Gukje Market — Attraction in Busan

Busan International Market is one of the representative traditional markets in Korea, and it is full of history and vitality. Let me introduce some things to brag about.

History and Traditions

The Gukje Market was formed by the settlement of refugees after the Korean War, and contains the modern and contemporary history of Busan. You can feel the atmosphere of that time by looking at old stores such as "Kkotbun's."

a wide range of products and affordable prices

They sell a wide variety of items, including clothes, shoes, household items, electronics, antiques, etc. The price is reasonable, so you can buy them at a lower price if you bargain.

delicious food

The international market has many representative street foods from Busan. You can taste foods such as seed hotteok, fish cake, pork soup, and Bibimdangmyeon. It is especially popular with tourists as there are many good restaurants with a 60-year history.

a nearby tourist attraction

The international market is close to major tourist attractions in Busan. Jagalchi Market, Kkangtong Market, Yongdusan Park, and BIFF Square are within walking distance, making it a good one-day tour.

a place full of love (情)

The international market is not just a shopping space, but a place where people's lives are melted. There are many old stores, and you can feel a friendly atmosphere while talking with the owners.

An international market is not just a market, but a space where Busan's past and present coexist. It is a must-see...

Gukje Market is right along the Cheonggyecheon Stream, making it an ideal stopover when on an explorative walk. The market sells goods from clothes and accessories, to blankets and kitchenware. There are small shops selling a variety of seafood, fresh, frozen, and dry. Within that alley, you can also find a variety of panchan (side dishes), including fermented dishes and dried laver. The most lively part of the market has to be the food alley. All stalls serve goods that are absolutely delicious, offering some common and expected market favourites for great prices (i.e. 5000W bibimbap, pajeon, 1500W hoddeok the size of your face, gimbap, stuffed squid, grilled/fried seafood and meat, etc.). Little souvenirs are well priced in this market. We bought a set of 10 keychains for 6000W, a set of 3 shot glasses for 5000W, and a set of 5 magnets for 5000W. If you're looking for t-shirts, I recommend a visit to Namdaemun market where you can buy 3 for 10000W.

Ideally, you want to visit the market earlier in the day between 10am-4pm, if you're looking to explore its entirety and peak into most shops. You could expect to spend 2-3hours if you are taking your time walking through; if you're there for a skim, 1-1.5hours...

Busan International Market (Gukje Sijang): Following the Korean War, refugees who fled to Busan set up stalls to make a living by selling smuggled or imported products. This developed into the Gukje Market (gukje meaning “international” in Korean) of today, one of Korea’s largest markets.

It is one of the well-known tourist attractions in Busan, and it was featured in numerous movies that became popular globally, including movie titled “Gukje Sijang”.

We visited on a weekday afternoon, and it wasn’t crowded. Still, it gets crowded in the evenings and on the weekends for tourists and locals who want to experience its night market, food, and drinks in both indoor restaurants and outdoor open...