This place ruined non-marinated galbi for me forever because i’ll never be satisfied with galbi until I return here. Will let you taste the succulent bites through the photos.
You know it’s going to be good when they bring coals that look like this
immaculate grill… not for long!
side dishes
you can tell the quality of the restaurant not by its interior, but by its salt.
perfectly marbleized, non-marinated kalbi. pure, undoctored, just the way i like my men.
can you hear the people sing, singing the song of sizzling meat…
almost there
couldn’t think of a better marriage
ordered the potato noodles as per J’s recommendation
let the sauce mix with the kalbi runoff and then completely reduce before eating. The waitress frantically waved us off from the grill when she saw us eating the noodles prematurely.
soft, tender, meat soaked potato noodles
J made a reservation for us at a famous Busan bulgogi (marinated beef bbq) restaurant, but we went to the wrong restaurant, the bootleg version; nevertheless, still the most delicious bulgogi we’ve had yet.
Nothing like coal fired bbq to make the meat psychologically taste better for me.
bulgogi and enoki mushrooms
shredded green onion salad
bulgogi bite on a bed of shredded green onion salad
fatty meat, forgot the name of it, but there are only 2 options of meat, so process of elimination.
grilled shittake
kimchi jiggae (stew)
A visit to a museum of steel wasn’t exactly on my radar when I researched places to go in Busan. But like most things in life, my life at least, the unexpected have proven to be some of my best experiences. It was serendipity to had met J through N in Seoul during a casual dinner just before our trip to Busan. N, being a trusted friend, referred to J as “the king of Busan,” who we later discovered, very much deserves that title. J proceeded to plan our entire itinerary, which included a visit to the Kiswire Museum. And I was just going to “google” activities for our trip. Thank god for hospitable locals.
Steel is prevalent and essential in all of our modern needs. It’s not something I would normally think about, much less appreciate, that is until I visited Kiswire Museum. You’ll find German-made machinery from the past to present for the production of reinforced wires and ropes and discover its manifold applications to our every day life. Steel is both extremely strong, relatively weather resistant, and flexible to support high traffic or frequent usage.
Not only is the content within the space fascinating, but the building is an architectural marvel designed by a famous Korean architect, Cho ByoungSoo. I’ve always been partial to steel and imagine my future home (after I win the lottery) to be a sort of looking glass to reflect the surrounding natural environment, comprised of imposing glass windows, steel frames, concrete, with accented by wide wood slabs. Wandering through the museum, I got the feel this idea was also Cho’s intention that he seamlessly incorporated with the Kiswire heritage. Much like steel and its contribution to industrialization, the architecture reflects the wonder of progress and innovation.
I would recommend a visit to the Kiswire Museum for adults and children 5-years and older. It is both candy for the eyes and an educational experience. And not “educational” in the typical mundane, sleep-inducing way. It is truly magical. Since our visit, it’s been fun watching my 5-year-old point out steel cables on bridges and cranes and the like.
Photo of museum. I couldn’t be bothered to change to a wide-angled lens.
This photo represents industrialization with respect for nature.
Joint used on most bridges.
Cross section of previous joint composed of 11,544 wires to support the weight of the bridge.
Look closely and find the joints.
see photo below for steel coil usage in MRI’s
Various sized cables depending on application to support weight.
Kiswire used to make steel bed frames.
Old steel production machine.
Playing with my nifty camera lens. Steel makes for artsy photos. This is a steel cabled wall that I intend on copying someday.
These steel cables hold up a 850 ton concrete roof which creates more usable floor space without having unsightly columns. When I asked why people don’t do this all the time, the answer was simple, “it’s expensive.”
Steel threading (bad photo but you can sort of see it below the black rubber) as well as tire frame (not photographed)
Steel used in pianos. Kiswire no longer manufactures wires for pianos.
Photo of the original Kiswire factory (now they have 40+ around the world) converted to F1963, a multi-purpose space for art exhibits and retail.
Solar panels always induce positive feelings in me. It makes me happy to know that there are people who care about alternative energy and thus, the environment.
Adjacent to the Kiswire Museum is F1963, the original factory converted to a “cultural factory” that includes a multi-purpose exhibit/concert space, book store, Terarosa cafe, restaurant, library, and green houses. Again, designed by famed Korean architect, Cho ByoungSoo.
Bamboo forest in front of the gallery reminiscent of steel cable wires.
Event space conversion in progress for a concert event. Same space is used for art exhibits.
Event space conversion in progress for a concert event. Same space is used for art exhibits.
Parts of the original factory preserved in the building, such as this window.
Parts of the original factory preserved in the building, such as this ceiling joint.
