Korea Day 5: A Slow Day in Busan’s Gwangalli, from Little Shops to Sea Views

18 March 2026

KTX HIGH-SPEED TRAIN TO BUSAN

Time for Busan! On Day 5, I took the KTX high-speed train from Seoul to Busan. I’d booked my ticket there in advance, but kept putting off booking the return journey. When I finally checked, every departure I looked at was sold out except for one timing! I was so shocked that I booked it straight away. Please learn from my procrastination and sort out both journeys once your plans are firm, especially if you need to return at a particular time.

A window seat and a tub of YOZM Greek yogurt for the KTX journey. So thick and creamy compared with my usual yogurt! Next stop, Busan.

After arriving at Busan Station, I headed outside and walked a short distance to the taxi stand. There's a sign for directions to the taxi stand, so there is no need to worry. From there, I took a taxi to my hotel, ready to settle in before exploring.

“Busan is good.” A rainy welcome outside Busan Station.

HOTEL CENTRAL BAY

I took ages to choose my hotel. With several beach areas to consider, I wanted somewhere with a lovely ocean view that would also be reasonably convenient. Eventually, I settled on Hotel Central Bay, right along the Gwangalli beachfront.

Getting there, however, was a little less relaxing. From Busan station, my taxi dropped me behind the hotel. Since I didn’t know any better, I got out with my luggage. Unfortunately, the rear entrance was not accessible and Naver Maps kept directing me towards a rear entrance that wasn’t open. After walking up and down a slope while trudging my luggage along, I was feeling rather irritable by the time I finally found the front entrance.

But then when I opened the door to my room, all was forgiven. It felt so cosy, and the view of Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge was beautiful. Suddenly, the frustrating arrival didn’t matter quite so much. I had such a comfortable stay here and would happily recommend it, especially if an ocean view is high on your list. Just make sure you book a room with one!

A cosy room with Gwangan Bridge framed by the window. Suddenly, the frustrating arrival was forgotten.

The bathroom at Hotel Central Bay, complete with a bathtub for a relaxing soak.

Settling into my window-side seat, watching the waves roll onto Gwangalli Beach. Exactly the view I’d hoped for.

Address: 189 Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan, South Korea

Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qZyLFsiszJszsMQC7

Room Type: Deluxe Twin Ocean View (Double + Single)

Price: $624.34 (4 nights)

LUNCH AT NASARI SIGDANG

For lunch, I headed to Nasari Sigdang, drawn by its large windows overlooking Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge. A bowl of noodles with a sea view sounded like a lovely way to begin my time in Busan.

I ordered their their Haemul Wang Kalguksu, or seafood knife-cut noodle soup, which arrived piled with shellfish, including mussels and scallops. Unfortunately, the broth wasn’t quite to my taste. Much like the clam noodles I’d tried at Jojo Kalguksu in Seoul, I felt like it lacked the seafood sweetness and savoury depth I was hoping for.

The view was lovely, though! I was tempted to open the window for a clearer photo, but wasn’t sure whether it was allowed, especially with the cold weather outside. Then a pair of tourists came in and opened it for their photos. Instant regret for not asking!

A generous bowl of seafood kalguksu at Nasari Sigdang, with Gwangalli Beach and Gwangan Bridge framed by the window. Lunch came with a lovely view!

Nasari Sigdang, Gwangan Branch (나사리식당 광안점)

Address: 3F, 60 Gwangan-ro 61beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan

Opening hours:

• Sunday–Friday: 10 am–10 pm; last order 9:30 pm

• Saturday: 10 am–11 pm; last order 10:30 pm

WANDERING AROUND GWANGALLI

After lunch, I wandered around Gwangalli, browsing the little shops near the beach. One of my favourite finds was Orange Bada, filled with illustrated postcards, Busan-themed souvenirs and creations by local artists. Such a lovely place to browse and pick up a little reminder of the trip!

Orange Bada’s inviting little shopfront, with the beachfront reflected in its windows.

Busan in postcards, from seaside sunsets to colourful neighbourhoods. So many lovely illustrations at Orange Bada!

Tiny flowers, knotted fish and many shimmery bracelets. Plenty of little temptations at Orange Bada.

Illustrated mugs and glasses beneath a “long time no sea” print. Such a fitting souvenir from Busan.

Another favourite was Things of Note, a bright little corner shop filled with accessories and other lovely finds. I especially liked the delicate flower bracelets, which I couldn’t resist trying on. Exactly the kind of shop I love taking my time to browse!

Things of Note, a bright corner shop with shelves of little finds to browse.

Trying on delicate flower bracelets in two shades of pink. Such pretty little details!

A tray of colourful beaded bracelets, each with its own mix of colours and textures.

