Travel Ingormation(ENGLISH)
Spicy Squid Salad (오징어무침) & Garlic Chive Pancake (정구지 지짐): Authentic Street Food Finds in Busan's Alleys
by 추억 여행
2025. 5. 2.
When exploring the lively alleys of Busan, beyond the famous markets, you'll discover a culinary world brimming with authentic street food that truly captures the city's flavor. Among these hidden gems, Spicy Squid Salad (오징어무침 - Ojing-eo Muchim) and Garlic Chive Pancake (정구지 지짐 - Jeongguji Jijim) stand out as quintessential local delights. These dishes offer a perfect blend of Busan's fresh seafood heritage and its comforting, savory traditions, making them must-try finds for any food adventurer.
1. Ojing-eo Muchim: A Zesty Seafood Delight
Ojing-eo Muchim (오징어무침) is a vibrant and refreshing salad that perfectly showcases Busan's love for seafood. It's a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish, ideal for whetting your appetite or enjoying with a drink.
Key Ingredients: Thinly sliced, parboiled squid is the star, known for its tender yet chewy texture. It's generously mixed with an array of fresh vegetables such as shredded radish, cucumber, onion, and often blanched bean sprouts.
The Sauce: The magic lies in the spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet dressing. Made with gochujang (Korean chili paste), gochugaru (chili powder), vinegar, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil, it coats every ingredient, creating a harmonious burst of flavors.
Taste Profile: It's a delightful dance of textures – the chewiness of the squid, the crunch of fresh vegetables – and flavors – spicy, sour, and subtly sweet. It’s light yet satisfying, making it a popular choice.
Ojing-eo Muchim is often enjoyed as an appetizer, a side dish, or a perfect accompaniment to a cold beer or soju. Its vibrant colors also make it very appealing!
2. Jeongguji Jijim: Busan's Comforting Savory Pancake
While Pajeon (green onion pancake) is widely known, in Busan, Jeongguji Jijim (정구지 지짐) holds a special place in the hearts of locals. "Jeongguji" is the Busan dialect for buchu (부추), which translates to garlic chives. This pancake is a testament to the city's down-to-earth, comforting culinary style.
Simplicity at Its Best: Unlike elaborate seafood pancakes, Jeongguji Jijim focuses on the aromatic and slightly pungent flavor of garlic chives. The chives are mixed into a simple flour batter, often with just a hint of onion or carrot for color.
Texture: Cooked until golden-brown and crispy on the edges, while remaining soft and chewy in the center. The fresh garlic chives retain a slight bite, adding to the texture.
Dipping Sauce: It's typically served with a light soy sauce-based dipping sauce, often enhanced with vinegar, chili powder, and sesame seeds, which complements its savory flavor without overpowering it.
Perfect Pairings: Jeongguji Jijim is an ideal snack on a rainy day, a comforting side dish, or a fantastic accompaniment to makgeolli (Korean rice wine). Its simplicity is its strength, offering pure, unadulterated comfort.
3. Where to Find Them in Busan's Alleys
While both dishes can be found in various restaurants, the most authentic and often best versions are found in:
Traditional Markets: Dongnae Market, Bujeon Market, and even smaller neighborhood markets will have stalls specializing in these dishes.
Street Food Alleys: Look for small eateries or pojangmacha (tent restaurants) in areas like Nampo-dong or Seomyeon, often tucked away in less touristy spots.
Local Restaurants (백반집 - Baekbanjip): Many local Korean eateries (serving set meals) will offer Jeongguji Jijim as a side dish or Ojing-eo Muchim as a special.
Don't be afraid to wander off the main streets. The best culinary discoveries in Busan often lie within its charming, bustling back alleys.
4. A Taste of Busan's Soul
Ojing-eo Muchim and Jeongguji Jijim are more than just dishes; they are a taste of Busan's soul. They represent the city's connection to its abundant seafood, its appreciation for fresh, simple ingredients, and its resilient, comforting culinary traditions. When in Busan, make sure to seek out these authentic street food finds for a truly local and delicious experience!
Spicy Squid Salad (오징어무침) & Garlic Chive Pancake (정구지 지짐): Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about Spicy Squid Salad (Ojing-eo Muchim) and Garlic Chive Pancake (Jeongguji Jijim) in Busan:
Q: What is the main ingredient in Ojing-eo Muchim?
A: The main ingredient is thinly sliced, parboiled squid (오징어), which provides a unique chewy texture.
Q: Is Ojing-eo Muchim very spicy?
A: It typically has a spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor from the gochujang-based sauce. The spice level can vary by vendor, but it's generally a pleasant kick rather than overwhelmingly hot for most palates.
Q: What vegetables are usually mixed into Ojing-eo Muchim?
A: Common vegetables include shredded radish, cucumber, onion, and blanched bean sprouts, adding a refreshing crunch.
Q: What does "Jeongguji" mean in Jeongguji Jijim?
A: "Jeongguji" is the Busan dialect word for buchu (부추), which translates to garlic chives.
Q: How is Jeongguji Jijim different from other Korean pancakes like Pajeon or Kimchijeon?
A: Jeongguji Jijim is simpler, focusing primarily on the aromatic flavor of garlic chives without many other ingredients. Pajeon uses green onions and often seafood, while Kimchijeon features kimchi.
Q: What is the typical texture of Jeongguji Jijim?
A: It has a delightful texture that is crispy on the edges from frying, while remaining soft and chewy in the center. The chives also retain a slight bite.
Q: What kind of dipping sauce is served with Jeongguji Jijim?
A: It's usually served with a light soy sauce-based dipping sauce, often seasoned with vinegar, chili powder, and sesame seeds.
Q: Are these dishes commonly found in traditional markets or restaurants in Busan?
A: Both are widely available in traditional markets (like Dongnae Market, Bujeon Market), street food alleys, and many local Korean restaurants (백반집 - baekbanjip) throughout Busan.
Q: What kind of drinks pair well with Ojing-eo Muchim and Jeongguji Jijim?
A: Ojing-eo Muchim goes well with cold beer or soju, while Jeongguji Jijim is an excellent pairing with makgeolli (Korean rice wine).
Q: Can I find these dishes outside of Busan, or are they specific to Busan?
A: While Ojing-eo Muchim has its roots and specific style in Busan, and Jeongguji Jijim uses a local dialect name, similar versions of these dishes can be found across Korea. However, trying them in Busan offers an authentic taste of the city's unique culinary heritage.