Experienced taxi drivers with over 10 years of service recommend 28 carefully selected eateries. 'Taxi-chelin Open Ceremony' to be held at 19:30 on the 17th at Busan Station Plaza.
A gastronomic tourism-themed festival featuring restaurants recommended by seasoned taxi drivers with over 10 years of experience is set to take place in Busan.
Busan City has announced that the 9th Busan Old Town Revitalization Festival 'Taxi-chelin' will be held from the 17th to the 26th in the old town areas (Jung-gu, Seo-gu, Dong-gu, Yeongdo-gu).
This year's festival is designed to go beyond the traditional alley-focused content, allowing participants to experience the unique culture and cuisine of the area.
'Taxi-chelin' is a combination of 'taxi' and 'Michelin,' showcasing 28 authentic restaurants in the old town recommended by veteran taxi drivers who have accumulated extensive local knowledge.
The festival kicks off with the 'Taxi-chelin Open Ceremony' on May 17 at 7:30 PM at Busan Station Plaza. During this event, the selected restaurants will be unveiled for the first time, followed by a plaque award ceremony and tasting sessions. Former baseball player Lee Dae-ho, known for his love of fine dining, will make a special guest appearance to add to the excitement.
The 'Taxi-chelin Guidebook' will be available online and offline after the open ceremony. It will be shared through the Busan Cultural Tourism Festival Organization Committee’s website, social media, and mapping apps such as Naver, Kakao, and Google Maps. The guidebook will also be distributed to citizens through promotional events. Throughout the festival, various participation programs such as walking mission tours and private taxi tours will be available.
On weekends, visitors can enjoy ‘walking mission tours’ that combine storytelling about the old town's food culture and history, and ‘private taxi tours’ that offer a chance to sample local beverages at traditional pubs and enjoy a night drive with scenic views of Busan. Both programs are available for pre-booking online or on-site registration until May 25.
Additionally, there will be guerrilla events within the old town area, offering small souvenirs to participants.
Park Geun-rok, Director of the City’s Tourism MICE Bureau, stated, “Busan’s taxi drivers, known for their unparalleled navigation skills, are famous nationwide. We hope that through the authentic restaurants recommended by these taxi drivers, more citizens and tourists can enjoy the unique flavors and atmosphere of the old town area.”
For more details, visit the Busan Cultural Tourism Festival Organization Committee’s website.