Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Busan: Strolling Through Jagalchi Market and Gukje Market!
When people think of Busan, Jagalchi Market immediately comes to mind. Some visitors come solely to enjoy the fresh and affordable seafood here. Once a traditional and somewhat gritty marketplace, it was modernized in 2006 into a seven-story building with two underground floors, making it more tourist-friendly. Around the market, you'll find numerous street stalls selling a variety of seafood. Another must-visit market in Busan is Gukje Market, a bustling shopping area where you can find just about anything—perfect for souvenir shopping!
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Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Busan: Strolling Through Jagalchi Market and Gukje Market!
1. Buy Fresh Seafood at Jagalchi Market!
The first floor of Jagalchi Market houses over 200 seafood stalls, offering an impressive selection of fresh fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. The seafood selection varies daily depending on the catch, but you’ll often find abalone, oysters, crabs, octopus, and eel. If you enjoy bargaining, you might even get a slight discount! Many stalls have small areas where they can cook your seafood on-site for a quick and tasty meal.
For a more relaxed dining experience, head to the second-floor restaurants, where you can bring your selected seafood for them to prepare. You’ll also find unique shellfish varieties that are rarely seen in other countries!
2. Enjoy Delicious Seafood at Jagalchi Market!
The market’s restaurants have picture menus, making it easy for visitors to order. While you can choose from pre-set seafood meals, buying fresh seafood from the first floor and having it cooked is a fun experience! Keep in mind that additional cooking fees and seasoning costs apply when preparing seafood purchased from the market. A variety of side dishes (banchan) come with meals, featuring fresh seaweed and other ocean delicacies.
Korean-style sashimi (hweh) is a must-try— it primarily consists of white fish, such as red sea bream and flatfish. For an authentic Korean experience, eat it wrapped in greens with gochujang (red pepper paste) and sliced garlic. Don’t forget to try abalone sashimi or buttery grilled abalone—they’re absolutely delicious!
3. Find Unique Souvenirs at Jagalchi Market!
The second floor of Jagalchi Market has a section dedicated to dried seafood products. Popular souvenir options include Korean seaweed, dried squid, dried octopus, anchovies, and kelp. Many of these items are available pre-packaged or sold by weight, allowing you to purchase small portions of different varieties.
One highly recommended souvenir is homemade fermented seafood (jeotgal). There are many types available, and vendors often provide free tastings so you can find your favorite flavor. These spicy, umami-rich fermented seafood items pair perfectly with rice, making them a great gift for food lovers! Since prices here are lower than retail stores, it's a fantastic place to buy in bulk. However, if you visit during the summer, remember to bring an ice pack to keep your purchases fresh.
4. Shop Till You Drop at Gukje Market!
Gukje Market is Busan’s most famous shopping destination and is located just a 3-minute walk from Jagalchi Station on Subway Line 1. It is also close to Nampo-dong, one of Busan’s busiest shopping districts.
This vast market covers 7,500 square meters and is divided into five main sections: Lighting Street, Market Street, Arirang Street, Youth Street, and Cheongchun Street. With over 1,200 shops, the market is packed with affordable and diverse goods, including clothing, accessories, household items, and souvenirs. Arirang Street is especially popular among foreign tourists, featuring famous optical shops, leather goods stores, and traditional Korean souvenir shops. Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, simply wandering through the market and experiencing Busan’s lively atmosphere is a great way to spend the day!
◎ Summary
One of the biggest highlights of Busan is its fresh and affordable seafood. While prices have increased in recent years, visitors are often surprised at how inexpensive a full seafood meal can be at Jagalchi Market. For a local, immersive travel experience, Jagalchi Market and Gukje Market are must-visit destinations. Enjoy delicious seafood and find great souvenirs while exploring the vibrant atmosphere of Busan’s traditional markets!