The ultimate favourite find was definitely Cosymosy, a lovely little shop filled with beautiful ceramics, tableware and home accessories. But the greatest highlight for me was its adorable resident cat. Such a cutie pie, with the softest fur! hey also spritzed their shop card with their fragrance before handing it to me. Such a thoughtful little touch, and a lovely scent to remember the shop by.

A fluffy figure wrapped in fairy lights greeted me at Cosymosy’s entrance. Already very promising!

Cat portraits beside a fluffy feline charm. A little preview of the shop’s most important residents!

Soft light through sheer curtains, warm wooden tables and beautiful ceramics. Such a lovely space to browse slowly.

Beautiful ceramics, stationery and flowers beneath a warm pendant light. One of my favourite little finds in Gwangalli.

Plates, bowls and mugs in soft blues, greens and earthy tones. Choosing just one was so difficult.

Little sheep-shaped chopstick rests on a blue-rimmed plate. Even the smallest pieces were full of character.

Tiny ceramic cat chopstick rests, complete with their own slightly grumpy expressions. Super cute!

Ceramic cups and mugs, each with its own shape, colour and glaze. I love the ones who look like beaches.

A whole flock of fluffy bird charms, with pink feet and the cutest little outfits.

A peach-shaped plate with a soft pink blush and little green leaves. I regret not buying it!

The real highlight of Cosymosy, comfortably loafing. That fur was so soft! What a cutie pie!

Cutie pie was frightened by a sudden sound I recall.

I really enjoyed shopping around Gwangalli. If you like browsing little shops filled with thoughtfully chosen ceramics, illustrations, homeware and souvenirs, you’ll probably enjoy it here too. Each shop seemed to have its own personality, which made wandering around so enjoyable. If you’re mainly looking for fashion brands or luxury shopping, though, the area might feel a little limited.

Wandering through Gwangalli’s side streets, with little shops and cafés along the way.

A quieter side of Gwangalli, away from the beachfront.

V. Vanilla House, with its buttery-yellow exterior and wooden doors. Another shop I passed by while browsing the neighbourhood.

A little “closed” sign interrupted my browsing plans. There were a few shops that were unfortunately closed. Maybe next time!

Peering into one of the shops that were closed. The ocean-themed keychains are so pretty though!

A pastel-pink building tucked among Gwangalli’s quieter streets.

A bright yellow bench, two plush orangutans and one enormous smile outside Happy Bottle.

A little more browsing at Panier as the evening drew in.

Little pebble-like characters with tiny smiles, hats and scarves. Even the smallest finds had so much personality.

A knitted carrot, a fluffy sushi roll and little characters in denim overalls. So many playful bag charms to browse!

Shopping and strolling along the beach blended into one leisurely afternoon. The sea was often just a glance away as I browsed the shops, so it never really felt like two separate activities. I took my time wandering along the beachfront, enjoying the view without much of a plan. Before I knew it, it was already time for dinner!

“Hello, Gwangalli!” Bright red letters with Gwangan Bridge stretching across the sea behind them.

Gentle waves rolling onto Gwangalli Beach beneath a cloudy sky. No rush to be anywhere else.

A cheerful yellow bench beneath a beach umbrella. A really nice place to sit down and relax while watching the sea.

DINNER AT HANDASOT

For dinner, I headed to Handasot and ordered the snow crab pot rice. It was quite fragrant and made for a satisfying meal, though I was a little confused about how to eat it at first.

Instructions for enjoying Handasot’s pot rice. I still needed a little help understanding the scorched-rice-water step!

After transferring the rice into a separate bowl, you pour hot water over the crust left in the pot and leave it covered while you eat. I sipped the water and it tasted rather mild, and I wondered whether I’d done it wrongly. Apparently you are supposed to enjoy the softened scorched rice for enjoying, but I missed this part of the experience.

Snow crab pot rice at Handasot, served with soup and a selection of little side dishes. A fragrant, satisfying dinner.

Handasot, Main Branch (한다솥 본점)

Address: 1F, 101 Namcheonbada-ro 33beon-gil, Suyeong-gu, Busan

Opening hours: Daily, 11 am–9 pm.

AFTER DINNER...

I took another leisurely stroll along Gwangalli Beach, this time with Gwangan Bridge all lit up against the night sky. Then it was back to the hotel, with a few treats for the evening. I’d enjoyed the YOZM yogurt so much that I bought the strawberry flavour to try, along with some strawberry banana milk. A little snacking, a little doomscrolling, and it was time to call it a night.

Gwangan Bridge glowing pink and blue, with its colours rippling across the water. A lovely view for an evening stroll.

Strawberry YOZM yogurt and strawberry banana milk back at the hotel, with the bridge still glowing outside. Time to snack, scroll and call it a night.

I’m not sure whether it was the sea, the change of scenery or simply how I was feeling, but I felt noticeably calmer in Busan. Even though I’d been taking things quite slowly in Seoul too, there was something about being here that made everything feel a little less hurried. I was very happy to settle into that pace.

Love,

Shu