Just as Japan has the Tsukiji Fish Market, South Korea’s best known fresh seafood market has got to be the Jagalchi Market. Located on the edge of Nampo Port in Busan, Jagalchi Market is considered the largest seafood market in South Korea and is a spot you must visit when in Busan. As Busan is frequented by quite a number of tourists, Jagalchi Market is relatively tourist-friendly for Singaporeans as most of the stall owners speak decent mandarin.

That said, if you’re looking to tuck into seafood at affordable prices, do take care to enter Jagalchi Market from the correct side of the building. Elsewise, you may find yourself making the same mistake as us – paying slightly higher prices for the exact same dishes at the other side of the building.

As a matter of orientation, this is what you should be looking for when you first enter Jagalchi Market. There will be a couple of rows of shops with fresh seafood laid out for your picking. After you select your choice of seafood, the stall owners will arrange for someone to bring you (and your seafood) up to the dining area to be cooked. Do note that payment for the seafood does not include preparation and cooking of the seafood. The restaurant owners at the dining area on the 2nd level will charge you separately for their service.

In contrast, if you enter from the other side of Jagalchi Market, you will be greeted by stalls with fresh seafood but each stall has a dining area attached to it. The spread of seafood available at this side of the Jagalchi Market is not as extensive as you would find at the other entrance, and the level of touting here is also significantly higher. Also, if you’re not careful, you may find yourselves paying a little more than what you expected to be charged.

Notwithstanding the sentiments above, Jagalchi Market is a paradise for seafood lovers. From eel, to Alaskan King Crabs, octopus and scallops, it will be a feast for the eyes. But one tip that we’d give is to only choose seafood that is displayed outside the shop to ensure that you are paying for what you select. Elsewise, unless you are opting for your seafood to be cooked, you should be prepared for an upset stomach.

Well, we were prepared to suffer the consequences so we opted to enjoy most of our seafood raw. Whilst this plate of sea urchins set us back by just 10,000 won, we felt that there was slightly lesser meat than what we had expected. But for its extremely affordable price tag, it was still a reasonable portion and a delicious meal option.

We could not leave Jagalchi Market without having Sannakji aka sliced raw octopus. The stall owner we purchased the seafood from threw this in for free, and even allowed our toddler to touch the live octopus for entertainment. If you’ve never tried Sannakji, it’s really not as scary as it looks. Doused with sesame oil and sesame seeds, the octopus meat was firm yet chewy, and just slightly slimy. However, if you’re not accustomed to this type of seafood, it would be wise to share this dish with another dining partner.

As for cooked seafood, 2 other dishes that we’d recommend are the Grilled Eel (10,000 won) and the Abalone Porridge (30,000 won). The eel was lightly salted and incredibly fresh, and though we’d have liked a larger portion of abalone, the Abalone Porridge was very satisfying.

Jagalchi Market
52 Jagalchihaean-ro, Jung-gu,
Busan, South Korea

Please note that Jagalchi Market is closed on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month and that the prices stated above will differ across the different shops  

Cafe hopping in Seoul can take a toll, especially on your wallet. Despite having a plethora of cafes to patronize, Seoul is also home to several traditional markets that provide an abundance of tantalizing dishes well-loved by locals – and possibly you, once you try them too!

It may be a little confusing to navigate through traditional market food because dish names are all in Korean and sometimes, menus may not have English in them. Don’t worry though, because we’ve got your back with this list of 10 Traditional Market Foods to Try On Your Next Trip to Korea.

BINDAETTEOK – MUNG BEAN PANCAKES

Mung bean pancakes are a very popular market food in Korea. You’ll see many middle-aged ladies with a large pan of oil, deep-frying pancakes with various fillings to a crispy golden-brown disc.

Bindaetteok is made from ground-up mung beans, rice, kimchi, various kinds of vegetables, pork, eggs and several Korean seasonings. They are packed full of flavour and every single bite will be different and new. Dip them into a little soy sauce or spicy pepper paste and they’ll be a must-get every time you head to Korea.

Photo Credit: Living Nomads

HOTTEOK – KOREAN SWEET PANCAKES

One of Korea’s most raved-about street food can be found in almost every traditional market. These tasty honey-filled pancakes are a simple sweet treat that should be reserved for cheat days because it is extremely indulgent.

Hotteok dough is filled with different fillings – traditionally honey or brown sugar – and then slapped onto a pan of hot oil, fried to perfection. It’s best eaten when warm so you can see the fillings ooze out of the crispy yet chewy dough. It’s a simple fact – Korean pancakes are better than any other pancakes.

