Free Scallop and Uni at Jagalchi Market in Busan?!
Hello 🍋!
Second post on Lemon8 and it’s about food LOL.
Anyways, I recently travelled to Busan and wanted to share my experience at Jagalchi Market, plus recommend the store we eventually dined at.
Before heading to Jagalchi, my brother and I did quite a bit of research on which restaurants and market stalls to try. But once we actually arrived at Level 1, we were completely overwhelmed. Every stall owner was calling out to us with lines like “Same menu everywhere!” and “Come, come!”. It was honestly quite hard to compare prices, especially when you’re surrounded by tanks of live seafood and constant attention.
We ended up just walking around for a bit, admiring the huge variety of seafood swimming around - king crabs, clams, octopus, fish… very eye-opening but also slightly stressful LOL.
Feeling a little lost, I turned to Lemon8 and saw a few posts recommending skipping the wet market and going straight to Level 2 to look for restaurants instead. Then I remembered that a family friend had also mentioned a stall near the escalator, so we decided to do just that.
Once we reached Level 2, we were greeted by a smiley Chinese ladyboss who immediately made us feel more at ease 🥹 She spoke Mandarin clearly, explained the menu patiently, and most importantly, no hard selling at all.
We ordered a mix of seafood (the highlight was definitely the fresh sashimi and grilled fish), and everything tasted super fresh and clean, with very generous portions. Prices were also clearly stated, so there were no surprises at the end.
If you’re visiting Jagalchi Market for the first time and feel intimidated like we did, I strongly recommend Stall 36!! Ladyboss even gave us free scallops and uni because she saw me looking at another lemon8 post which also featured her store!! ❤️ Ended up snapping a selfie with her and her staff as a keepsake HAHAHA
Hope this helps anyone planning a trip to Busan’s Jagalchi Market!
If you're a sashimi lover visiting Busan, I highly recommend exploring Jagalchi Market beyond just its famous wet market on Level 1. While the energetic calls of stall owners can be overwhelming, heading up to Level 2 reveals cozy restaurants with clearer menus and no pressure sales. One tip I learned is to look for places where the atmosphere feels inviting and the staff communicate patiently — it makes a huge difference when navigating unfamiliar seafood options. At Stall 36, for example, the Chinese ladyboss spoke Mandarin clearly and explained the menu thoroughly, which helped us pick dishes that showcased the market’s freshest sashimi varieties. The seafood here was impressively fresh, including king crabs, clams, and diverse fish species. The generous portions paired with transparent pricing means you get great value without surprises. Plus, unexpected treats like free scallops and uni made our meal even more special — it’s clear that some vendors appreciate customers who research and support them thoughtfully. When planning your visit, consider these personal experiences: take your time walking through the market tanks to see what's available, but don’t hesitate to ask locals or check trusted social platforms like Lemon8 for restaurant recommendations. Sampling grilled fish alongside sashimi helped us enjoy a broader taste of Busan’s seafood offerings. Overall, Jagalchi Market isn’t just about the food — it’s about the vibrant, immersive experience of interacting with passionate vendors and savoring Busan's seaside bounty. If sashimi is high on your list, this market promises fresh quality and friendly service that'll make your trip memorable.
