Jagalchi Market, Fish market in Busan, South Korea.
Jagalchi Market is South Korea's largest seafood market, located on the waterfront in the port district of Busan. The main building rises several floors and holds rows of tanks with live fish, crabs, and shellfish, while outdoor stalls along the harbor display fresh catch brought in by local boats.
The market traces its roots to the 1940s, when women began selling fish brought in by boats at the harbor's edge. It grew steadily over the following decades into the trading center it is today.
The women vendors of Jagalchi are known locally as a symbol of Busan, representing the resilience of the city's port community. Visitors can watch customers pick live seafood from tanks and have it cleaned and prepared right at the counter.
The market sits in the harbor district of Busan and is within walking distance of Jagalchi subway station. Going early in the morning gives you access to the widest range of fresh products, as boats typically arrive overnight.
On the upper floors of the main building, small restaurants will cook the seafood you bought downstairs and serve it at a table. Some vendors on the outdoor stalls sell species that are rarely found in supermarkets, making the outdoor section worth exploring on its own.
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