Welcome to our ultimate guide to Jagalchi Market, a bustling seafood paradise nestled in the heart of Busan, South Korea. Known as one of the largest fish markets in Asia, and the largest fish market in South Korea. Jagalchi Market offers a unique sensory experience that seafood enthusiasts and travelers will find enjoyable. In this comprehensive guide, we will share everything you need to know about visiting Jagalchi Market, from how to get there to the menu and market prices, and sitting down at the restaurant to enjoy some of the freshest seafood you can get in South Korea.
Whether you’re a seafood aficionado, a curious traveler, or someone looking to explore the authentic flavors of Busan, Jagalchi Market is a must-visit destination. Get ready for insider tips, must-try dishes, and essential travel information. Let’s embark on a flavorful journey through Jagalchi Market!
How to get to Jagalchi Market
Getting to Jagalchi Market is a breeze, ensuring your seafood adventure starts smoothly. If you’re arriving by public transport, hop on the Busan Metro, a convenient option with several stations nearby costing ~₩1,400. Jagalchi Station (Line 1) and Nampo Station (Line 1) are your gateways to this seafood paradise.
For those who prefer taxis, simply mention Jagalchi Market (자갈치시장) to the driver, and you’ll be there in no time. If you’re exploring the city on foot, we recommend downloading the Naver Maps app on your mobile device which will display the walking route versus Google Maps which will not. Additionally, many local hotels may offer shuttle services to Jagalchi Market, providing a stress-free travel option. No matter your mode of transport, navigating to Jagalchi Market is effortless, and easy to find!
Jagalchi Market Step By Step Process To Order Food
Step 1: Arriving at Jagalchi Market
Start your seafood adventure by arriving at the Jagalchi Market in Busan, Korea’s largest fish market. As previously mentioned, it’s easily accessible by many different transportation options and is in the heart of Busan. You will see many seafood shops and restaurants in the area however, look out for this building to enter the Jagalchi Market!
Step 2: Explore the Indoor & Outdoor Seafood Market
You will notice when arriving there is an outdoor and indoor market. Once inside, explore the numerous stalls with vendors offering a plethora of fresh seafood options. From crabs to octopus, the market provides great variety.
Step 3: Choose a Vendor
Engage with friendly vendors who are not only eager to help but also open to negotiating prices. We recommend choosing a vendor with set prices on the seafood for sale, and using the Google Translate app when necessary.
Before making your way to the Jagalchi Market restaurant, you let the vendor know if you want the seafood cooked or presented in sashimi style (raw) based on your preference.
Step 4: Choose Your Seafood
You can order local delicacies, like the octopus sashimi a Korean specialty, it’s dead but the nerve activity in the tentacles makes it appear as if it’s still alive! While we enjoyed the thrill, I’m not sure we’d be ordering it again!
If you’re not feeling as adventurous you can opt for our personal favorites, the delicious snow or king crab. We also enjoyed the taste of the BBQ fish which comes in large portions and plenty of meat. The oyster albeit large and fresh, was not our favorite, there were chipped pieces of shell in our bite which made it less desirable!
Step 5: Get Seated at the Jagalchi Market Restaurant & Eat
Once you finished selecting your seafood, let the vendor know if you want the seafood cooked or presented in sashimi style (raw) and head to the restaurant area on the second floor. You will likely get escorted up.
The restaurant will set your table upstairs with all the Korean side dishes to eat with your seafood.
Here’s a pro tip if you order crab, when seated at the restaurant ask for the crab rice served in the head for an explosion of rich seafood flavor.
Upon arrival, you’ll receive gloves, ensuring a mess-free enjoyment of the delectable snow crab delicacies!
Jagalchi Market Menu & Prices
Stepping into Jagalchi Market end of 2023 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 in 2023.
Refer to the picture below for complete Jagalchi Market Menu including prices.
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!
You will pay for the seating fee & table setting fee of 10,000 KRW which includes all the Korean side dishes to eat with your seafood. The cooking fee at the restaurant to prepare the seafood is 10,000 KRW. In total minus the seafood, to eat at the restaurant it will cost 20,000 KRW which is about $15 USD.
Jagalchi Fish Market History
Jagalchi Market, located in Busan, South Korea, has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. It is Korea’s largest fish market, known for its vibrant seafood trade. Established in the 1930s, Jagalchi has been a hub of maritime trade, offering an extensive array of fresh seafood.
Over the years, it has become a must-visit destination, drawing tourists with its authentic Korean seafood experience. This historic market symbolizes Busan’s maritime heritage and is a testament to the city’s enduring cultural significance. Today, Jagalchi Market continues to thrive, serving as a culinary paradise and a testament to Korea’s deep-rooted fishing traditions.
Information You Need To Know About Jagalchi Market Busan (FAQ)
Before you visit the Jagalchi Market in Busan, here is some additional information you need to know to ensure you are well-prepared before you embark on your seafood adventures!
The best time to visit Jagalchi Market in Busan is on weekday mornings for a relaxed experience or on weekend afternoons for a lively atmosphere.
Consider going during spring or fall for pleasant weather. Plan your visit based on your preference for crowds and weather conditions to make the most of your seafood adventure. We went in the morning before Noon, and had no issues finding a vendor and table in the upstairs restaurant!
| Monday(Hangul Day) | 5 a.m.–10 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 5 a.m.–10 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 5 a.m.–10 p.m |
| Thursday | 5 a.m.–10 p.m. |
| Friday | 5 a.m.–10 p.m. |
| Saturday | 5 a.m.–10 p.m. |
| Sunday | 5 a.m.–10 p.m. |
The nearest station to Jagalchi Market is Jagalchi Station, which is conveniently located on Line 1 of the Busan Metro system. If you’re taking the metro, you will arrive at Jagalchi Station, take exit 10 and walk 5 minutes to the destination! We would recommend downloading the Naver Maps which allows you to input the walking destination. Google maps is not functional for walking directions in South Korea!
Is Jagalchi Market worth visiting? Our Review
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!
