Busan wins over overseas tourists

BUSAN — A group of Taiwanese women burst into laughter and applause as a Korean man sitting next to them at a street food stall in Nampo-dong, Busan, poured soju into beer glasses to make poktanju, a Korean cocktail often called a bomb drink. The women had been watching him prepare the drink while enjoying the lively street lined with food stalls on the night of Oct. 7. When he offered them a round, their surprise quickly turned into excitement. “This is our second visit,” one of the women said. “The first time, we felt strange, so we did not try food or drink before. Today, we decided to try. The man made us poktanju and it is so nice. We will never forget this.” The Korean man, who was drinking with his friends, said he had noticed the women looking curiously at their table. “They kept looking at us, so I made some for them,” he said. “I hope they have a great time in Busan and take home lots of good memories.” The exchange offered a glimpse of what draws overseas visitors to the southeastern Korean city. Beyond its beaches and scenic views, the port city offers opport