There is a 부산(Busan) I would love to introduce to you
Hello. This is 와앙(Waang).
Thank you for coming to Waang.
What comes to mind first when you think of 부산(Busan)? The sea at 해운대(Haeundae) and 광안리(Gwangalli), 돼지국밥(Dwaeji Gukbap) (pork rice soup) and 밀면(Milmyeon) (Busan-style cold wheat noodles), the dialect you’ve heard in movies, or the cheering scenes at 사직구장(Sajik Gujang).
For some, it’s a place they want to visit every summer; for others, it’s a city that first brings to mind the food they want to eat. If you live away from Busan, you might think first of the restaurant you used to visit often or the neighborhood where you spent time with friends.
When Waang hears the phrase “Busan full course,” it thinks of the desire to introduce a friend visiting Busan to the places you love. A day spent sharing a meal at your regular spot, showing them a sea you treasure, and telling them stories about the neighborhood on the way home.
The route you walk and the stories you share will change depending on who is doing the introducing. In that spirit, we want to discover the Busan each person holds dear, together.
That’s how Waang began.
Because we hope you’ll enjoy Busan in a way that feels more distinctly Busan - and even more fun.
We hope you’ll happily revisit the places that come to mind when you think of Busan, discover neighborhoods and stories you didn’t know before, and find a Busan that suits your own tastes. We want Waang to help make your day a little more special: enjoying a delicious meal, walking a path you like, and learning one story connected to the place.
From One Meal to a Walk Around the Neighborhood
When traveling in Busan, there are probably plenty of things you want to eat and places you want to visit. But once you finish a meal, you often find yourself wondering all over again where to go next.
People who live in Busan probably have similar moments. The places you always visit are comfortable, but on a day off, you may want to explore a different neighborhood. We hope Waang can be a guide you can turn to on days like that.
That’s why Waang brings together Busan’s restaurants and food, things to see and enjoy, culture and stories, and travel itineraries.
We want you to be able to start with the food you’re craving, look around nearby, and visit a place that sparked your curiosity while you were reading. We hope choosing a meal naturally leads to an outing for the day.
Busan Looks Different Once You Know Its Stories
Above all, what I want to share with you are the stories held within the Busan we eat, walk through, and look out at. The story of how a bowl of food came to take root here, the names left behind in an alley, and the everyday lives of the people who have worked and lived in that neighborhood.
Once you know those stories, the next time you pass through the same place, you may notice things a little differently. We want to share the joy of becoming curious about a dish you once enjoyed and pausing for a moment in front of a sign you had passed without a second thought.
To me, “enjoying Busan in a way that feels like Busan” also means learning about the everyday lives of the people who live in this city. The restaurant someone visits often, the path they walk on their days off, and the places they take visitors will each have their own reasons.
As these stories build up, I think it will become a little easier for people visiting Busan for the first time to discover places that suit their own tastes.
Tell Us About the Busan You Know
That’s why Waang also needs the stories you have to share. Tell us about food you enjoyed, places you want to visit again, and little tips you picked up after going somewhere.
Feel free to ask questions, and if you know something, we’d love for you to add to the answer. A traveler may see a familiar view that someone who has lived here for a long time has taken for granted in a whole new way. I also want to keep learning more about Busan through each other’s experiences.
Save the places you like, and leave your own experience at the restaurants you’ve visited. We’ve also prepared the fun of leaving your footprints at each location and collecting regional stamps in an online passport.
When you open Waang next time, we hope you’ll be able to look at the places you want to visit and the places you’ve been, and remember your time in Busan.
For Visitors and Busan Residents Alike
Whether you’re visiting Busan for the first time, have traveled here many times, or spend every day here, we hope you’ll find at least one place you want to visit on Waang.
I’d be so happy if, on your way home after a trip, you found yourself thinking about which neighborhood to visit next - or if a weekend spent a little differently from usual stayed with you.
We’ll look through and fill Waang with places and stories one by one. We’ll also listen closely to the experiences you share and to information that has changed.
Today, you can start by choosing one thing you want to eat and one story you want to read.
Where would you like to go first in Busan?
I’m curious about the day you’ll begin there.
With love from Waang.
