Sapporo Ramen (Sanpachi Ramen), Nampo-dong

The big Japanese Ramen chain さんぱち has opened a branch in Nampo-dong. Of course, there are many Japanese-style ramen shops in the Gukje market, and while I can't say which is the best, this is not a bad place to start looking. My preference is for tonko ramen (ramen with pork slices), and Sapporo Ramen has a great selection.

Unfortunately I didn't spot any miso-style ramen on the menu, but both their salt and soy-sauce styles (the two main styles of ramen) were pretty good.

They also serve some izakaya favourites, such as gyoza (Japanese style 만두) and karoage (fried chicken balls), but these side dishes are only available after 6pm.

Location: On the main street in front of the new lotte department store. Be aware that although the big english sign says Sapporo Ramen, the place is signed as "sanpachi" in both Korean and Japanese.

Prices:
Ramen: 6,500+
Gyoza: 3,500
Beer (hite): 3,000

English menu: No. Staff speak no English... but some do speak Japanese.
Vegetarian options: No.

Breeze Burns, Nampo Dong

The popular burger joint Breeze Burns has just opened a branch in Nampo-dong, just down the street from the new Lotte Department store.

Suddenly, Nampo-dong has a bunch of great western food options. Not only do we have Breeze Burns now, but in the new Lotte Department store there is also a Quiznos, Auntie Annie's Pretzels and Irish Potato (Yes, Irish Potato).

Still no mexican food though. 

I hear it goes down well with a beer...

The Pho, Nampo-dong

Firstly, we reviewed this restaurant mere days after returning from our trip to Vietnam. Secondly, their Vietnamese food is really, really good.

The Pho really gives you the atmosphere of an upmarket restaurant. As part of "The Terrace" (which also includes "The Pan" and "The Cafe") it has an interesting street view while seating you comfortably back from the foot traffic of Nampo-dong.

Service is excellent. The staff are quite professional and even brought us lap blankets!

The food is excellent value and surprisingly authentic. All the dishes we tried were very similar to what one might find in Saigon and the presentation is excellent. The dish sizes are pretty big though, so if you order, for example, a large Pho you might want to share it.

Generous amounts of tea are also provided free with your meal, which does encourage one to linger under their gas-fired heaters.

After finishing your meal, you can enjoy a Vietnamese-style drip coffee (Ca Phe) - but first-timers may be suprised by the ultrasweet condensed milk at the bottom of their glass.

The Pho is without a doubt my new favourite restaurant in Nampo-dong, and I can't wait to get back there.

Phone: 256-8055
Location: Nampo-dong, near the main roundabout & police station.

English Menu: Yes. And English-speaking staff.

Vegetarian Option: Yes. The staff even asked us if we were vegetarians (did I forget to shower today or something? Maybe its time for a haircut.)

Prices :
Ca Phe: 4,000

Spring Rolls: 4,000
Medium Pho: 8,000
Fried Rice 8,000

Ton Mong Tonkatsu, Nampo Dong

Ton Mong is a Japanese tourist-orientated restaurant in Nampo-dong. The prices and and food are fine. This is much better than the tonkatsu you will pick up at your local kimbap joint, without challenging the tonkatsu at any of the million other tonkatsu restaurants in Busan. In fact, the main attraction of Ton Mong is the opportunity to dine in a creepy cat-filled environment (See right). So there's something here for the cat lady in all of us.

Service was pretty quick and tourist friendly. Our nervous waitress showed up again halfway through the meal with a forks, obviously in shock at the unnatural sight of foreigners using chopsticks.

The prices are quite reasonable as well, and with English and Japanese menus, staff accustomed to clueless tourists and plastic food, you certainly won't be hitting the language barrier here.

So all-in-all, if you're looking for a cheap, easy and cat lady-friendly meal in Nampo-dong, you could certainly do worse than to go to ton Mong..

Phone: 245-1147

Location: On the corner near DaeYoung Cinema in Nampo-dong. You can easily spot it by the long cabinet of plastic food outside.

English Menu: Yes. Staff speak some English as well.

Seating: Tables and chairs .

Vegetarian Option: None.

Price 5,000-10,000 per person.
Drinks: Beer 3,000. Cider 1,000