Jagalchi Fish Market Tours and Activities

Find seafood and a fun, bustling atmosphere when you visit the Ja-galchi Fish Market. This multistorey market fills a dockside warehouse and is packed with fish stalls, octopus merchants and South Korean delicacies available for sampling. Whether you like seafood or not, stroll through the lively market and watch as traders advertise their wares, fish slip from workers hands and hungry locals inspect their next meals.

Ja-galchi is the largest seafood market in South Korea, so it’s worth exploring for a full morning or afternoon. Sit and watch the everyday goings-on of the market hall and surrounding Nampo Port and then make your way down the rows of stalls. There is an indoor section and an outdoor area along the waterfront.

The market sources fresh seafood each morning from fishermen arriving at the port. Fishing boats come in often to unload fresh octopus and Pacific species of fish. Look over the carefully prepared displays of the fish stalls and enquire about the exotic species on show some of them may be completely foreign to you.

Ask for samples, as stall owners are often willing to give you a taste before you purchase. When you find something you like, merchants are happy to prepare it for you to eat straight away or take with you.

The male population of many fishing villages dropped significantly after the Korean War and the majority of storeowners today are women. Called Jagalchi ajumas, or married women, they are experts with fillet knives and fish preparation. Be warned when trying to haggle they can be hardy opponents!

Ja-galchi Market has long opening hours from early morning to late evening year-round. It is closed on the last Tuesday of each month. Individual stall hours vary.

The market lies on the waterfront in south central Busan near Yeongdodaegyo Bridge. Come by bus or subway. If you drive you’ll need to pay to park. There is no fee to enter the fish market.