Photo Credit: Blogspot

JEON – KOREAN MIXED PANCAKES

Yes, we aren’t done talking about pancakes. Another kind of pancake you’ll find commonplace in Korean markets would be the various kinds of jeon. These pancakes could range from the standard potato or kimchi pancakes you find in restaurants, to various vegetables and seafoods mixed in a batter and flattened on an oil-filled grill.

Similar to Bindaetteok, freshly-fried jeon are best enjoyed with a side of soy-sauce or spicy pepper paste. They are an umami-filled simple market food that will keep you coming back for more.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

MANDU – KOREAN STEAMED DUMPLINGS

If you see little balls sitting atop wooden baskets or large steamers, they’re probably Korean Mandu. Mandu are traditional korean dumplings filled with pork, various vegetables and occasionally, some glass noodles.

Most dumplings are made fresh and then steamed till their skin is translucent, giving hungry customers a sneak peek into the fillings hidden inside. If you prefer a spicy kick, try the kimchi mandu. They don’t even need any sauce accompanying them because they’re just so flavourful.

Photo Credit: Instagram

KALGUKSU – KOREAN KNIFE-CUT NOODLES

Following the mandu are these handmade noodles that normally come with a few mandu alongside it. Kalguksu is a light yet flavourful noodle soup that is served with a side of minced garlic, scallions, chilli flakes, a sprinkle of seaweed and sesame oil. These condiments are used to add extra flavour to match the noodles to your liking.

For extra flavour, add some vinegar to add a tangy edge to the soup. A bite of the thick, silky noodles and a bite of a kimchi mandu makes for satisfaction.

Photo Credit: Instagram

MARINATED SEAFOOD

Especially in sea-side regions like Busan, fresh marinated seafood is extremely popular among the local patrons of traditional markets. Various kinds of seafood – crabs, mussels, octopus and fish – are marinated in all kinds of sauces ranging from sweet soy sauce to spicy pepper paste.

Most well-known and loved is ganjang-gaejang which is crabs marinated in soy sauce. The sweet-savoury combination of crab is lip-smackingly delicious – especially if you’re a fan of crab roe. The soy sauce marinade will meld with the savoury roe, making it a flavour explosion.

MAYAK-GIMBAP – “NARCOTIC” RICE ROLLS

Mayak means drug in Korean and the rice rolls that are coined “mayak-kimbap” are just as addictive as the most potent drugs. They are seemingly simple – just seasoned rice rolls with julienned carrot and picked radish or cucumber, brushed with sesame oil – but once you have one, it’s impossible to stop at just one roll.

These addictive rice rolls occasionally come with a side of hot mustard sauce in case you wanted a bit of a punch.

TTEOKBOKKI – SPICY RICE CAKES

If you haven’t tried tteokbokki on your trips to Korea, you are sorely missing out on one of Korea’s most famous street foods. Tteokbokki can be found in almost every corner of Korea, whether in the traditional markets or in sheltered carts on road-sides.

If you’re a fan of spice, these rice cakes will be right up your alley. They are coated in a spicy yet sweet gravy made from Korean spicy pepper paste. Occasionally, scallions and assorted fishcakes known as eomuk will be thrown into the mix as well.

Photo Credit: Instagram

SOONDAE – KOREAN BLOOD SAUSAGE

Admittedly, this dish isn’t for everyone – especially if you can’t fathom the thought of eating animal blood. However, it is still a pretty popular local dish that is packed with flavour.

Soondae is made with cows or pigs’ blood and glutinous rice or glass noodles. The sausage is traditionally served with a spicy gravy, with some salt or in a hearty stew. The spicy sauce might be the easiest way to eat soondae for first-time eaters as it covers the slightly gamey taste of the sausage.

SANNAKJI & YUKHOE – LIVE OCTOPUS OR BEEF TARTARE

Last on our list is the raw foods you can find in Korean markets – not for the faint-hearted, but definitely worth a try.

Made viral with several videos on the internet is sannakji, which is Korean-style live octopus – still wriggling around on your plate and on your tongue as you consume it. Though simply dressed in sesame oil and soy sauce, it is rather difficult to eat. Just make sure you chew it thoroughly before swallowing. It will definitely be an unforgettable experience.

