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Busan Pork Soup Showdown: Discovering Hidden Gem Dwaeji Gukbap Beyond the Crowd Favorites

Busan, a vibrant coastal city in South Korea, is renowned for its delicious seafood and unique local cuisine. Among these culinary treasures, Dwaeji Gukbap (돼지국밥), or pork soup with rice, stands out as a quintessential Busan dish. Recently, a local Busan newspaper conducted a poll asking Busan natives to vote for their favorite Dwaeji Gukbap restaurants. The results were intriguing, and I decided to embark on a taste journey to experience the top picks firsthand.

The Busan Local’s Choice: Top 3 Dwaeji Gukbap Restaurants

The poll featured 39 popular Dwaeji Gukbap restaurants in Busan, showcasing the intense competition for the title of “best.” Here are the top 3 winners, as voted by Busan locals:

1. Yangsan House (양산집): Located in Jung-gu, Busan, this restaurant clinched the top spot with an overwhelming 51% of the votes.
2. Youngjin Dwaeji Gukbap (영진돼지국밥): A well-known chain with numerous locations in Busan, securing second place with 27% of the votes.
3. Yangsan Gukbap (양상국밥) Haeundae Main Store: Taking third place with 8% of the votes, situated in Haeundae.

Interestingly, none of these top 3 restaurants have been previously recognized in the “Top 10 Busan Gukbap” lists, adding a fresh perspective to Busan’s Dwaeji Gukbap scene.

Unexpected Delight: Yangsan Gukbap (3rd Place)

My initial plan was to try the number one ranked Yangsan House, but upon arriving on January 1st for lunch, I found it unexpectedly closed. Plan B, Youngjin Dwaeji Gukbap (2nd place), also seemed to be closed. With limited options, I ended up at Yangsan Gukbap (양상국밥), the 3rd place winner, located in Haeundae. To my surprise, this unplanned visit turned out to be an exceptional culinary experience.

I ordered the “Purem Gukbap” (프램 국밥), opting for a clear broth as I prefer a less greasy soup. What arrived was unlike any Dwaeji Gukbap I had tasted before. The soup was remarkably clear and transparent, resembling Gomtang (beef bone soup) rather than the typical milky white Dwaeji Gukbap broth. There was absolutely no porky smell, and the broth was rich, deep in flavor, and incredibly clean tasting. It was, without exaggeration, one of the best pork soups I’ve ever had. This unexpected gem redefined my perception of Dwaeji Gukbap.

The Crowd Favorite: Yangsan House (1st Place)

Intrigued by the vast difference in votes between 3rd and 1st place, I had to try Yangsan House (양산집). The next day, I visited Yangsan House for lunch. As expected for a top-ranked restaurant, it was packed, and I waited about 15 minutes for a table. I ordered Dwaeji Gukbap and eagerly anticipated the taste that earned them the top spot.

Yangsan House’s Dwaeji Gukbap was undoubtedly delicious, but it was a more conventional and familiar taste. It reminded me of the standard Dwaeji Gukbap you can find throughout Korea. While enjoyable, it didn’t possess the unique and surprising character of Yangsan Gukbap (3rd place). It was good, but not groundbreaking. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but it didn’t strike me as a “must-try” 맛집 (delicious restaurant) in the same way the 3rd place had.

Conclusion: Personal Preference vs. Popular Vote

Ultimately, taste is subjective. While Yangsan House is clearly a popular and well-loved Dwaeji Gukbap restaurant, and deservedly so, Yangsan Gukbap (3rd place) offered a truly unique and unforgettable experience for me. Its clear, clean, and deeply flavorful broth set it apart from the typical Dwaeji Gukbap and left a lasting impression. If you’re in Busan and looking to explore beyond the usual, I highly recommend giving Yangsan Gukbap a try. You might just discover your new favorite Dwaeji Gukbap spot, even if it’s not the number one in the poll!

Restaurant Information:

• Yangsan House (양산집): Jung-gu, Busan, South Korea. General Rating: Highly Rated (Based on poll results)
• Yangsan Gukbap (양상국밥) Haeundae Main Store: Haeundae, Busan, South Korea. General Rating: Very Highly Rated (Personal experience)
• Youngjin Dwaeji Gukbap (영진돼지국밥): Multiple locations in Busan. General Rating: Popular Chain (Based on poll results)