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History and Tradition of Nongshim Hotel

Nongshim Group, best known for its instant noodles including the globally popular “Shin Ramyun,” is one of Korea’s leading food companies. Since its establishment as a food company, it has also expanded into various industries including hospitality, with Nongshim Hotel being a key part of its portfolio.

Nongshim Hotel is one of the oldest hot spring hotels in Busan. It originally opened in 1960 as “Dongnae Tourist Hotel,” but later became part of the Nongshim Group. In 1991 the hotel opened Hurshimchung, the largest hot spring facility in Korea. Although it operates as a separate business Hurshimchung is directly connected to Nongshim Hotel, allowing both hotel guests and the general public to enjoy its hot spring baths. As one of Busan’s premier hot spring hotel, Nongshim Hotel has been a popular five-star accommodation for years.

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Location & Hot Spring District

23 Geumganggongwon-ro 20beon-gil, Dongnae-gu, Busan
Nongsim Hotel

Nongshim Hotel is located in the Oncheonjang area, which is known for its historic Dongnae hot springs. The name “Oncheonjang” itself reflects its identity as a hot spring district, as “oncheon” (온천) literally means “hot spring” in Korean.

Dongnae Hot Springs have been famous since the Silla Dynasty(57 BCE – 935 CE), when they were favored by royalty and aristocrats. By the Joseon Dynasty(1392–1910) the springs were also popular among Japanese visitors. The natural hot spring water maintains a temperature of 55°C and is rich in carbonic acid and minerals, which are said to beneficial for your health & well-being.

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Korean-Style Double Room: Features & Pricing

For those who enjoy traditional Korean culture, the Korean-style double room is a great choice. Unlike standard hotel rooms this room features an ondol (heated floor) system while still including a Western-style bed. Upon entering the room guests must remove their shoes, which adds to the traditional feel. The room also has a low sitting table, making it perfect for enjoying meals or snacks while sitting on the warm floor.

The room provides basic amenities such as soap, shampoo, body wash, and conditioner. The bathroom includes a bathtub with a shower curtain (without a separate shower stall) and apparently even the bathroom tap water comes from natural hot springs. While the facilities have a slightly aged appearance (including a very antique hairdryer), the room was generally well-maintained and spacious.

My family booked two Korean-style double rooms through Booking.com for a total price of 384,930 KRW, each room costing about 200,000 KRW per night. Although the facilities are definitely older compared to newly built hotels, the large room size and friendly staff made for a comfortable and enjoyable stay at a reasonable price.

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Facilities & Room Service

Nongshim Hotel is more than just a place to stay—it offers a variety of facilities for relaxation and convenience.

1.Hurshimchung Hot Springs

Hurshimchung is the largest hot spring facility in Korea, featuring spacious public baths and a variety of themed pools. The outdoor hot spring offers a unique opportunity to enjoy mineral-rich water with fresh air, while the indoor herbal baths provide a complete spa experience. If you’re a fan of K-pop or K-dramas, you’ve probably seen the Korean style sauna or jjimjilbang culture—Hurshimchung provides a fun and authentic way to experience it firsthand!

Hurshimchung is connected to the hotel via the second floor, and hotel guests receive a 50% discount on entry fees. As of February 2025 the entrance fee is 15,000 KRW on weekdays and 18,000 KRW on weekends and holidays. This means hotel guests can enjoy the facility for less than 10,000 KRW. For the latest pricing it is best to check the hotel’s website.

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2.Fitness Center

The hotel’s fitness center, located along the passageway to Hurshimchung, was spacious and well-equipped with Technogym machines. But guests had to pay an additional fee to use the gym which was a slight downside.

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3.Cafes & Bakeries

Hurshimchung’s third floor features “N Cafe & Snack,” which sells classic Korean spa snacks such as seaweed soup, ramen, roasted eggs, and sweet rice drinks (sikhye). Since Nongshim is a major food company, the quality of the food here is expected to be better than at typical saunas.

On the first floor of Hurshimchung there is a Starbucks(Dongnae Hurshimchung branch), which was especially convenient since our room did not include breakfast. We grabbed sandwiches and coffee from Starbucks in the morning – the cafe opens at 8 AM on weekdays and 7 AM on weekends, making it a perfect spot for an early morning coffee run.

And our hotel booking included a complimentary welcome drink, which we redeemed at “The Lounge” on the lobby floor. It was great that they even had a decaf cold brew option.

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4.Room Service Menu

The hotel’s room service operates from 5 AM to 10 AM for breakfast, with meals priced around 20,000-30,000 KRW. Lunch and dinner options are available from 10 AM to 11 PM. Although we did not order any room service this time, in-room dining seemed like a reasonable option for those looking for a convenient meal on the warm ondol floor of the room.

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Nearby Restaurant Recommendation

Mokchon Pork and Rice Soup (Gukbap)

Just a five-minute walk from Nongshim Hotel is Mokchon Dwaeji Gukbap, a local favorite for pork & rice soup. Unlike tourist-oriented restaurants, this spot is more popular among locals. The broth is soft and rich, topped with a generous portion of thinly sliced pork. This hearty dish was perfect for a chilly winter meal.