Boksoondoga restaurant located in the F1963, offers modern Korean dishes and traditionally brewed sonmakgeolli as seen in this photo
Boksoondoga restaurant: sonmakgeolli
Boksoondoga restaurant: bulgogi
Boksoondoga restaurant: chive seafood pancake
Boksoondoga restaurant: tofu and kimchi
Boksoondoga restaurant: mandoo or steamed dumpling
Boksoondoga restaurant: acorn jelly salad
Boksoondoga restaurant: cold noodles in black sesame sauce
Boksoondoga restaurant: seafood spaghetti
Terarosa Coffee, located inside F1963. Expansive interior with good sound insulation. There’s nothing more annoying than factory converted dining spots where you have to strain to hear the person next to you because of the deafening hodgepodge of echos. Terarosa Coffee is not like that. Very zen. Best coffee we’ve had yet in Korea, South Korea.
Terarosa Coffee
Terarosa Coffee
Terarosa Coffee baristas.
F1963 expansion. I always love watching works in progress. It’s like being privy to secrets previously unknown, where I sometimes erroneously assume I can “do it myself” and save money without having to hire someone until I find out it’s not only more expensive when I DIY, but shitty too. Artists make it look so easy, that’s when you know they’re good at their craft.
F1963 expansion in progress
F1963: Future site of a greenhouse/cafe
F1963 Art Library: just wow. The daughter of the Kiswire founder is a huge arts and culture enthusiast and it shows at F1963. I can spend all day here perusing this enormous collection of art books
F1963 Art Library: Goodness, what a privilege it was to be able to touch, peruse through this collection of original LIFE magazines. It was like going into a time machine and imagining myself living in the 1960’s.
Gosh, MLK was alive when this was published. Did the reader realize then what profound impact he’d have on US history?
Remember cigarette ads being legal? Not I. I’m too young.
Originally built in 1376 and reconstructed in 1970, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is nestled in the mountains along the coast of NE Busan. I love the purity and simplicity of Buddhist temples, and they make me feel closer to my late grandparents.
Chinese zodiac statues
post
Haenyeo, or female divers, Village comprises of freshly caught seafood stalls by generations of women who run a vertical business: catch, clean, prepare, and sales. I definitely put this on my top three must visit destinations. You can taste the generational love of each badass ahjumma 아줌마, in each delectable bite.
Seafood stalls
Gukje Market materialized during the Korean War as a place for people to earn a living and has since grown to a main attraction where you’ll find locals and tourists alike haggling over every day wares, gifts, cigarettes, panties, etc. You can find virtually anything here including a craft coffee shop nestled somewhere between the pantyhose and kitchen pots stalls. Despite being a tourist destination, I never felt harassed by vendors, which was pleasantly refreshing since in the past, I had experienced enough anxiety to steer clear from touristy areas in other countries. Take a 30-minute walk through the alleyways, but be sure to leave a trail of breadcrumbs so you can find your way back.
Façade
Interior. I usually blur out strangers’ faces because I don’t want to be responsible for any break-ups or black eyes.
Fresh ddukbokki (떡볶이)
Dried fish (duh). I’d eat it straight, though not sure what is the correct way to consume. I could ask a Korean person, but that would require effort.
Mini watermelons: Vendors freshly extract and blend the meat, then return the juice to its original home for you to drink. Naturally super sweet and refreshing! The drink costs ₩8000 for me, but probably ₩4000 for everyone else who doesn’t look like a sucker.
Garlic stems are my FAVORITE vegetable! Well, one of them. I only wish I had a kitchen to stir fry them with dollops of garlic, Chinese style. You’ll find all sorts of crispy fresh vegetables at the market.
I save the best for last. My friend talked sense into me when I nearly bought a jar of salted shrimp so I could take it with me to all the restaurants. I eat this on everything, EVERYTHING—eggs, kalbi, french fries…
We stayed at one of many hotels lined along Haeundae Beach in a room with unobstructed ocean views. Spent every night on the balcony, which is where I’m typing right now, listening to ebbs and flows of the waves intermingled with nightly live music below while being soothed by the butterfly kisses of the oceanside breeze. It’s a location perfect for watching people stroll along the boardwalk or socializing in the myriad of outdoor lounges without having to move, apart for the occasional bathroom breaks.
Haeundae Beach
Evening horizon
View to the left
View to the right
Another view to the right
I saw (and heard) personal fireworks go off every night which sounded more like a bird’s whistle than a BOOM. I’m sure there are a few vendors who sell these near the boardwalk, just make sure you get your money back if you get a dud (like the dude in the video got).
Across the street from the Jalgalchi Market is a restaurant that serves assorted raw seafood.
회백밥 aka “regular course meal with raw fish”
해물모듬 aka “assorted seafood.” various clam varieties and writhing octopus
해물모듬 aka “assorted seafood.” various clam varieties and writhing octopus
생선 수프 : fish soup that comes with the assorted seafood menu.
First stop from the Busan train station is the largest seafood market in Korea.
Façade of the fish market. I was too lazy to switch to a wide-angle lens, so here’s a crappy cropped photo of the building.
View behind the Jalgalchi market
View behind the Jalgalchi market.
Interior. Buy live seafood here and they’ll send it up to the upper seating levels to cook for you. We didn’t do this because we had dinner reservations across the street.
Pick your eel(s)
skinned, headless, writhing eels
More eels
Assorted shellfish