Busan Pork Soup Showdown: Discovering the True Local Favorite, Yangsando Pork Rice Soup

Busan, a vibrant city in South Korea, is renowned for its delicious cuisine, and among its culinary gems, 돼지국밥 (Dwaeji Gukbap), or pork rice soup, stands out as a must-try. Recently, a local Busan newspaper conducted a poll asking Busan natives to vote for their favorite pork rice soup restaurants. The results sparked a city-wide debate and culinary adventure, leading me to explore the top contenders.

The Busan Local’s Choice: Top 3 Pork Soup Restaurants

The poll featured 39 popular pork rice soup spots, highlighting the intense competition for the title of Busan’s best. The results were quite decisive:

1. 양산집 (Yangsan House) – Claimed the top spot with an overwhelming 51% of the votes. Located in Jung-gu, Busan.
2. 영진돼지국밥 (Youngjin Pork Rice Soup) – Secured second place with 27% of the votes. A well-known chain with numerous locations in Busan.
3. 양산도 돼지국밥 (Yangsando Pork Rice Soup) Haeundae Main Branch – Came in third with 8% of the votes. Situated in Haeundae.

Intriguingly, none of these top 3 restaurants were featured on the famous Korean TV show “Baek Jong-won’s Alley Restaurant,” adding a layer of local authenticity to this ranking.

First Stop: Yangsando Pork Rice Soup – A Surprising Delight

Initially aiming for the number one ranked Yangsan House, my plans were disrupted by a New Year’s Day closure. After another restaurant choice also turned out to be closed, I reluctantly decided to try Yangsando Pork Rice Soup, the third-ranked contender. With no prior expectations and a slight price premium, I ordered the 맑은 국밥 (Malgeun Gukbap), the clear broth version, as I prefer a cleaner taste.

To my utter surprise, Yangsando Pork Rice Soup was phenomenal! As someone who only occasionally enjoys pork soup, this experience was a game-changer. It was, without exaggeration, the best pork rice soup I had ever tasted. Unlike typical milky white pork soups, Yangsando’s broth was clear and pristine, completely devoid of any porky odor, yet deeply flavorful and rich. This was a uniquely refreshing and clean take on a classic dish.

The Highly Anticipated #1: Yangsan House – Did It Live Up to the Hype?

Intrigued by the stark contrast and the overwhelming victory of Yangsan House in the poll, I had to visit the top-ranked restaurant. The next day, I headed to Yangsan House in Jung-gu. Despite a short wait due to its popularity, I finally got to try their famed pork rice soup. I ordered the 섞어국밥 (Seokkeo Gukbap), mixed pork and offal soup.

While Yangsan House’s pork soup was undoubtedly tasty, it was a different kind of surprise compared to Yangsando. It tasted like a standard, widely available pork rice soup found throughout Korea. It was good, but it lacked the distinctiveness that truly defines a “맛집 (Matjib)” – a truly delicious restaurant. It felt like a solid, traditional pork rice soup, but not something particularly special or unique to Busan, despite its 65-year history and top ranking.

The Verdict: Uniqueness Trumps Popularity

While Yangsan House offered a classic and comforting pork rice soup experience, Yangsando Pork Rice Soup stood out for its unique, clear broth and exceptionally clean and flavorful taste. For me, Yangsando represented a genuine Busan culinary discovery, offering a distinct experience unlike any other pork rice soup I’ve encountered. Taste is subjective, but in my personal culinary journey, Yangsando Pork Rice Soup, the underdog in the poll, emerged as the true champion and a must-visit for anyone seeking an exceptional and unique Busan pork soup experience.

Restaurant Information (Yangsando Pork Rice Soup):

• Name: 양산도 돼지국밥 (Yangsando Pork Rice Soup) Haeundae Main Branch
• Location: Haeundae, Busan (본점 – Main Branch indicates location is Haeundae)
• Rating: (Implied by poll rank) 3rd place in Busan Local’s Choice