Michelin-Starred Hitsumabushi in Haeundae: A Must-Try Eel Rice Bowl in Busan
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11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
No Break Time from July 21st to August
Last Order 8:50 PM
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One of the things I was most looking forward to during my Busan trip was Haeundae Haemok.
I had heard that it's one of the most famous restaurants for eel rice bowl (Hitsumabushi) in Busan, and that it was even featured in the Michelin Guide.
I don't usually eat eel that often, but I figured I couldn't pass up a Michelin-recommended restaurant suggested by a local while I was in Busan.
Upon arriving, the wait at Haeundae Haemok was indeed as legendary as I'd heard. There were a whopping 55 teams ahead of me! ㅠㅠ
At first, I wasn't sure if I could wait, but I couldn't bring myself to turn back after coming all this way.
Luckily, they had a Tableing waiting system, so I put my name down and spent some time at a nearby cafe.
After about 50 minutes, I was finally able to enter.
The first thing I noticed upon entering was the Blue Ribbon Survey badge!
The interior was quite spacious, more than I expected, and the tables were arranged lengthwise into the back.
We were guided to a table in the back, and the space was ample, allowing for a comfortable dining experience.
There were empty seats here and there, but it seemed they waited until a table was completely cleaned before seating new customers.
✔️Hitsumabushi
Looking at the menu, the signature dish was, of course, Hitsumabushi. They also had kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) and fried dishes, but most customers were ordering the eel rice bowl.
Without hesitation, I ordered the basic Hitsumabushi. If you think the regular size won't be enough, you can order the special size for a more generous portion.
Each table had instructions on how to enjoy the dish, which was helpful for first-timers like myself.
The staff also explained it again, recommending that we divide the eel rice bowl into four portions to eat.
Finally, the long-awaited eel rice bowl arrived! The moment I took the first bite, I was amazed!
The eel was thick and substantial, with a great texture. Most importantly, I couldn't feel any bones at all, so I could enjoy it cleanly until the very end.
There was almost no greasiness that's often associated with eel, and the rice and sauce were well-balanced, making it easy to enjoy.
I haven't had eel rice bowl that many times before, but I can confidently say that this was the best I've ever had!
I enjoyed eating it as is, but personally, I liked the ochazuke style (with tea) the best.
The warm broth surrounded the rice and eel, creating a new flavor profile.
My friend who went with me liked eating it with the condiments the most. I think being able to enjoy it according to your own taste is the charm of Hitsumabushi.
I finished the last fourth portion in the ochazuke style, which I found the most delicious. Thanks to that, I was able to finish the meal cleanly without getting tired of it.
As I was leaving after the meal, I thought this was a place where I would definitely order the eel rice bowl again next time.
It seems there aren't many places in Busan where you can taste such carefully prepared eel rice bowl.
The wait was long, but it was totally worth it.
That's why I highly recommend it to anyone planning a gourmet trip to Busan.
After visiting, I felt that the Michelin-recommended title was well-deserved.
Haeundae Haemok excels in food taste, atmosphere, and service. It could easily become a favorite restaurant for those who love eel rice bowl.
Even those who aren't familiar with eel can easily give it a try thanks to its clean and approachable taste.
If you want to taste authentic Busan eel rice bowl on your Busan trip, I recommend Haeundae Haemok!
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