Seomyeon Market is one of the lesser known markets in Busan, South Korea. It's known for its row of Gukbap (Pork Stew) Restaurants but, other than that, is it worth visiting? Read on to find out!
What is Seomyeon Market?
Not to be confused with Seomyeon Underground Shopping centre, Seomyeon Market is a street filled with local restaurants located within walking distance of Lotte Hotel Busan, South Korea- one of my favorite places to stay in downtown Busan. (And thus also close to Seomyeon Station, Seomyeon Medical Street (where people go for plastic surgery), and the Seomyeon Underground Shopping Center 서면지하도상가 where you can find lots of Korean fashion and beauty products at good prices.)
It's very different from Busan's famous markets, Jagalchi Market and Gukje Market- for one, it's much smaller. (And quite a bit dirtier too, in my opinion.) I wouldn't really call it a traditional market- more a street filled with street stalls and restaurants.
Note: don't confuse this area with Seomyeon Pojangmacha Street- the line of orange tents right outside Lotte Hotel Busan, manned by Korean ahjummas (middle-aged ladies.) If you watch Korean dramas, you'll definitely have seen the leads drinking in one of those street tents! They're hard to find in Seoul now though. (That street operates mainly at night.)
Another area that people get confused with is Seomyeon Food Alley, which is actually a stone's throw away. (For the food alley, take Exit 2 from Seomyeon Station.)
It's quite rough around the edges, like Busan. Don't come here expecting to go shopping for genuine luxury brands! You'll find many locals there, with the odd tourist or 2. I didn't see many young people here- mostly those of working age or even retirement age.
Tip: there are SO many fake designer goods in Busan. Even shopfronts in Seomyeon underground mall sell them! If you want to go upmarket, head to nearby Lotte Department Store Busan to be safe. There's also a Lotte Duty Free Shop where you can find many international brands.
Mobility Note: It won't be an easy place to get around if you're in a wheelchair.
What to Eat
Seomyeon Market is about 60 years old and a great place to try some of Busan's local foods.
However, do NOT eat at one of the street vendors, unless you've asked for the price beforehand (and are familiar with Korean food prices.) Many tourists have reported paying unreasonably high prices at the street stalls here.
The indoor market stalls, to be honest, also don't look very welcoming. They look quite a bit less clean than the markets I've seen in Seoul.
Instead, I usually dine at one of the nearby restaurants! They offer good food at very affordable prices.
Dwaeji Gukbap
If you're on a budget, you can dine here for a very reasonable price. I paid 9000 Won (just under USD7) for this hearty, filling, and delicious pork rice soup.
Seomyeon Market is particularly famous for its row of Gukbap restaurants, one of the must-try foods in Busan. (It's a pork and rice stew that was invented out of necessity, due to food shortage.) I've had Gukbap both here and at other parts of Busan- Seomyeon Market is definitely one of the best places to eat this particular Busan specialty!
Samgyetang
Another of my favorites is the Samgyetang restaurant.
This was recommended by the concierge at Lotte Hotel Busan. I almost didn't go as Busan is not particularly known for samgyetang (Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup.)
However, I am SO glad I did- it's one of the best things I ate in Seoul! And it had its own local touch- the soup came with octopi inside. (You get SUPER fresh seafood in Busan.)
Milmyeon
Another of the Busan local dishes that you can find here is Milmyeon, a type of noodle soup.
Other popular street foods to try are Eomuk, Tteokbokki (Korean Rice Cake), and Gimbap (Korean Sushi. To learn more about Japanese vs Korean food, click here.)
When to Visit
I would recommend going for a late breakfast, early lunch, or late lunch. The lines for the restaurants can get VERY long during peak hours!
Getting There
You can take the subway (and walk a short distance) or a bus.
Here are the Buses that stop nearby:
- Bus 108, 138, 167, 168, 17, 23, 67, or 68 at Seomyeon Market
- Get off Bus 10, 111, 583, 66, 83, 83-1, or 88 at Seomyeon
Be warned that Busan buses aren't for the faint-hearted though. The bus drivers stop and start with a vengeance- I sometimes fall over even when sitting down!
Expert Tips
- Bring cash! Although Korea is super advanced in digital payments, some Korean Won wouldn't go amiss here.
In summary, Seomyeon Market is very much like Busan: energetic, vibrant, and with the edge of a port city. If you're not staying near Seomyeon, don't bother traveling all the way here just to see the Market- it's not a must-see attraction in Busan. (And if you only have time for 1 thing in Seomyeon, I recommend Jeonpo Cafe Street over this Market.)
However, if you're in the area with a lot of time to spare and an empty stomach, it's worth a stop!
Any questions about Seomyeon Market? Let me know in the comments!
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