Whether you’re in the mood for seafood or not, a walk through the Jagalchi Market is an enjoyable sensory experience. Visiting the sprawling multistory market is like exploring an aquarium without the glass walls. Octopi splash from buckets. Escaped fish flip on the pavement. However, there’s one important difference everything at Jagalchi Market is destined to be someone’s meal. Jagalchi Market is the largest seafood market in South Korea. It will take an afternoon to fully explore. Be sure to tour both the outdoor section along the port and the indoor section in the massive market hall.
Since Nampo Port lies just next to the market, fresh seafood arrives daily. Find a spot by the port and watch fishing boats unload fresh hauls of octopus or cod. Then browse the stalls to discover an astonishing variety of fish and sea creatures, some of which you may never have encountered before.
Many stands offer free samples, so you can try before you buy. The key is being willing to experiment with new things, even if they don’t look especially appetizing or familiar. If you find something you like, the storeowner will expertly prepare it for you.
Most of the sellers are women, since the Korean War took the lives of many of the men from fishing families. Known as Jagalchi ajumas, or married women, they are incredibly skilled at slicing and preparing fish. Haggle with them at your own risk their bargaining skills are as sharp as their filleting knives.
Jagalchi Market is open from early in the morning to late at night every day of the year. It is closed on the last Tuesday of every month. Hours vary from stand to stand.
The market is located on the waterfront in south central Busan near Yeongdodaegyo Bridge. It is easily accessible by bus or subway. Parking is available for a fee.
