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Hanzo Busan: A Unique Ostrich Meat Restaurant Experience – A Must-Try Culinary Adventure

Recently, I received an intriguing advertisement inquiry for a restaurant unlike any other I’d encountered – a specialty ostrich meat restaurant located in Busan. Ostrich meat? Have you ever tried it? Honestly, before this inquiry, the thought of eating ostrich meat had never even crossed my mind. In fact, the idea sounded quite foreign and, dare I say, a little off-putting at first. Due to this initial unfamiliarity and slight hesitation, I initially declined the advertisement offer. However, my curiosity was piqued.

Despite my initial reluctance for a sponsored post, I found myself genuinely curious about this unusual cuisine. Researching ostrich meat, I discovered that what I perceived as just a novelty food is actually considered a delicacy in Europe and a premium meat in many developed countries like the USA and Japan. In fact, alongside venison and buffalo, ostrich is recognized as one of the world’s top three healthiest red meats. It’s even recommended by the World Heart Foundation as a recovery food for patients, boasting superior nutritional value compared to beef and efficient farming practices. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations even highlights ostrich meat as a future alternative to beef. My curiosity had grown into a genuine desire to try it myself, advertisement or not.

Exploring Ostrich Farming at Dinosaur Ostrich Land in Goseong

Today’s adventure led me to Hanzo, Korea’s only and largest ostrich meat specialty restaurant, located in Busan’s Seo-gu district. But first, to better understand the source of this unique ingredient, I visited the ostrich farm directly operated by the restaurant owner, situated in Goseong, Gyeongnam province. Let me be clear once again: this is not a sponsored review. This entire journey stemmed from my personal curiosity ignited by that initial advertisement inquiry.

My visit took me to “Dinosaur Ostrich Land” in Goseong. Surprisingly, it wasn’t just a farm, but a tourist-friendly ostrich-themed park! For a ₩10,000 entrance fee, you get to experience ostriches and other animals, and even get a complimentary drink. The farm houses approximately 80 ostriches, making it the largest private ostrich farm in Korea. I learned to differentiate between the sexes: males have red beaks and legs with black feathers, while females are generally grey.

Feeding the ostriches was an experience – unlimited feed is provided, though their eating habits aren’t exactly “cute,” unlike gentler animals like goats. I also visited the hatchery, a fascinating glimpse into ostrich breeding. While I didn’t witness hatching on my visit, with luck and timing, you might. In Korea, natural incubation is challenging, so artificial incubation is essential. The farm offers a hands-on experience with various animals beyond ostriches, including pigs, goats, and horses – making it more enjoyable than many zoos I’ve visited. The scenic route to the farm, nestled deep in the mountains, was breathtaking, almost like a Windows desktop background. They also sell unique souvenirs like ostrich feather crafts and cookies made with ostrich eggs.

Interestingly, my visit coincided with an ostrich being taken to the slaughterhouse. Witnessing the capture of an ostrich was unexpectedly intense – a far cry from simply catching a chicken! Their powerful legs and sharp claws are no joke; a kick can break bones. It felt like a scene from a Western movie! Rest assured, the ostrich captured wasn’t for my immediate meal at Hanzo, but it was a striking illustration of the unique journey of this meat.

Dining at Hanzo: Korea’s Unique Ostrich Restaurant in Busan

After the farm visit, I headed to Hanzo, the ostrich meat specialty restaurant in Busan, run by the same owner. The name “Hanzo,” meaning “Korean Ostrich,” is a play on words, similar to “Hanwoo” for Korean beef and “Handon” for Korean pork. Be warned, dining at Hanzo is not inexpensive. Ostrich bone soup is ₩38,000, ostrich yukhoe bibimbap is ₩32,000, and ostrich suyuk and sashimi platters start at ₩90,000 for a small size and ₩150,000 for a regular. The high prices reflect the rarity and premium nature of ostrich meat in Korea, and the owner explained these prices are even reduced to make it more accessible.

I opted for the highly recommended ostrich bone soup, ostrich sashimi, and a fried ostrich egg. Ostrich eggs are displayed, priced according to size (ranging from ₩40,000 to ₩50,000 during my visit; I chose a ₩50,000 one). Ostrich meat is incredibly lean, a high-protein, low-fat meat packed with iron, essential amino acids, and Omega-3s. The owner even shared anecdotes about its potential “energizing” effects, mentioning stories from customers and even his own experience. His wife, a former nurse from the urology department at Busan University Hospital located right across from Hanzo, adds another layer of intrigue to the health focus of this restaurant.

Tasting the Ostrich Dishes

The basic table setting at Hanzo is elegant, featuring fresh ginseng sprouts. Ostrich sashimi comes with seaweed, cheese, makjang (soybean paste), sesame oil, and wasabi. All the ostrich meat served is from the leg, the only part with significant muscle. The ostrich sashimi, visually indistinguishable from beef sashimi, was surprisingly tender, almost melting in my mouth like tuna. It lacked any gamey or unusual smell, tasting very similar to beef sashimi, although perhaps a bit less rich in meaty flavor. Ostrich yukhoe (beef tartare) shared a familiar seasoning and presentation with beef yukhoe, equally tender. The fried ostrich egg, equivalent to about 15 chicken eggs, was served with bread, salad greens, and agave syrup. The egg white was thick and chewy, reminiscent of konjac jelly, while the yolk tasted just like a regular egg yolk, albeit richer. Eating the yolk with bread and syrup was a novel and enjoyable experience.

Ostrich Bone Soup: The Highlight

Finally, the star of the meal – ostrich bone soup. Simmered for two days, the meat in the soup resembled brisket or braised beef. The texture was similar to lean beef, and the broth was clean and unseasoned, unlike typical restaurant 설렁탕 or 곰탕, which often contain MSG. It tasted like homemade bone broth, wholesome and pure. While I personally prefer a bit more seasoning in my soup, the natural, healthy flavor is undeniable, especially given Hanzo’s location near a major hospital. There was no gamey taste, simply a clean, deep bone broth flavor, indistinguishable from beef bone soup if you didn’t know otherwise.

Conclusion: A Unique and Healthy Culinary Experience

In conclusion, while I didn’t experience any dramatic “energizing” effects myself, Hanzo offers a truly unique and healthy dining experience. Ostrich meat, recognized globally as a premium and highly nutritious food, is definitely worth exploring. Hanzo is a must-visit for those seeking a distinctive, health-conscious, and high-quality meal in Busan. It’s a culinary adventure driven by curiosity, not sponsorship, and I highly recommend it for adventurous eaters and health enthusiasts alike. Despite the video data loss during filming, I hope this review provides a valuable insight into this extraordinary restaurant and ingredient.

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