Things to do in Seomyeon, Busan

Sights1

1. Jeonpo Café Street

   Old tool-shop lanes now full of independent cafés and dessert shops.

   • Best time and how long: Afternoon · 1 h
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   Old tool-shop lanes in Jeonpo-dong, now filled with independent cafés, dessert shops and vintage stores.

   Why go

   Young locals café-hop here, and The New York Times put it on its 2017 places-to-go list.

   Good to know

   Walk from Exit 7 of Jeonpo Station on Line 2, and check your café’s days off first.

   Sources: busanjin.go.kr

Markets1

1. Bujeon Market

   A big everyday market by Seomyeon where Busan people shop for groceries.

   • Best time and how long: Morning, lunch, afternoon · 45 min
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   One of Busan’s largest traditional markets, started by Korean War refugees, with seafood, produce and market food.

   Why go

   Locals still do their grocery shopping here, so you see everyday Busan, not a tourist stop.

   Good to know

   Go in the morning, when it is busiest, from Exit 1 of Bujeon Station on Line 1.

   Sources: busanjin.go.kr

Food1

1. Seomyeon Pork Rice Soup Alley

   A Seomyeon lane of old pork rice soup shops, Busan’s everyday meal.

   • Best time and how long: Lunch, dinner · 45 min
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   Old shops by Seomyeon Market serving dwaeji-gukbap, Busan’s pork-bone soup with rice.

   Why go

   It is Busan’s everyday meal, and one founding shop here has served it for some eighty years.

   Good to know

   Seomyeon Station on Lines 1 and 2 is a short walk away. Order dwaeji-gukbap and season it yourself with the salted shrimp and chives on the table.

Outdoors1

1. Busan Citizens Park

   A big city park on a former US Army base that Busan won back.

   • Best time and how long: Morning, afternoon · 1 h
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   A large park on Camp Hialeah, a former US Army base that citizens campaigned to win back.

   Why go

   Seomyeon families picnic here on weekends, and winning the land back still matters to the city.

   Good to know

   It is free and open daily, but cooking is not allowed. Walk about ten minutes from Exit 1 of Bujeon Station.

   Sources: citizenpark.or.kr

Shopping1

1. Seomyeon Underground Shopping Center

   An underground arcade of clothes and cosmetics under Seomyeon Station.

   • Best time and how long: Afternoon, evening · 30 min
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   A city-run arcade under Jungang-daero, running from Seomyeon Station, with clothes, accessories and cosmetics.

   Why go

   Locals shop here on the way to work, and it keeps you dry and cool on hot or rainy days.

   Good to know

   It connects straight to Seomyeon Station and closes on the first Tuesday of each month.

   Sources: bisco.or.kr

Night out1

1. Seomyeon 1beonga Food & Nightlife Street

   Busan’s main night-out street of restaurants, pochas and bars.

   • Best time and how long: Dinner, evening · 1.5 h
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   The core of Seomyeon’s restaurants, bars and shops, with the pork soup alley at its edge.

   Why go

   It is Busan’s main night out for young people, busiest on weekend evenings.

   Good to know

   Come in the evening via Exit 7 of Seomyeon Station and sit down at a pocha or a chicken-and-beer place.

   Sources: busanjin.go.kr

Premium experiences1

Fine dining, art, hanok stays, concert halls

1. Lotte Department Store Busan Main Branch

   Busan’s flagship Lotte department store in Seomyeon, with a food hall.

   • Best time and how long: Afternoon · 1.5 h
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   Lotte’s Busan flagship, connected to Seomyeon Station, with fashion and beauty floors and a food hall.

   Why go

   It is downtown Busan’s main department store, and the food hall is an easy stop for a meal or gifts.

   Good to know

   It connects to Seomyeon Station on Lines 1 and 2. Bring your passport for the on-the-spot tax refund. Closing days change monthly, so check first.