In this guide
Korean barbecue restaurants are a highlight of any trip to Busan, but sometimes you just want a quiet dinner in your own room, at your own pace. If your accommodation has a small kitchen, a pan of seared steak cubes with a sprig of rosemary is one of the easiest and most satisfying meals you can make. Here is how to shop for beef in Korea, what the labels mean and how to cook it simply on a typical apartment stove.
Why Cook In on a Busan Trip
Many serviced apartments, officetels and residence-style rooms in areas like Haeundae, Gwangalli and Seomyeon come with a compact kitchenette: usually an induction or electric hob, a small fridge, a pan or two and basic cutlery. Cooking one or two dinners yourself gives your legs a break after long sightseeing days and lets you eat exactly how you like.
It is also a relaxed option for solo travellers. Some barbecue restaurants prefer orders for two or more people, so grilling a portion at home is an easy way to enjoy good beef alone. If you are still choosing a base, our guide to compact rooms in Busan covers what to expect from smaller stays.
Where to Buy Beef and How to Read the Label
Large supermarkets, often found in or near department stores and shopping complexes, have butcher counters with pre-packed trays of meat. Traditional markets also have butchers who cut to order, though pointing and gesturing may be needed if you do not speak Korean. Smaller neighbourhood marts carry a more limited selection.
Korean labels always show the country of origin. Hanwoo (한우) is native Korean beef, prized for its rich marbling and usually the most expensive option. Imported beef, commonly from Australia or the United States, is widely available and more budget-friendly, and it cooks beautifully as steak. Hanwoo is also graded, with 1++ at the top, followed by 1+ and 1.
- Deungsim (등심): sirloin, a flavourful all-rounder for steak
- Ansim (안심): tenderloin, very tender and lean
- Chadolbagi (차돌박이): thin-sliced brisket, better for quick grilling than steak cubes
- Gukgeori (국거리): beef cut for soup, not ideal for searing
A translation app with a camera function is handy for reading labels quickly. In the evening, supermarkets sometimes put discount stickers on fresh items that need to be sold that day, which is perfect if you plan to cook straight away.
Searing Bite-Sized Steak on a Small Stove
Cutting a steak into cubes before cooking suits apartment kitchens well. The pieces cook fast and evenly, there is no need for a big pan, and you can eat straight away without a sharp knife at the table.
- Take the beef out of the fridge a little before cooking and pat it dry with kitchen paper
- Cut it into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and coarse black pepper
- Heat a little oil until the pan is properly hot, then add the cubes in a single layer
- Leave them alone for a minute so they brown, then turn and add rosemary or garlic
- Remove while the centres are still pink, as they keep cooking off the heat
Induction hobs heat quickly, so start on a medium-high setting rather than the maximum. Fresh herbs like rosemary are usually found in the vegetable section of larger supermarkets, and garlic is easy to find almost everywhere in Korea. Open a window or switch on the extractor fan, because small rooms fill with smoke fast and smoke alarms can be sensitive.
Cleaning Up the Korean Way
Korea takes rubbish sorting seriously. Food waste is usually collected separately from general rubbish, and recyclables such as plastic trays, cans and bottles are sorted again. Your accommodation should explain the system, often with a sign near the bins or in the check-in notes. Rinse the plastic meat tray before recycling it, and drain cooking fat into a paper towel rather than the sink.
If you would rather leave the grilling to the experts on another night, see our guide to Korean BBQ and jokbal in Busan for ordering tips. And after a full day exploring the coast, a simple steak dinner followed by an early night in your hotel or apartment can be the best way to recharge for tomorrow.
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.
