Jagalchi is the largest fish market in South Korea and one of the top ten in the world. Rather, Jagalchi Market is an entire district spread over an area of 3km long and about 200m wide and is not only a popular tourist attraction but also one of the economic hearts of Busan.
Hotels in Busan with sea views
Stroll along the waterfront, peek into the huge halls with hundreds of stalls and thousands of fish tubs, and sample fish specialties at dozens of restaurants and small street stalls.
A glowing building and lively streets
In 2002, the market's new 5-story main building opened and quickly became one of the landmarks of Busan. Architecturally, the building is designed to resemble the shape of a fish and is illuminated in several shades of colors from red to blue to green when it is dark.
The waterfront promenade and adjacent streets are literally lined with live and processed fish shops.
Taste the fish specialties
While in the morning and mid-morning the market is mainly frequented by locals, in the afternoon and evening the shops turn into larger or smaller restaurants and impromptu bistros.
Although the fish is brought to the Jagalchi market between 2 and 3am, it will stay fresh until the evening. All the establishments have tubs filled with running water on the pavement and inside, which keep the seafood fresh until the diners order.
Market opening hours and prices
Jagalchi comes alive around 2am when the first fishing boats arrive. Between 4 and 5 o'clock, everything is already unloaded and ready for sale, both retail and wholesale.
The last restaurants and shops usually close around 10pm, about an hour earlier in winter.
Prices for a complete fish course in restaurants range from 10 000 krw to 20 000 krw.
Jagalchi market is closed on the first and third Tuesday of every month.
Transport to Jagalchi
The market is in the centre of Busan, so it's impossible to miss it.
- Metro (orange line 1) - Jagalchi and Nampo stations, both about 100 metres from the first stalls
- Buses - lines 6, 7, 30, 71, 113 pass 30 metres from the market along Jagalchi-ro street, while lines 5-1, 8, 9, 11, 15, 17, 26, 27, 41, 61, 70, 86, 87, 103, 126, 134, 1000, 1003, 1004 pass along the main street Gudeok-ro 100 metres from the market
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