South Korea Day 11: How Did We End Up on Texas Street in Busan?

Siva McAteer • October 21, 2025

How Did We End Up on Texas Street in Busan?!

Wait… why is there a Texas Street in the middle of Busan, South Korea?!

On Day 11 of our Celebrity Cruise adventure, we stepped off the ship ready to explore downtown Busan — and what we found was not what we expected!

After spotting an entrance to Chinatown, we wandered a little further and stumbled across a sign for Texas Street. I had to do a double take. Texas? In Korea? Yeehaw, partner — it’s true! 🤠

🌆 A Little Bit of America in Busan

Everywhere we looked, there were cowboy statues, Western-style bars, and signage that looked straight out of a Wild West movie. It turns out Texas Street Busan has a fascinating history — it originally developed around the 1940s when American soldiers stationed in Korea began frequenting the area after the Korean War. Over time, it became a nightlife hub known for its bars, restaurants, and vibrant expat culture.

Today, it’s one of those quirky cultural mashups that makes travel so fun — a little slice of America dropped right into South Korea’s second-largest city.

📸 Exploring Downtown Busan

From Texas Street, we continued our walk through Dong-gu, one of Busan’s most bustling districts. There were plenty of photo ops, colorful street art, and scenic waterways that gave us major “urban explorer” vibes.

And of course, no trip to Busan is complete without visiting its famous fish markets. The smell of fresh seafood hit us before we even turned the corner! Vendors were selling everything from octopus and abalone to glistening rows of freshly caught fish — a true feast for the senses.

🍖 Korean BBQ… Here We Come!

After our surprising Texas detour and seafood adventures, our next mission was clear — find the best authentic Korean BBQ in Busan. Because no day in Korea is complete without sizzling bulgogi or spicy pork belly fresh off the grill!

If you’re planning your own Celebrity Cruise stop in Busan, definitely carve out some time to visit:

Texas Street (for quirky photos and nightlife)
Jagalchi Fish Market (for incredible seafood)
Gamcheon Culture Village (colorful hillside gem)
And of course, any local BBQ joint that smells too good to walk past!

🌍 Fun Travel Fact:

Did you know Busan is South Korea’s busiest port city and home to one of the largest beaches in the country, Haeundae Beach? It’s also known for its annual Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) — the biggest in Asia!

✨ Final Thoughts

Busan surprised us in the best possible way. From Chinatown to Texas Street, and from fish markets to BBQ heaven, it’s a city that perfectly blends cultures, flavors, and experiences.

And to think — it all started with a sign that said “Texas Street.” 🤠

📸 Follow Along:

Stay tuned for our next stop as we continue cruising through South Korea and beyond!

#Busan #TexasStreet #CelebrityCruises #SouthKoreaTravel #BusanTravelGuide #KoreanBBQ #BusanNightlife #ChinatownBusan #DongGu #TravelBlog #CruiseLife #ExploreBusan #TravelSouthKorea #BusanFoodie #SeafoodMarket #Wanderlust #TravelCouple #AdventureTravel #CulturalMashup #CruiseAdventures

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