Busan Old Town Tour
Busan has a convenient public transportation system, and major attractions are located within walking distance of the stations. If you get off at Jagalchi Station or Nampo Station, you can walk to a traditional market, fish market, park and a department store. You can also take a food tour to taste a variety of local delicacies.
Traditional Market & Food Alley
Nampo Area – Course A
1. Ssiathotteok, a famous delicacy in BIFF Square
The best place to enjoy street foods is at BIFF Square, the birthplace of the Busan International Film Festival. One of the hugely popular food items is ssiathotteok (seed-stuffed griddlecake) that often appears on TV. The griddlecake is filled with sunflower seeds and nuts, offering a sweet, nutty flavor.
- 20, BIFF gwangjang-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
- Ssiathotteok 1,200 won
2. Changseon-dong Food Alley, a street food heaven
This food alley is occupied by a long line of stalls offering the special flavors of Busan. You can sit on a stool and try the bibimdangmyeon (spicy glass noodles) or the napjakmandu (flat dumplings). There are a wide variety of foods for gourmets, including tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cake) and sundae (blood sausages).
- Changseon-dong 3(sam)-ga, Jung-gu, Busan
3. Arirang Street, from traditional craftworks to hallyu souvenirs
As the name of the street suggests, this street is full of traditional and local items. You will find traditional outfits, ornaments and various traditional craftworks, as well as items related to hallyu (Korean pop culture) and K-pop. You can also purchase local specialties such as seaweed and red ginseng.
- 1(il)-ga to 4(sa)-ga, Sinchang-dong, Jung-gu, Busan
4. The 4 Most Popular Foods in Bupyeong Market
When you visit Bupyeong Market, you should try eomuk (fish cake), yububottari (stuffed fried bean curd pocket), patjuk (red bean porridge) and susubukkumi (pan-fried millet rice cake). These snacks are affordable and tasty, attracting visitors to the traditional market. Be sure to bring cash as credit cards are not accepted.
- 32, Junggu-ro 33beon-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
5. Gukje Market, the filming site of a famous Korean movie
Gukje (meaning “international”) Market was named so, as imported goods were traded here since the 1950s. Refugees of the Korean War rebuilt their lives in the market. There is a general store named Kkotbunine, which is a photo spot among visitors, as a 2014 Korean movie Ode to My Father was filmed here. It is also interesting to look around a maze of alleys, each specializing in something different — glasses, bags, crockery, etc.
- 11, Gwangbok-ro 35beon-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
Jagalchi Market
Nampo Area – Course B
1. Jagalchi Market with fresh raw fish and seafood
Jagalchi Market, the largest fish market in Korea, is a major attraction in Busan filled with vibrancy and the smell of the sea. You can purchase fresh raw fish on the first floor of the modern market building and go to a raw fish restaurant on the second floor and eat it on the spot. Seafood, such as sea squirts and sea cucumbers, are often provided for free with the raw fish menu.
- 52, Jagalchihaean-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
- 05:00–22:00 (Raw Fish Center opens at 9:00)
2. Jagalchi Gomjangeo Alley offering tasty grilled eel dishes
Gomjangeo (eel) Alley, located along the coastal street of Jagalchi Market, has many stores selling eel dishes. While the grilled salted eel offers a savory taste, the grilled marinated eel is recommended for first timers. Pieces of eel are seasoned with a spicy red pepper paste and grilled over a briquette fire. You can eat each piece by wrapping it in lettuce and garlic and a traditional sauce. The leftover can be stir-fried with rice to enjoy it better.
- Nampo-dong 5(o)-ga, Jung-gu, Busan
3. Nampo-dong Underground Shopping Center
This is an underground shopping center located between NampoStation and Jagalchi Station on Subway Line 1. You can go shoppingafter dining in Jagalchi Market. There are stores that sell mid to lowpriced clothing, bags, shoes and cosmetics. There is also a DAISO store that sells general items.
- 44, Gudeok-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
- 10:00–22:00 (Closed on the 2nd Tuesday of the month)
Busan Tower in Yongdusan Park
Nampo Area – Course C
1. Gwangbok-dong Fashion Street, where you can enjoy window shopping
This street is connected to many tourist spots in the downtown area. While walking down the street, you can enjoy shopping at popular brand stores that sell clothing, cosmetics, shoes and much more. You can also try various delicacies of the city. On weekends, you will find exciting street performances staged along the street.
- 72-1, Gwangbok-ro, Jung-gu, Busan
2. Busan Tower with a 60-floor-high observatory that can be reached by elevator in just 45 seconds
On the Gwangbok-dong Fashion Street, there is a long escalator leading to Yongdusan Park. Located inside the park is Busan Tower — one of the must visits. Here, you can enjoy the view of Busan Port, Yeongdo and other parts of the downtown area. A VR telescope will show you the view of Gwangalli Beach or Haeundae Beach in 3D. There is also a duty-free shop in the park.
- 37-55, Yongdusan-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
- 10:00–23:00 (Last ticket 22:30)
- Adult 8,000 won
- www.busantower.net (EN/CH/JP)
3. Lotte Department Store – Gwangbok Branch, with an aquatic show and observatory
The department store is directly connected to Nampo Station and offers not just a shopping experience but some special sights. Every hour on the dot, one can enjoy the musical fountain show in Aqua Mall. This has been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest indoor music fountain show. In addition, you can enjoy the open view of downtown and Busan Port from the observatory on the 13th floor.
- 2, Jungang-daero, Jung-gu, Busan
- 10:30–20:00
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