Autumn Soul Day 5 – Busan – Jagalchi Market

After a good rest, we started our day by visiting Jagalchi Seafood Market. The Jagalchi Market (자갈치시장) is Korea’s largest seafood market located on the edge of Nampo Port.

Jagalchi Market Entrance

This market represents Busan and is famous throughout the country.

You are able to experience traders selling mackerel, sea squirts and even whale meat on wooden boxes along the road.

The largest squid we ever encounter ^^

Fish and shellfish are caught daily and sold fresh to consumers, almost right off the boat. The area is lined with tanks containing all sorts of fresh seafood such as fish, eels, squid, shellfish, and mollusks & some seafood you never know they exist.

You can eat fresh raw fish right at the market.  They offer fresh sashimi on the spot or feel free to bring the seafood you bought to the 2nd floor where most stall are happy to cook for you. If you are feeling brave, try eating Live Octopus!

Most of the people who sell fish are women, they are known as Jagalchi Ajumma. Ajumma means middle-aged or married women in Korean.

You will be amazed by their ability in getting fish scaled, beheaded, chopped up, and dumped in a box of ice in a blink of an eye.

Ajummas at work

Dried Seafood Section

After shopping for seafood, bring it to 2nd floor for them to cook or just order from the stalls

Also Check Out My South Korea Travel Guide :

About Tommy Ooi 509 Articles
Luxury Hotel Reviewer & Destination Blogger. Passionate for travel, exploring new culture & indulging divine food, Tommy has traveled to 42 countries & 140+ destinations.

3 Comments

  1. Looks interesting! But is it expensive? It’s seafood anyway.. Do u know what is the difference of this market and the milak hoe town market? It’s ok if you don’t. Haha..

  2. I enjoye your post! I recently explored Jagalchi for the visit time on a trip to Busan and really enjoyed it. Check out my post and photos about my trip. Cheers!

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