Busan Yongdusan Park and BIFF Square: Old Downtown Street Food Walk

Short answer: Busan's old downtown around Nampo-dong is one of the easiest half-day walks in the city. Get off at Nampo Station on subway Line 1, ride the outdoor escalators up to Yongdusan Park for the view from Busan Tower, walk back down to Gwangbok-ro, then wander into BIFF Square for seed-filled hotteok and other street snacks. If you still have energy, Gukje Market and Bupyeong Kkangtong Market are a few minutes away, and Jagalchi Fish Market is across the road. Plan two to four hours, wear comfortable shoes and bring some cash for street stalls.

This guide walks you through the route in a sensible order, explains what each stop is, and gives practical tips so you can enjoy old Busan without getting lost in its maze of alleys.

Why this area is worth a visit

Before Haeundae and Seomyeon became the busy centers they are today, Nampo-dong and Gwangbok-dong were the heart of Busan. The port, the fish market, the cinemas and the big shopping streets were all here. Many families who fled south during the Korean War settled in this area and set up stalls that grew into today's markets. Walking here feels very different from the glass towers of Haeundae: narrow lanes, old signs, food carts and a lot of local life.

It is also compact. Almost everything in this guide sits within roughly a 15-minute walk of Nampo Station, so you can link the stops on foot without taxis or buses.

Getting there

By subway

Take Busan Metro Line 1 to Nampo Station. Several exits lead into the shopping streets; the escalators up to Yongdusan Park start from the Gwangbok-ro side, a short walk from the station. Exit numbers are quoted differently in different guides, so the simplest method is to follow the station signs for "Yongdusan Park" or search the park in Naver Map or Kakao Map, which give reliable walking directions in Korea.

Jagalchi Station, one stop away on the same line, is closer to the fish market and BIFF Square if you prefer to start at the other end.

From Busan Station

If you arrive by KTX, Nampo is only a few stops south on Line 1, so this walk works well on your first or last afternoon in the city. Many people drop their bags in a station locker first.

Stop 1: Yongdusan Park and Busan Tower

Yongdusan Park sits on a small hill right above the shopping district. Instead of climbing stairs, you can ride a series of outdoor escalators from Gwangbok-ro up to the top, which is one of the small joys of this area. There are also stairways and an elevator route from the Nampo-dong side if the escalators are busy.

At the top you will find:

Busan Tower (now branded the Busan Diamond Tower), an observation tower of roughly 120 meters with views over the port, the bridges and the hillside neighborhoods. Entry is paid; check the current ticket price at the ticket office or on the official site.
The flower clock, a popular photo spot near the escalator exit.
The statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the naval hero who defended Korea's southern coast in the 1590s.
The Citizen's Bell pavilion, rung on special occasions such as New Year's Eve.

The park itself is free, and even without going up the tower you get pleasant views between the trees. Late afternoon is a good time: you see the harbor in daylight and can watch the lights come on as you head down to the street food.

Stop 2: Gwangbok-ro Fashion Street

Come down the escalators and you are on Gwangbok-ro, a long pedestrian-friendly shopping street with Korean and international clothing brands, cosmetics shops and cafes. It is especially pretty in December, when the street is usually decorated for the Busan Christmas Tree Culture Festival. If you are visiting in winter, check whether the festival is running during your dates.

Lotte Department Store Gwangbok sits at the end of the street near the water, with a rooftop garden that offers another free harbor view.

Stop 3: BIFF Square street food

BIFF Square takes its name from the Busan International Film Festival, which began here in the 1990s when this neighborhood was full of cinemas. The festival's main venues have since moved to the Centum City area, but the square still has handprints of famous directors and actors set into the pavement, and the street is lined with food stalls.

What to eat

Ssiat hotteok – Busan's signature version of the sweet pancake. It is fried, then cut open and stuffed with a mix of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and other nuts on top of the brown sugar syrup. This is the snack most people come for, and there are often lines at the popular stalls.
Eomuk (fish cake) – Busan is famous for fish cakes. Look for skewers simmering in broth; the broth is usually free to sip from a paper cup.
Tteokbokki and twigim – spicy rice cakes with fried snacks, a classic market combination.
Glass noodles (japchae) and dumplings – often sold at the same stalls.

Most stalls display their prices on the cart. Hours vary by vendor, and stalls are busiest from late afternoon into the evening. Some accept cards or transfers, but small cash notes make things faster.

Stop 4: Gukje Market and Bupyeong Kkangtong Market

Just north of BIFF Square, Gukje Market ("International Market") is a huge grid of alleys selling everything from kitchenware and clothes to vintage goods and household items. It grew after the Korean War when refugees traded goods here, and it became widely known through the 2014 film Ode to My Father (Korean title Gukje Sijang). Many shops close earlier in the evening than the food stalls, so visit before dark if you want to browse.

Next to it is Bupyeong Market, often called Kkangtong Market ("tin can market") because it once sold canned goods from the US military base. Its night market, which started in 2013, sets up in the evening with food stalls serving Korean and international dishes. Opening hours and days can change, so check the latest information before you plan your dinner around it.

Optional: finish at Jagalchi

Jagalchi Fish Market is a short walk south toward the water. If you want a proper seafood meal, you can pick fish downstairs and have it prepared in a restaurant upstairs. Our Jagalchi Fish Market guide explains how that works step by step.

If you have a full day in this part of the city, you can combine this walk with Gamcheon Culture Village and Songdo Beach; see our one-day west Busan route.

Suggested route and timing

Late afternoon: Nampo Station → escalators up to Yongdusan Park → Busan Tower (about 45–60 minutes).
Sunset: walk down to Gwangbok-ro and browse (30 minutes).
Early evening: BIFF Square for hotteok and fish cakes (30–45 minutes).
Evening: Gukje Market alleys, then Bupyeong Kkangtong night market for dinner (1 hour or more).

"Eat the hotteok while it's hot, but let the syrup cool for ten seconds first. Trust me." – a tip from the POPORO CITY crew.

Quick tips

Carry small cash notes for street stalls, even though many shops take cards.
Use Naver Map or Kakao Map for walking directions; the alleys are confusing on Google Maps.
Hold your hotteok upright in its paper cup – the syrup inside is very hot.
Weekends and holidays are crowded; weekday late afternoons are calmer.
Keep a small bag for trash, as public bins are scarce near the stalls.
Check official sites for Busan Tower tickets and night market hours before you go.

FAQ

How long do I need for Yongdusan Park and BIFF Square?

Two hours is enough for the park, the tower and a snack at BIFF Square. Allow three to four hours if you also want to explore Gukje Market and eat dinner at the night market.

Is Yongdusan Park free?

Yes, the park and the escalators are free. Only the observation deck in Busan Tower requires a ticket.

Is BIFF Square still used for the film festival?

The main festival venues are now in the Centum City area near Haeundae, but BIFF Square keeps its name, the celebrity handprints and some festival-related events.

Is this area good for vegetarians?

Ssiat hotteok is usually vegetarian-friendly, and you will find vegetable dumplings and sweet snacks. Fish cake broth and many tteokbokki sauces contain fish stock, so ask if you are unsure.

What is the best time of year to go?

Any season works. Winter is great for hot street snacks and the December Christmas lights on Gwangbok-ro, while spring and autumn are most comfortable for walking.