Food Tour | Recommended Tour

Busan Market Tour: Must-Try Foods at Gupo Market, a Century-Old Market in Busan

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Written and Photographed by Jo Min-gyeong, 6th Cohort Gobugi Creator

Gupo Market grew around Gupo Port, where goods brought along Nakdonggang River were once traded. With both a permanent market and a traditional five-day market still operating today, it is a place steeped in history. From a wide variety of cooking ingredients to delicious snacks, there’s plenty to enjoy on a food tour. As I walked through the covered market alleys, I found everything from full meals and snacks to side dishes to take home, all in one place.

One Kkwabaegi and Two Bowls of Noodles

At Motnani Kkwabaegi, I tried a sweet rice kkwabaegi (twisted sweet rice doughnut) for KRW 1,500. With the first bite, I enjoyed its pleasantly chewy texture followed by a soft, fluffy center. It’s a great snack to enjoy while strolling through the market.

Yi Won-hwa Gupo Guksi is a great place to stop by for a simple noodle meal. You can enjoy affordable noodles with Ttasin Guksi (hot noodle soup) for KRW 6,000 and Bibim Guksi (Spicy Mixed Noodles) for KRW 7,000. The Ttasin Guksi topped with dried seaweed and chives and the Bibim Guksi coated in red sauce made a striking contrast even in appearance.

The anchovy broth in the Ttasin Guksi was especially well-seasoned, with a clean, refreshing flavor that felt more soothing with every sip.

An Expected Dessert at a Gimbap Shop

No market visit is complete without gimbap. There was a wide variety to choose from, including Thick Egg Gimbap, Tuna Gimbap, Spicy Fish Cake Gimbap, Keto Gimbap, Chicken Breast Keto Gimbap, and Avocado Gimbap. The pink Cherry Blossom Gimbap and yellow Forsythia Gimbap were especially eye-catching with their thick, colorful slices.

The shop also sells Hotteok Soft Serve for KRW 3,000. The combination of hot hotteok (syrup-filled pancake) and cold ice cream in a single cup makes for a delicious treat. It’s the kind of gimbap shop where you might stop by for the gimbap and end up falling in love with the dessert, too.

Market Alleys Packed with Great Food

There are plenty of other popular foods to try at Gupo Market. At Ilbeonjangteo Twigim, the display was lined with fried snacks and other Korean street foods while many customers waited for their orders in front of Gimgane Wang Jokbal.

At Sokboineun Mandu, steam rising from the dumpling steamers draws passing market visitors. After checking out the meat, kimchi, shrimp, and spicy chili dumplings, I also stopped by Sijang Kalguksu—which serves kalguksu (noodle soup) and suyuk (boiled pork slices)—and Cheongdo Someori Gukbap, known for its beef head meat and rice soup and pork and rice soup. One of the joys of visiting a market is taking in the sights and browsing the menus before deciding what to eat.

At Gamassot Donkkaseu Gatsking, you can choose between a cheeseburger and an old-fashioned burger. Priced at just KRW 2,500 each, these nostalgic burgers offer a taste of the past.

You’ll also find homemade gangjeong (sweet rice puffs), dakgangjeong (deep-fried and braised chicken), sliced smoked duck, and bags of baked goods waiting around every corner.

Aside from snacks, you’ll find vendors selling sashimi, fresh vegetables, fruit, kimchi, and more. It’s a great market to visit for a food tour and pick up ingredients for dinner while you're there.

If you visit Gupo Market, come ready to enjoy plenty of delicious food. With a wide variety of affordable meals and snacks to try, your market tour will surely be even more enjoyable.

Q&A

Q. When is the best time to visit Gupo Market, Busan’s century-old market?

A. Gupo Market is a permanent market, but it also continues to host a traditional five-day market. The five-day market is held on dates ending in 3 or 8 each month; although the hours vary by vendor, the market generally operates from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM. On five-day market days, street stalls fill the alleys surrounding the permanent market to create an even livelier atmosphere. If you’d like to experience a more vibrant side of the market and see a wider variety of sights, I recommend visiting on a five-day market day.

Overview

Address
7 Guposijang 2-gil, Buk-gu, Busan
Hours
Open year-round, 8 AM to 8 PM Hours and closing days vary by vendor.
The five-day market is held every 3rd, 8th, 13th, 18th, 23rd, and 28th of the month.
Service Fees
Free (food and other purchases not included)