The best time is late afternoon into early evening, especially from late spring to early autumn. The heat eases, the beach fills with walkers and, at Gwangalli, the Gwangan Bridge starts to glow once it gets dark. If you want a front-row view of the bridge lights, our guide on the Gwangan Bridge at night explains where to look.
Terrace seats go quickly on summer weekends. Arriving a little before sunset usually gives you a better choice, and weekdays are noticeably calmer.
What to Drink: Iced Tea, Ades and Highballs
Korean cafes and bars lean heavily towards iced drinks, even outside summer. Lemon iced tea is a common, easy order, and so are "ades", sparkling fruit drinks made with lemon, grapefruit, green grape or citrus syrup over ice. They are refreshing after a hot day of walking and a good choice if you are not drinking alcohol.
Highballs, whisky or another spirit topped with soda and often a slice of lemon, have become very popular in Korea in recent years, and many beachfront bars have a dedicated highball section on the menu. They are lighter than cocktails and pair well with snacks.
- Many cafes ask you to order and pay at the counter, then hand you a buzzer that lights up when your drink is ready.
- At bars and pubs you usually order at the table and pay at the end, often at the counter by the door.
- There is no tipping culture in Korea, so the price on the menu is what you pay.
- Menus near the beach often have pictures, and pointing is perfectly acceptable.
Prawns the Korean Way: Raw and Grilled
Busan is a port city, and prawns and shrimp appear on menus everywhere from casual seafood pubs to restaurants near the fish markets. One popular style serves the same prawns two ways. The peeled tails come raw, laid out on crushed ice, while the heads are grilled or pan-fried until crisp and fragrant.
Raw prawns are sweet and soft with a slightly sticky texture. They are usually eaten with a dab of wasabi, a little soy sauce, or a squeeze of lemon. The grilled heads are meant to be eaten too: the shell turns crunchy and the inside is rich and savoury, sometimes finished with butter or herbs. A creamy dipping sauce or mayonnaise is often served on the side.
Large prawns, known in Korean as daeha, are especially associated with autumn, when salt-grilled prawns become a seasonal favourite. Smaller sweet shrimp are common in sushi and sashimi spots all year round.
For more local dishes worth trying while you are in the city, see What to Eat in Busan.
Tips for a Solo Evening by the Sea
- Eating and drinking alone is common in Korea. Bar counters and small two-person tables are easy to get as a solo guest.
- Seafood platters can be large, so ask whether a smaller portion is available or order one or two dishes rather than a set for several people.
- The beachfront promenades stay busy and well lit into the night, which makes an after-dinner walk pleasant.
- Busan Metro Line 2 runs along the coast past Gwangalli and Haeundae, and taxis are easy to find on the beach roads. The Kakao T app is widely used for calling one.
- Check the last train time before you settle in, especially if your accommodation is a few stops away.
- Carry a light jacket even in summer, as sea breezes can feel cool after sunset.
After a long day of walking, cold drinks and a seafood dinner, heading back to your hotel for a slow, quiet night is a lovely way to end it.
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.
