What is Jagalchi Market?
Jagalchi Market, located alongside the waterfront in Busan is Korea’s largest seafood market. Whether you’re interested in tasting freshly caught fish, watching how seafood is prepared, or exploring the market’s many stalls, Jagalchi Market has something for everyone. This travel guide will help you plan your visit to this one-of-a-kind seafood market in Busan. From travel tips on what to eat, to how to get there, and the best time to visit Jagalchi Market!
If you’re interested in other top attractions in Busan read our guide on 15 Things To Do In Busan.
Jagalchi Market History
Jagalchi Market was born after the 1945 liberation and has become an integral part of the seafood trade in Korea. It’s name is derived after “jagal,” meaning small pebbles, originated on a pebble-covered shoreline. It has been a hub for seafood since the 1920s during the Japanese rule. After the Korean War, it played a key role in rebuilding South Korea’s seafood trade, thanks to its location near Busan Port.
The market is known for its hardworking female vendors, known as “Jagalchi Ajummas,” who symbolize its spirit. While the current indoor structure was built in 2006, the market’s significance makes it a must-visit destination in Busan. It’s truly a culinary paradise and a testament to Korea’s deep-rooted fishing traditions.
Where is Jagalchi Market Located?
Jagalchi Fish Market is located near the Busan Port, one of South Korea’s busiest and most historic harbors.
Transportation to Jagalchi Market is very easy with an efficient public transport system in Busan. If you’re taking the Busan Metro, it’s a convenient option with several stations nearby costing ~₩1,400. Jagalchi Station (Line 1) and Nampo Station (Line 1) are popular metro stations that lead to Jagalchi Market.
In the next section, we will provide specific maps and directions to Busan’s world-renowned fish market! It will be from two popular starting points, Haeundae Beach, and from Busan Station.
52 Jagalchihaean-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
부산광역시 중구 자갈치해안로 52
Busan Station To Jagalchi Market
Getting from Busan Station to Jagalchi Market is quick and easy. The most efficient way is to take Busan Metro Line 1 (orange line) heading toward Sinpyeong. Jagalchi Station is only five stops away, and the trip takes about 10 minutes.
Get off at Nampo Station, use Exit 2, and walk for about five minutes to reach the market. Alternatively, you can take a taxi directly from Busan Station to Jagalchi Market. The ride takes around 10 minutes and costs approximately 5,000–6,000 KRW, depending on traffic. We reccomend using Google Maps and Naver Maps to identify the best route!
Haeundae Beach To Jagalchi Market
Traveling from Haeundae Beach to Jagalchi Market is relatively easy, with a couple of different options to choose from.
The subway is the cheapest and most reliable way to travel to the fish market. Walk to Haeundae Station to take Busan Metro Line 2 (green line) ride 16 stops, and transfer to Line 1 (orange line) at Seomyeon Station. To know you are heading in the right direction, look for Sinpyeong. Once you’re on the subway you will ride 8 stops and get off at Nampo Station. Use exit 2, and it’s a short five-minute walk to the market. The entire route should take about 50 minutes.
If you prefer a quicker and more comfortable ride, taxis are readily available. A taxi ride to Jagalchi Market takes about 30 to 40 minutes and costs ~18,000–22,000 KRW, depending on traffic.
For a more scenic route, consider taking Bus 1001 or 1003 directly to Nampo-dong or Jagalchi, with a travel time of about 60 minutes.
We recommend checking Google Maps or Naver Maps to identify the quickest routes. In some cases when we were traveling in Busan, the Bus route was the most convenient option.
What Are Jagalchi Market Opening Hours?
Jagalchi Market’s opening hours are daily from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Most of the seafood stalls operate during these hours. Normally the early morning is the best time to see the freshest catches as they arrive from Busan Port. However, some restaurants and vendors inside the market may have slightly shorter hours, typically closing earlier in the evening. So you may wonder, when is the best time to visit Jagalchi Fish Market? Let’s discuss this next!
