Owner Hyunjin Choi welcomes you to Busan GukBap
Busan Chicken will already be a familiar name to anyone who keeps fried chicken on their weekly menu.
After first launching in Cardiff in November 2023, word quickly spread about owner Hyunjin Choi, better known as Jin, and his quality fried chicken. So much so that, in October 2024 Jin opened a second location in Newcastle’s Wheeler Place. The spicy, sweet, and tangy South Korean-inspired flavours are what the regular crowd have come to expect, and love.
Owner of Busan GukBap: Hyunjin Choi (Jin)
Fast forward to February 2026 and Jin has taken yet another leap. While still staying true to his South Korean roots, Busan GukBap in Hamilton marks a major shift from his Newcastle and Cardiff offerings.
South Korea’s second-largest city, Busan is known for its seafood; it is also where Jin spent much of his childhood, and where his love of food was shaped. Having lived in Australia since 2016, Busan GukBap is Jin's tribute to his childhood memories, and a more authentic representation of South Korean food.
Located in Beaumont Street, in what was formerly Cafe Limoo, Jin explains what drew him to the street,
"I like the Hamilton area, that comes from when I managed Blooming Gardens, so when the space popped up I wanted to come back to this area."
Looking over the menu, the biggest shift you’ll notice immediately is the absence of fried chicken. This time, it’s all about pork. Busan GukBap has been Jin's way of getting a little nostalgic and sharing a range of dishes that he remembers growing up with in Busan.
Another noticeable shift is the selection of soup style dishes - GukBap, which translates to "soup rice". Each soup dish brings with it Jin's 12-hour slow-cooked bone broth. Rich flavour, the signature Premium Clear Pork Soup is served with soft Korean sausages, rice, somyeon noodles, fresh kimchi, seokbakji (radish kimchi), fresh chilli, and a selection of dipping sauces.
While the soups are a must, the handmade King Mandos are just as essential.
True to their name, they’re a proper mouthful, with a perfectly steamed outer layer giving way to a beautifully juicy pork centre. With six per serve, you could be forgiven for not sharing a single one.
One of the menu’s more unexpected highlights was the Seafood Scallion Pancake.
Golden brown and lightly crisp, this traditional Korean dish pairs fresh spring onions with oversized prawns and tender squid.
To help you eat the dish elegantly, you're supplied with a pair of scissors to cut into tidy bite-size pieces, and as with all dishes, a tasty dipping sauce is served on the side.
The restaurant’s authentic approach extends to the drinks menu, with a selection of Korean beers on offer. For something a little different, try the makgeolli – a milky, off-white, lightly sparkling rice wine served in a small gold pot in the traditional style. Its distinctive flavour is something you really need to try for yourself.
As with all of Jin’s ventures, a great deal of thought and consideration has gone into every aspect. It’s a fantastic addition to the Hamilton strip lineup, so be sure to get out and enjoy the new Busan range of flavours.
