BIFF Square Street Food

BIFF Square is the pedestrian block in Nampo where the Busan International Film Festival was held before it moved to its own building in Haeundae, and handprints of directors and actors are set into the pavement. What keeps people coming is the food. The signature is ssiat hotteok: the standard Korean griddled pancake of yeast dough filled with brown sugar, but slit open after frying and packed with sunflower, pumpkin and other seeds and nuts, so it is crunchier and less purely sweet than the ordinary version. Several stalls sell it and the queues form at the ones with the reputation. Around them are eomuk skewers in broth, tteokbokki, gimbap, sweet potato and grilled squid. Jagalchi fish market is a two-minute walk and Gukje market runs behind, so the three are usually done together as one afternoon.

What you actually see

• Ssiat hotteok - the seed-stuffed pancake this square is known for.
• The handprints - directors and actors set into the pavement.
• The skewer stalls - eomuk, tteokbokki, gimbap, grilled squid.
• The market surround - Jagalchi and Gukje within a few minutes.

When to go

Any time; late afternoon and evening are when the stalls are all working. Weekends are crowded and the hotteok queues are long.

Honest expectations

It is a short pedestrian block with stalls, not a food destination in its own right. Queues at the famous hotteok stands are real, and the neighbouring stalls sell essentially the same thing. Eat standing - there is no seating.

Nearby

Jagalchi fish market, Gukje market and Yongdusan Park are all within minutes.