From the very beginning, we’ve said that Busan Bites feels like getting a recommendation from a local friend. Well, our circle of friends just got a little bigger.
When we started this project, it was just the two of us, fueled by a love for our city and a frustration with dishonest food reviews. We never imagined how much it would resonate with so many of you. As this community has grown, so has our desire to tell even deeper, more meaningful stories.
That’s why we are so incredibly excited to officially introduce you to the newest member of our team, Michael O’dlee.
So, who is Michael? His story is one we knew we had to share. Michael is a Korean-American who grew up in the U.S. While he’d heard countless stories about his grandparents’ hometown of Busan, he always felt a desire to connect with his roots on a deeper level. A couple of years ago, he packed his bags and moved here to do just that.
Like many newcomers, he tried to explore Busan’s food scene using the usual apps and blogs. And like many of us, he felt that familiar disconnect—the gap between the online hype and the real-life experience. He was searching for authenticity, for the food that his grandparents would have eaten, for the places that held the city’s true character.
One day, he stumbled upon our page. He told us it was the first time he felt a guide truly understood what he was looking for. He reached out, we met up (over a fantastic bowl of milmyeon, of course), and we immediately knew we’d found a kindred spirit. We all shared the same core belief: that a restaurant’s story is just as important as its menu.
Michael is a brilliant photographer and writer. He’s joining Busan Bites to help us tell those stories. He’s not here to take glossy, perfect food photos. He’s here to capture the steam rising from a bowl, the warmth of a restaurant owner’s smile, and the beautiful, organized chaos of a kitchen that has been running for decades. He’ll be interviewing the incredible people behind the food, bringing you a new layer of appreciation for the places we feature.
With Michael on the team, we can go beyond just telling you what to eat, and do a better job of showing you why these places are so special. Please give him a warm welcome. We can’t wait for you to see what we create together.
- Dummy Bros
