Gwangalli Beach (sometimes also referred to as Gwangan Beach) is a must if you come to Busan as it is the place of Diamond Bridge which glows purple every night making for a fantastic view. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars so whatever night you plan on having Gwangalli can definitely accommodate you while giving you a great atmosphere. Gwangalli open air cafe street is essentially along the beachfront btw. Being by the beach means seafood is available extremely fresh and can be found for sale just around the corner from the beachfront. There you can choose what seafood you want to eat and then take it to a small road-stall (orange tent) where they will cut it up for you and serve 🙂 We ended up choosing raw fish 회 and the sea squirts 멍게회 were service 🙂 (although honestly there not my favourite haha). Here are my Gwangalli Beach photos.
Variety of seafood available.
Some small octopus.
Sea Squirts.
Again… (sorry)
Close up of the Octopus.
These look like flounder.
I am quite sure these are eels (장어).
You won’t run out of choices don’t worry.
Talk to the polite ajumma what you would like.
She looks….
and of coarse she catches it for you.
You can choose to eat above the fish stores and as you can see there is a good choice of restaurants.
There is heaps so feel free to look around here.
The neons make this place look alive.
We decided to take our seafood to a road-stall closer to the beachfront.
We walked past the buses towards the bridge.
A few people obviously parked here and headed on over to the road-stalls (orange tents).
If you keep walking past these few couple there are more closer to the beachfront.
In front of the sign (with the orange writing) is where we ate.
You can walk in to any of these with or without your own seafood 🙂Quick snap of the bridge before we go inside.
Side dishes + seafood = happy 🙂
Sea Squirts were fresh but there is just something about them….
Raw fish 회 in Korea is just great.
The soccer playing in the background.
The service is normally quality in places like this.
A lot of fishing equipment seems to be lined along this walkway.
After dinner we made our way to the beachfront.
After only about 5 minutes we are pretty much there.
Karaoke if you need.
The lights reflecting nicely in the water.
Loads of restaurants, cafes and bars line the roads along the beachfront.
Even if you just get coffee here it is more than enjoyable.
Beaches are clean and there was quite a few people out and about.
More lights.
The Bridge ^.^
Such little waves haha
Very peaceful vibe when walking along here actually.
I think it is lit up for about 4 – 5 hours each night.
Loads of coffee shops and noraebangs.
Second dinner consisted of seafood pajeon 해물파전
It was my gf’s friends birthday so they got her a cake from Paris Baguette.
Obviously make sure to see the Diamond Bridge at night (광안대교).
Another shot of Gwangalli Bridge at night.
For places to stay in Gwangalli Beach
If you are looking to stay at Gwangalli Beach, the Bexco Hotel is pretty hard to beat when it comes to value. It has rooms overlooking the famous Bridge at a reasonable price and with a perfect location.
The Dawn Beach Hotel Busan is another good option and is only a couple of streets back from the beach, which means cafes and restaurants are easily within walking distance.
Guesthouse Mate is located on the northern end of the beach and is also reasonably priced and worth a look.
If you’re looking to be located closer to the train station then White Island B & B is a good option. It is still walking distance to the beach so should be considered 🙂
i dont really like the Sea Squirts too :/ they taste like sea water
How do you know what fish is ok to eat raw? @@ do you just give the fish to the shop owners and they know to sashimi the fish?
Sorry for such a late reply Kinlet, I’m not sure how I missed this comment. Yeh almost all the fish there can be eaten raw and they wouldn’t cut it up unless it was safe to eat. Normally they has a designated shop to which they give it to so you just pick it out and they tell you to go over to a specific tent.
i dont really like the Sea Squirts too :/ they taste like sea water
How do you know what fish is ok to eat raw? @@ do you just give the fish to the shop owners and they know to sashimi the fish?
Sorry for such a late reply Kinlet, I’m not sure how I missed this comment. Yeh almost all the fish there can be eaten raw and they wouldn’t cut it up unless it was safe to eat. Normally they has a designated shop to which they give it to so you just pick it out and they tell you to go over to a specific tent.
Are those orange tents to the northern side of the beach? So we can go there without our seafood and just order from the menu?
Yes, thats correct. If you keep walking right along the beach to the north you will get to those tents.