This is Busan Jip. Chicken V, a Korean chicken franchise that offers additional menu items such as jokbal and gukbap under the “Busan Jip” name exclusively at its Eastwood branch.

The banchan were broadly standard.

Top row: Japchae was well seasoned with sesame oil, with slivers of carrot and spring onion. The mayonnaise-based pasta salad was mild and creamy, functioning as a palate softener against spicier dishes. The fish cake was familiar and competently prepared.

Bottom row: The seaweed with mirin and daikon was savoury and pleasant. The bean sprouts had a gentle crunch with a mild savoury profile, again featuring carrot and spring onion. The kimchi was crunchy and assertively spicy.

Black Bean Noodle with Tonkatsu Lunch Set ($25.00)

This version of jajangmyeon was less salty than typical, leaning instead into porky and garlicky notes. The noodles lacked the usual bounce and elasticity, and the lighter overall flavour profile meant there was less need for palate relief mid-meal. The sunny-side-up egg was a welcome addition. The tonkatsu, however, was disappointing: the pork was dry, with a thick crumbed coating that did not adhere well to the meat.

Bibim Makugsu ($23.00)

This dish diverged significantly from its promotional image. The toppings consisted largely of lettuce and cabbage with a thin sliver of carrot, and were arranged with the noodles sitting on top rather than integrated throughout. The crisp seaweed was largely overwhelmed by the volume of sauce, which resembled a sweetened gochujang. While the sauce quantity could be controlled, the lettuce was cut too large, making the dish awkward to eat and disrupting balance.

Busan Beef Pancake ($22.00)

This was an authentic Busan-style beef pancake, prioritising softness over crispness. The spring onions were fully softened, and the minced beef—dredged in flour and dipped in egg batter—was richly flavoured, with clear peppery seasoning and sesame oil notes. However, the overall texture was overly mushy, limiting enjoyment. The accompanying garlicky soy and sesame oil dipping sauce was necessary to add depth.

Overall, the meal showed moments of solid seasoning and regional authenticity, but was held back by textural issues, inconsistent execution, and a gap between expectation and presentation. There was enough competence to suggest potential, though refinement would be needed to justify a strong return.

Busan Jip is located at 51 Rowe St, Eastwood NSW 2122.