Dala Chocolate Cafe
Review by Monica Heilman, ETA 2014-2016 City: Busan Restaurant Name: Dala Food Served: All things chocolate (desserts) Restaurant Address: 부산광역시 부산진구 전포대로209번길 18 View Map Directions: The dessert cafe is located near Seomyeon, in the Jeonpo cafe street. From Seomyeon station, take exit 8 and walk straight. When you see NC mall (to the left), cross the intersection to get there. Walk past the entrance to the mall and past the arts and crafts market (sometimes closed during off-hours). At the end of the market, there will be a sign on the corner that says Jeonpo Cafe Street. Turn left at this sign, passing a school on your left. After this block, the cafe street will be straight ahead. Dala will be on the left. From Jeonpo station, leave out of exit 7 and go straight for two blocks. Turn left – the street has a slight downward slope, and the cafe will be on your right. The cafe is bright pink. Price: 12,000 for their famous binsu; drinks range from 4,000-7,000 Three words. Dinosaur Egg Bingsu. [slideshow_deploy id=’4645′] In case this isn’t enough convince you, I’ll expound upon the reasons for this dessert’s rapid ascent to fame. Dala has recently become popular for a specialized bingsu that reminds you that adults can like dinosaurs too. The Dinosaur Egg Bingsu has all the staples of a chocolate bingsu – ice, milk, chocolate shavings, some sort of chocolatey cereal confection, and chocolate syrup. Yet what tops it all (haha) is a huge, hollow, white chocolate shell: the dinosaur egg. Customers are provided with a meat tenderizer with which to smash their speckled egg into bite-sized pieces, but be careful! Inside the egg is a perfect chocolate dinosaur, eagerly awaiting your admiration and camera flash. I’m pleased to report though, that this dessert is not only photogenic, but thoroughly delicious. Any chocolate bingsu lover will be pleased. Once you’ve prepared yourself to visit Dala, there are a few things to know about the space. First, it’s beautiful. Second, with its bright pink exterior it’s easy to find. Third – the thing you actually need to know – is that it’s small. The cafe sits no more than 18 people – unless you’re squeezing together in a booth or there are some extra chairs I didn’t notice. Because the cafe is small, the owners request that you buy one item per person – bingsu counts as a 2-person item, so if you’re a party of 3 going for the bingsu, be prepared to consume another chocolatey drink or dessert on the side. My group opted for a hot chocolate, which came with a delightful chocolate spoon. If you’re looking to take your Korean cafe experience to the next level, Dala is the place for you.
City Guide Review: Pizza Sol
Review by Breanna Durham, ETA 2015-2016 City: Busan Restaurant Name: Pizza Sol Food Served: Pizza Place Restaurant Address: Kyunsung University Station, 43-55 Daeyeon-Dong, Nam-Gu, Busan/남구 대연동 43-55 , Busan View Map You don’t have to fly to the states to get a bite of New York style pizza. Just hop a subway in Busan. Nestled in a less than busy street, Pizza Sol pizzeria exists for those who admire a good slice of pizza that you can fold. The shop is a little small. So, beware of bringing a big group of friends unless you want to take the party outside to their standing tables. You can buy by the slice or get a whole pie. You can also grab a beer here too if that’s your fancy. It’s hard to go wrong with the options here.
City Guide Review: Dragon Dream
Review by Breanna Durham, ETA 2015-2016 City: Busan Restaurant Name: Dragon Dream Food Served: Bar, Restaurant Restaurant Address: 부산광역시 동구 범일1동 1313 View Map Directions: Beomil Subway Station, Exit 7, 5 min taxi to Han San Green Apartments, take a right at Borim cinema bus stop, and then take a left. The bar is on the right. To taxi driver: 범일1동사무소 앞 한상기린 아파트 맞은편 “The Cave Bar” A dragon peers out of the corner of the comfy cave bar, Dragon Dream. The low-lit restaurant feels like a secret that only you know despite the fact that many expats have come here before you. The seafood, which you will have to buy, is only so-so, but the sweet and smooth makgeolli coming to you in a big black pot will more than make it up to you. Grab a few friends and squeeze tightly on the stone benches. If you want to step out of the normal bar crowd and enter a place with a different kind of drinking experience, you might want to stop by. [slideshow_deploy id=’4605′]