Seomyeon's In Tractor: Kitsch in the Kitchen

I found one of my favourite restaurants in Busan by chance. Some friends and I were walking around the trendy area of Seomyeon looking for a bite to eat and not having any luck finding what we wanted. Luckily we bumped into a Korean acquaintance who knew exactly what we were looking for. He led us to In Tractor Pasta & Grill, and that's when my love affair with the restaurant began.

Situated on the fourth floor overlooking the glowing shops of Seomyeon, In Tractor is actually pretty easy to miss if you don't know to look for it. Entering the restaurant however, you immediately realize it's worth the hunt and the cramped elevator ride to reach it. Large, open and airy, In Tractor's decor is instantly captivating. Black-and-white photos, vintage magazine ads, and murals accent the high white walls, and quirky knick-knacks peer out from every corner, shelf, and table. The restaurant gets its name from the full-size red farm tractor that sits spotlit in front of the semi-enclosed kitchen.. Attractive young servers flit about the restaurant, sporting black and red uniforms seemingly designed to match the tractor's glowing hues.

We were seated following a short wait spent admiring the artwork. From our table we enjoyed watching the servers pick up their orders from the giant robot-shaped pizza oven and spying on well-dressed couples giggling through their first dates. Our order was taken fairly quickly and the food arrived promptly thereafter. The mains are reasonably priced at under 20,000 won each and are perfectly sized for sharing. Pizza and pasta are In Tractor's specialties with Korean-fusion varieties spicing up the menu, including the extra-cheesy Bulgogi Pizza. A delicious selection of salads are available to suit vegetarian palates, and complimentary pita bread with honey dip is served while you wait. I recommend ordering an appetizer and one or two of the pizzas to share if variety is what you're after. The restaurant serves domestic and imported bottled and draught beers and has a decent selection of red and white wines served by the bottle or by the glass. A range of tempting non-alcoholic beverages is also available.

For those with a sweet tooth, I suggest requesting the dessert menu or selecting one of their specialty coffees. Western taste buds will be thrilled with the selection of espresso-based drinks, including the delightful affogato, a shot of hot espresso topped with vanilla ice cream. You could share it, but why would you?

I've visited In Tractor several times, and have found the service to be friendly and efficient. Some of servers spoke English, but those who didn't made every effort to make us feel comfortable. Meals will run 20,000 to 40,000 won, including a main, drink, and dessert but could cost less if you're sharing. In Tractor also offers a point-card, which you can request when you settle your bill. If you're in Seomyeon and feeling peckish, I recommend In Tractor for its fun atmosphere and inventive menu.

To get there: Head to Seomyeon subway station, stop #119 on Line 1 (Red) or stop #219 on Line 2 (Green). Walk straight out of Exit 7, passing two small streets on your left and walking over a very small crosswalk. You will also pass by some stalls selling dried goods on the sidewalk. When you reach a large 4-way intersection with Baskin Robins on the corner, turn left. In Tractor will be a few doors down on your right, located on the 4th floor above a PC room and next to ABC Mart shoe store. The total walking time from Seomyeon station is 7-8 minutes. Phone: 051-818-7215.