Jagalchi Market is located on the shoreside road in Busan’s Jung-gu district, selling both live and dried fish.
(ภาษาไทย)
To go to Jagalchi market by subway, take the Orange Line to Jagalchi Station, then take exit no.10.
The market is open from 0500-2200. The market will be closed on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month.
FYI – opposite the Jagalchi Market is BIFF Square, this is a famous tourist spot too. (Shopping and Food)
Located in the south of the Korean peninsula with the Yellow Sea to the west and the East Sea to the east of the country, South Korea has a 11,540km coastline and relies on the fisheries sector for a growing share of its animal protein consumption needs.
The Jagalchi Market has 2 main sections, Outdoor and Indoor.
The outdoor market is fun but English is scarce, so negotiating a price for things is a challenge. It’s still fun to see what they are eating over here!
The Indoor building is a little more tourist-friendly, there are so many restaurants where you can eat here.
The market has varieties of seafood but almost every stall has the same stuff.
It’s just a little different for each season but they have pretty much the same for all year long.
Fish cleaning is one of the best shows in the market, some of the fish I have never seen before (and I don’t think I will try it!)
Most of the people who sell fish are women, so the vendors here are called Jagalchi Ajumma, “ajumma” meaning middle-aged or married woman in Korean.
Not only fresh fish, but you can also find the dried fish here as well.
Sometimes we saw some huge fish and we thought it’s a Shark!
Well, I can read a Korean word (but I don’t know all the meaning). This is 개복치 or Sunfish or Mola Mola.
It’s interesting and a big fish but I don’t think I’d like to try….LOL
Hagfish and ell everywhere in Busan.
We tried the King Crab over here once, we paid about $150 for our meal which included a bunch of Korean Side dishes, it’s nice but if you want to try it – don’t forget to look around and make a deal for the best price.
We normally picked from English speaking vendors….
You can find King crabs everywhere in Busan, especially by the beach area.
But for me, the best place to have crab in Busan is in Gijang Market. Gijang Market is off of the Subway line, it’s about 15-20 mins ride from Haeundae. The closest Subway station is Jangsan (Line 2, Green Line), you can take taxi to the market about 10-15 mins.
Back to Jagachi Market, the Indoor section.
If you live in Busan or South Korea, it’s pretty normal or the same seafood stalls.
Jagalchi just has more than others.
You will see that each vendor has a table to sit and eat.
Well, guess what we tried for our first visit here? LIVE OCTOPUS!
I saw other customers order this dish at almost every table, so why…. we ordered one too.
The video chopping the octopus to pieces, looks really cruel.
The Live Octopus started at 20,000wor or $20 (Year 2018). It was cut but they’re trying to move around the plate.
THRILLING!!!
I don’t know how to describe the way the live octopus was in our mouth, it’s very chewing and smelled very fishy!
Not sure this is a MUST TRY but we did!
*you can find many people eating live octopus on youtube!
I’m not sure about the way that Korean people eat seafood (both raw and cooked), they dip it in sesame oil with salt – for me, I need more spice on it!
We did enjoy the grilled fish and steamed scallop. And I liked the seaweed soup very much!
Don’t forget to check out the other floors in this building, there are so many sections for restaurant and dried stuff. Especially, the Oase Seafood Buffet, I’ve heard that they are very popular but I have not yet tried.
Behind the market, you will find a good breath of fresh air by the pier. 
As I mentioned the market is opposite the BIFF Square where you can find a “normal” food to try (not just seafood) or Korean Souvenirs. Or you can take the bus to Gamcheon Culture Village (colorful village) or you can take taxi (5000-6000won) from Jagalachi market to Songdo beach where you can take the cable car over the island or take the subway train to Busan Station to Chinatown…or take the subway train to Seomyeon station for the big underground shopping!
Or just stay around here for the Night Market Bupyeong (all about food)
Ref:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SHP/SH_EN_7_2.jsp?cid=2382544
https://www.diffen.com/difference/Octopus_vs_Squid
