Discover a perfect half-day itinerary in Busan's Gijang district for 2026! Explore the oceanfront Haedong Yonggungsa temple, savor authentic Korean cuisine, and relax at a stunning ocean-view cafe. Get ready for an inspiring coastal adventure!
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Busan Travel
Haedong Yonggungsa, Pungwonjang Countryside Rice Table House
& Ananti Cove's Cabinet de Poisson
Hello, Global Explorers! ☀️
This time, I'm excited to share a fantastic half-day itinerary focusing specifically on the Gijang district of Busan. It's a coastal route, making it perfect for a scenic drive.
Here's how my day unfolded: First, I explored Haedong Yonggungsa, a stunning temple nestled by the sea. Then, I satisfied my hunger with a hearty Korean meal at the nearby Pungwonjang Countryside Rice Table House. Finally, I capped off the day at a breathtaking ocean-view cafe within Ananti Cove.
All three spots are just a short drive from each other, making for a stress-free experience! Let's dive into the details. 😊
🕒 Visiting Hours: Daily 04:30 AM ~ Sunset (Varies by season)
💰 Admission Fee: Free
🅿️ Parking: Paid, ~$1 for 30 minutes → ~$0 for every 10 minutes thereafter (Maximum ~$14 per day)
Once you descend the 108 steps from the entrance, the temple truly unfolds, offering countless photo opportunities along the way.
There's a popular belief that touching the belly of the large Pot-bellied Buddha (Podehwa-sang) will grant your wishes, so everyone makes sure to give it a rub! 🙏
The temple is full of captivating sights, including a black dragon sculpture, Arhat statues facing the sea, and a beautiful three-story stone pagoda.
A leisurely stroll through the grounds takes approximately 1 to 1.3 hours. If you visit in the summer, it gets incredibly hot. Be sure to bring essentials like a parasol or sunglasses, and a bottle of cold water to stay refreshed.
🕒 Operating Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM | Weekends 10:00 AM - 09:00 PM
💰 Price Range: Set meals ~$16-~$17 (Expect to pay ~$14-~$21)
🅿️ Parking: Free, large dedicated parking lot in front of the restaurant (attendants on site)
After exploring Yonggungsa, my stomach was rumbling, so I headed straight to this Korean restaurant nearby. Pungwonjang Countryside Rice Table House has several branches, but I chose the one closest to Yonggungsa since I was planning to go to Ananti Cove next. It was only about a 5-minute drive, which was incredibly convenient!
The restaurant lives up to its 30-year tradition. The phrase “table bending under the weight of dishes” perfectly describes the feast laid out before us.
Their signature Pork Bulgogi Set Meal is grilled over charcoal, which removes excess oil and keeps it from feeling greasy. They also offer a variety of other options like Bossam (boiled pork belly), Smoked Duck Set Meal, and Hoe Jeong-sik (sashimi set meal).
What I loved most was how meticulously prepared and flavorful each of the side dishes were 😋
🕒 Operating Hours (Summer, May-September): Tue-Fri 09:00 AM - 07:00 PM / Sat-Mon 07:00 AM - 07:00 PM (Bakery opens at 9 AM, last order 06:30 PM)
💰 Price Range: Americano ~$7, Latte ~$8, etc.
🅿️ Parking: Discount applied based on spending (spend over ~$14 for 1 hour free, over ~$35 for 2 hours free, over ~$69 for 4 hours free)
To wrap up the day, we headed to an oceanfront cafe! Cabinet de Poisson, located within Ananti Cove, is a bakery cafe. It's about a 5 to 10-minute drive from Pungwonjang.
Ananti Cove is quite extensive, so finding your way can be a little tricky. Here are three ways to get there:
📍 From Ananti Penthouse parking: Enter the front desk near the parking lot entrance → Pass through the outdoor door on the right towards the Owner's Pool → Walk across the outdoor swimming pool (Owner's Pool) → Enter Cabinet de Poisson's entrance and proceed downstairs.
📍 From Ananti at Busan Cove parking: Take the elevator from P1 M section → Go to the L floor, walk straight for about 90 meters (about 295 feet) to the left, then follow the same path as the Penthouse parking route.
📍 Walk along the Ananti Cove coastal promenade for about 0.2 miles (300 meters) → Arrive at Cabinet de Poisson.
In terms of location, it's on the floor below Penthouse La Mer (L floor), towards the Daebyeon Port along the coastal promenade.
We chose method #1, as it's the most direct way to park closest to the cafe when driving.
The parking area itself was stunning, a beautiful space where design and light converged. Ha!
We walked straight through the lounge towards the pool area. Eventually, you'll come across a large door that might make you wonder, 'Is this the right way?' (It's next to La Mer and the Owner's Pool on the L floor). Open that door, and you're right in the cafe.
Opening the door reveals this spacious interior.
It's a three-story structure, so you descend two levels to reach the ordering counter. There are also separate terrace seats available.
It's quite expansive, with plenty of seating options.
We initially found a spot inside to escape the heat, then ventured outside.
The coastal promenade here is truly amazing, but it was just too hot for us to walk it that day. ㅠㅠ
I'm definitely planning to go back and explore the coastal walk in the spring or fall.
The view, with the ocean right in front of you, is absolutely spectacular. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy freshly baked bread and coffee while listening to the waves.
They also have a wide selection of sandwiches, salads, and desserts, making it a great option for a light meal 🥐
Overall Impressions
I highly recommend this half-day itinerary: Haedong Yonggungsa → Pungwonjang Countryside Rice Table House → Ananti Cove Cafe. The travel time between each location is minimal, only about 5-10 minutes by car, which means less stress and more enjoyment. The flow from a stunning seaside temple to a satisfying Korean meal, and then to a gorgeous ocean-view cafe, feels incredibly natural and fulfilling.
For anyone planning a trip to Busan's Gijang area, I confidently suggest you copy and paste this itinerary. It's a winner! I'll be back soon with more travel destinations. 👋
What are the parking fees at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple?
Parking at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is paid. It costs ~$1 for the first 30 minutes, with an additional ~$0 for every 10 minutes thereafter. The maximum daily charge is approximately ~$14.
What are the signature menu and price range at Pungwonjang Countryside Rice Table, as recommended in the article?
The signature menu at Pungwonjang Countryside Rice Table is the Pork Bulgogi Set Meal. Set meals are priced between ~$16 and ~$17 (in the ~$14-~$21 range).
What are the summer (May-September) operating hours and parking discount criteria for Cabinet de Poisson at Ananti Cove?
During summer (May-September), Cabinet de Poisson at Ananti Cove operates from 09:00-19:00 on Tuesdays-Fridays and 07:00-19:00 on Saturdays-Mondays. Parking discounts are applied based on the amount spent: 1 hour free for purchases over ~$14, 2 hours free for purchases over ~$35, and 4 hours free for purchases over ~$69.
How long does it take to travel between Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Pungwonjang Countryside Rice Table, and Cabinet de Poisson at Ananti Cove, as introduced in this article?
It takes approximately 5 minutes by car from Haedong Yonggungsa Temple to Pungwonjang Countryside Rice Table, and about 5-10 minutes by car from Pungwonjang Countryside Rice Table to Cabinet de Poisson at Ananti Cove. All three locations are within 5-10 minutes by car, so travel is convenient.
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