Another kind of raw food you can find would be yukhoe – marinated raw beef. This indulgent beef sashimi is usually served with a raw egg yolk over the top, and sometimes with a salad beneath it. Similar to sannakji, it is also dressed very simply with sesame oil and soy sauce.

When visitors are in Seoul, their itineraries are often packed with touring the grand palaces, retail therapy and relaxing at the aesthetically-pleasing cafes. While we can understand why travellers love these activities, Seoul actually has so much more to offer!

Traditional markets are often overlooked and deserve more attention to the amount of culture, food and interesting experiences that can be offered all in one place.

Feast on affordable street food, gawk at gigantic freshly caught fish and observe as the stall vendors make big batches of kimchi. Here are 7 traditional markets in Seoul you need to visit to get the very best out of your trip.

#1 GWANGJANG MARKET

Opened in 1905, Gwangjang Market boasts over 5000 shops and 42,000 square metres. This is the traditional market you must visit if you are tight on time while in Seoul.

Gwangjang Market is food heaven for those who love affordable Korean street food and snacks; from cheap and generous portions of mung bean pancakes to steaming plates of spicy rice cakes and crispy deep-fried snacks.

Most of the food stalls here have been operating for many years, thus they are well-loved by the locals for the wallet-friendly prices and years of expertise they spent to hone and perfect the dishes.

In addition to food, visitors will be able to watch as stall owners make huge batches of fresh kimchi and explore the many uniquely Korean stalls available here, including antiques and cheap clothing!

88 Changgyeonggung-ro,
Jongno 4(sa)-ga, Jongno-gu,
Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Station: Jongno 5-ga/Euljiro 4-ga

#2 NORYANGJIN FISHERIES WHOLESALE MARKET

Featuring an impressive array of tanks filled with live seafood, Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market is Seoul’s biggest seafood market. Seafood lovers visiting the capital city, this is the ultimate market for you!

The market is made up of two buildings, and here’s everything you need to know before visiting.. Indulge in fresh assortment of seafood, including raw, live octopus.

Buy your fresh seafood from any of the seafood vendors, then head to the restaurants nearby for a freshly cooked meal with the seafood you just purchased for a delightful hot meal.

674 Nodeul-ro,
Noryangjin-dong, Dongjak-gu,
Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Station: Noryangjin

Photo Credit: Seoul Insiders Guide

#3 TONGIN MARKET

A doshirak is a Korean lunch box that local mothers would pack for their children to bring to school and for their spouses to take to work. Tongin Market is popular for its one-of-a-kind concept of filling up your own lunchbox at any of the participating food stalls in the marketplace.

To have the complete dosirak experience at Tongin Market, visitors simply have to head over to the entrance of the market to exchange their money for a roll of traditional coin replicas. Then, they can visit the numerous participating stalls to pick out their side dishes and exchange them for a coin or two before heading off to the next stall to fill up their lunch box.

Load up a dosirak with various exciting side dishes including savoury pancakes, kimbap, egg rolls and dumplings; head upstairs to feast on your lunchbox once you are done, there are numerous tables and chairs provided to enjoy your meal.

18 Jahamun-ro 15-gil,
Tongin-dong, Jongno-gu,
Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Station: Gyeongbokgung

Photo Credit: The Seoul Guide

#4 CHANGSIN MARKET

Go on a major throwback and head to Changsin Market, where there are various old-school toys to reminiscence on simpler times before technology and smartphones blew up.

Nostalgia will hit you like a tidal wave as you take in the many toy shops lining the market here with dolls, robots, kitchen sets and even toys that you have to assemble on your own.

6 Jongno 52-gil,
Jongno-gu,
Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Station: Dongdaemun

Photo Credit: The Soul of Seoul

#5 YANGNYEONGSI MARKET

Traditional herbal medicine has been believed to offer amazing positive effects for our bodies for decades (and even centuries) in Asia.

Discover the world of medicine at Yangyeongsi Market, where the smell of the medicinal herbs lingers throughout the market with the wholesale stores, street vendors and pharmacies that line the market. The traditional pharmacies will typically be spotted with wooden cabinets that cover the floor to the ceiling with an impressive collection of oriental medicine.

Korea is famous for its red ginseng, with numerous health benefits including aiding mental and physical health stimulation, as well as boosting the immunity system. Visitors will be given plenty of opportunities to purchase them at wholesale prices at Yangyeongsi market.

51-1 Namseong-ro,
Jung-gu,
Daegu, South Korea
Nearest Station: Banwoldang

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