Jagalchi Market - Best Time To Go?
The best time to visit Jagalchi Market depends on your preferences. The morning (5:00 AM – 10:00 AM) is the best hours to visit if you’re interested in seeing the freshest seafood being delivered.
The best time to go is on a weekday late morning to early afternoon (10:00 AM – 12:30 PM). This is when most stalls and restaurants are open. The evening (5:00 PM – 10:00 PM) is quieter, but some stalls may start closing. Lastly, to avoid crowds we recommend visiting on weekdays and skipping the lunchtime rush (12:30 PM – 2:00 PM).
Jagalchi Market Guide - How Does It Work?
Step 1: Explore Outside The Fish Market
You will notice when arriving there is an outdoor and indoor market. Your exploration of seafood delicacies starts outdoors! It’s a great introduction to what’s to come next.
Step 2: Explore Inside Jagalchi Market
Step 3: Choose A Seafood Vendor
Step 4: Choose your Seafood
Step 5: Jagalchi Market Restaurant
Jagalchi Market What To Eat & What Not To Eat ?
When visiting Jagalchi Market, I highly recommend trying the snow crab. It was incredibly fresh, and the meat was sweet, tender, and perfectly cooked. Another standout for me was the whole fish, which I chose to have fully barbecued. The fish had a smoky, charred exterior while the inside was packed with juicy, tender meat. It was one of the highlights of the meal.
On the flip side, the octopus sashimi (the one that still moves!) wasn’t my favorite. The texture was very chewy and slimy, which I didn’t enjoy. I added soybean paste to enhance the flavor, but it still wasn’t for me. That said, I can see why others might find it fascinating or even delicious.
I also tried the oysters, which were massive, but they were tricky to eat. During the shucking process, bits of shell seemed to get into the oysters, leading to an unexpected crunch in some bites—not ideal for me.
Overall, the snow crab and BBQ fish stole the show, and I’d recommend sticking to dishes that showcase the market’s incredible freshness without texture challenges
Tips On Visiting Jagalchi Market
Order The Crab Rice
Jagalchi Market Menu & prices
Stepping into Jagalchi Market was like entering a seafood lover’s paradise. In this guide, we’ll share our personal experience, detailing the menu offerings and prices for two people during our visit.
1. Fish: 10,000 KRW
2. Oyster: 5,000 KRW
3. Octopus: 5,000 KRW
4. Snow Crab (1 Kg): 35,000 KRW
5. Cooking Fee: 10,000 KRW
6. Seating Fee + Table Setting (including side dishes): 10,000 KRW
7. Crab Head Rice: 2,000 KRW
Total Cost: 80,000 KRW which was equivalent to $60 USD.
This was ~$30 USD per person.
Refer to the picture below for complete Jagalchi Market Menu including prices. Note that over time prices may fluctuate to seafood market prices.
Jagalchi Market Overall Review
One of our favorite things about the Jagalchi Market experience was being able to have the seafood cooked right away and served at the restaurant upstairs. Once you finish selecting your seafood, you make your way upstairs to get seated at the Jagalchi Market Restaurant! We loved the preparation of all the Korean side dishes to eat with our seafood feast. The customer service of the staff was fantastic and welcomed us like any other local sitting down.
Overall, the Jagalchi market is worth visiting and we would recommend putting it on your list of attractions while in Busan! If you’re a seafood lover, it’s an absolute must-try eating experience. We enjoyed how sanitary the surrounding areas were inside the market and in the restaurant.
While this isn’t the cheapest meal you can enjoy in Korea, the quality and freshness of the seafood make it so worth it! We definitely recommend getting the fish and crab, and might pass on the octopus next time, but nonetheless, it was super fun experience!
Other Travel Guides & Attractions In Busan
If you enjoyed this blog post and are visiting Busan, check out our other detailed Busan guides below!
