A Complete Guide to Jagalchi Fish Market in Busan

 
How to Eat, What to Buy, and What to Expect at Korea’s Largest Seafood Market

If you are planning a trip to Jagalchi Fish Market, you are probably looking for more than just a place to take photos. This market is one of the most important seafood hubs in Busan, and it works very differently from a normal restaurant. Here, you choose your seafood first, then have it cooked for you upstairs. Understanding this system before you visit will save you time, money, and confusion, and will help you enjoy the experience much more.

This guide focuses on practical information: how the market is organized, what you can eat, how prices work, and how to order like a traveler who knows what they are doing.

What Makes Jagalchi Fish Market Special?

Jagalchi is often described as the largest seafood market in Korea, but its real value is not just size. It is a working market, used daily by locals, restaurant owners, and wholesalers. That means the seafood turnover is fast, and freshness is one of the biggest strengths of this place.

Unlike many tourist markets, Jagalchi is built around a simple but powerful idea:
You buy the seafood on the first floor, and you eat it on the second floor.
This “pick-and-cook” system lets you control both the ingredients and the style of cooking.

How Jagalchi Fish Market Works (Step by Step)

1. First Floor: Choose and Buy Your Seafood

On the first floor, you will see rows of stalls with large water tanks. Inside them are:

• Flatfish, rockfish, yellowtail, and other local fish

• Shellfish such as clams, scallops, oysters, and abalone

• Crabs, prawns, and sometimes king crab

• Octopus, squid, sea cucumber, and other specialty items

You simply point to what you want. The vendor will tell you the price, usually based on size or weight. Prices can vary by season and availability, but within the market they are generally consistent.

2. Second Floor: Have It Cooked and Served

After you buy your seafood, the vendor will arrange for it to be sent to a restaurant upstairs. There, you pay a separate cooking fee, often around 5,000 KRW per person, depending on the restaurant. This fee usually includes basic side dishes like kimchi, vegetables, seaweed, and simple snacks.

Important tip: Bring cash. Some stalls and restaurants do not accept credit cards, and it is much easier if you are prepared.

Best Time to Visit Jagalchi Fish Market

Most locals agree that the market is at its busiest and most energetic in the morning, roughly from 9 a.m. to noon. This is when fresh deliveries arrive and the atmosphere is the most lively.

However, visiting in the afternoon has its own advantages:

• Fewer crowds

• Easier to walk around and compare stalls

• Still plenty of seafood available

If you care more about comfort and browsing than about peak market energy, the afternoon can actually be a very good choice.

What to Eat at Jagalchi Fish Market

If this is your first visit, it is smart to mix familiar choices with one or two new experiences.

Safe and Popular Choices

• Flatfish or white fish for sashimi (raw fish)

• Grilled or pan-fried fish

• Steamed or grilled shellfish

More Adventurous Options

• Abalone

• Octopus or small octopus

• Sea cucumber

A very common ordering style is to split one fish into two dishes, for example:

• Half sashimi

• Half grilled or pan-fried

This way, you can taste both raw and cooked versions without ordering too much food.

Prices, Budget, and What You Actually Pay

Your total cost usually has two parts:

1. The seafood price (paid downstairs)

2. The cooking fee (paid upstairs)

The final amount depends on what you choose and how much you order. As a general rule, prices are not fixed like a restaurant menu, because size and weight matter. Also, some restaurants add a small service or table charge, so it is normal if the final bill is slightly higher than just the food price plus cooking fee.

If you want to be careful with your budget, walk around first, check a few stalls, and then decide.

How the Meal Is Served

Once you sit down upstairs, the meal usually comes in stages:

• First, side dishes arrive

• Then sashimi or cooked seafood is served

• Sauces, garlic, and leaves for wrapping are provided

In Korean style, many people wrap sashimi in lettuce or perilla leaves with a little sauce and vegetables. You can eat it this way or simply dip it in soy sauce. Both are perfectly fine.

Practical Tips for First-Time Visitors

• Bring cash to avoid payment problems

• Walk around and compare stalls before buying

• Don’t worry about pointing. This is normal and expected

• Ask if your fish can be prepared in different ways (half sashimi, half grilled, etc.)

• Remember that prices may change depending on season and seafood size

Is Jagalchi Fish Market Worth Visiting?

From a travel perspective, Jagalchi is more than just a place to eat. It is a chance to see how seafood is chosen, sold, and prepared in Korea. You are not only paying for a meal, but also for a cultural experience that connects the market directly to your table.

Even if you are not a seafood expert, the system is easy to understand, and the freshness alone makes the visit worthwhile.

If you want to experience Korean seafood in the most direct way possible, Jagalchi Fish Market is one of the best places to do it. With a little preparation, you can avoid confusion, control your budget, and enjoy both the food and the process. For travelers visiting Busan, this market is not just optional. It is one of the most practical and memorable food experiences the city has to offer.