Jagalchi Fish Market

Overview

Jagalchi Fish Market is Korea's largest and most famous seafood market — a massive waterfront complex where you browse tanks of live fish, crab, and octopus, choose your catch, and have it prepared fresh on the floors above.

Highlights

• Live Seafood: Rows of tanks with every conceivable sea creature — sea squirts, abalone, king crab, and live octopus.
• Sashimi Floors: Upper-floor restaurants slice your selection into sashimi within minutes.
• Ajumma Vendors: The market's famous 'fish aunties' (ajumma) who've sold here for decades.

History

Jagalchi has been Busan's seafood hub since the Japanese colonial period. It became a major retail and wholesale market after 1945 when Korean women ('jagalchi ajumma') took over the fish trade.

Visitor Tips

• Morning Visit: The freshest selection is available early morning.
• Negotiate: Agree on price before your fish is prepared.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.