Gijang Market
One thing we quickly learnt in Korea is never to enter the first seafood restaurant that calls out to you. At Gijang Market, the owners are friendly but persistent, each trying to convince you that they have the freshest catch and the best deal. The secret is to take your time, walk the market, compare prices and negotiate a little before deciding.
Gijang Market is one of Busan's best known seafood markets, buzzing with locals buying fresh produce, seaweed, shellfish and every type of seafood imaginable. Under a sea of colourful umbrellas, the market comes alive with vendors chatting, shoppers bargaining and tanks filled with live seafood. Despite the blazing sunshine, the place was packed with energy.
After comparing a few restaurants, we finally settled on one that offered good value. Besides the snow crab, they threw in a few extras including abalone, a seafood pancake, side dishes, seaweed soup, steamed sweet potatoes, corn, peanuts, quail eggs, and even a pot of lobster ramen to finish the meal. The price was surprisingly reasonable, making it one of the best value seafood feasts of our trip.
The crabs were simply steamed to let their natural sweetness shine. Once cooked, the staff expertly cut them into bite sized pieces, making it effortless to enjoy the sweet, succulent meat. The rich crab roe fried rice, served back in the shell, was another highlight that we polished off in no time.
If you are visiting Busan and love seafood, Gijang Market is well worth the trip. Come hungry, don't rush into the first offer, and you will be rewarded with a memorable seafood feast at a very reasonable price.
