South Korea Trip 2013: Day 7 in Busan (Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market, Haeundae Beach, Seomyeon)

View of the port from top of Jagalchi Market building

It's been a week 'living' in South Korea and I think I can get used to some things Koreans do everyday here. Public transportation is a like a gift from the heavens (compared to KL's train and bus services) and the weather is fine on most days (unlike the unpredictable rain in KL). A quick check on the daily forecast to decide on how warm to dress is a habit I've adopted, and I sorely miss that ritual once I'm back in tropics.

Houses up the hill in the distance near Gukje Market

After a quick breakfast near the hotel, I ventured to Gukje Market to get some pots and pans to bring home. It's pretty much like Namdaemun Market in Seoul, but with far less hustle and bustle and variety merchandise for sale.

GM Music store in Gukje Market, arguably the cheapest shop to get your K-pop albums in Busan

I managed to find a gem in the middle of Gukje Market as I strolled along. In the middle of one of the main intersections of the market you'll see this K-pop CD store, GM Music. It's quite difficult to miss since they are the only shop selling CDs (I think) in this market. The prices here are also lower than that of CD shops in Seoul. I really regretted buying my CDs in Seoul and lugging it back all the way on the KTX...

Jagalchi Market, seafood haven

From Gukje Market, it's just a short walk passing BIFF Square before crossing over to Jagalchi Market. If you are a seafood lover, you must make a stop here when you are in Busan. Sea creatures, alive and dead, are for sale and also for on-the-spot consumption.

Ladies selling fresh catches from the sea outside the main Jagalchi Market building

Since I love seafood, I wanted to visit this place very much. But, I really dislike going to wet markets since young (bad experience, yo) and I really tried my best not to get my shoes wet. You can see ladies selling fresh seafood even outside the main Jagalchi Building.

Huge mussels on sale

I'm a huge of mussels and I see them selling huge nets of them! So tempted to buy but how would I cook or bring them home? Just walk past, just walk past...

Sea squirts

Wriggling live seafood are displayed for sale everywhere you look once you enter the first floor of Jagalchi Market.

Huge snow crabs

A Korean couple who manned a stall wanted to sell some snow crabs to my travel partners and I. Thinking we're from Hong Kong, they asked for a really high price for one snow crab. I think they mentioned around RM200+ for one snow crab, inclusive of cooking fee in their food stall upstairs. We waved them off, saying we'll look around. They were quite friendly even when we didn't make a purchase, and gave us their name card before we walked off.

Live abalones!

There were also abalones on sale, all wriggling away. I felt it was cruel to see them displayed for a customer to come and buy and send it for the cooking pot, yet I was fascinated to see a real live abalone for the first time. I'm a city girl at heart, no doubt!

Fresh huge scallops

I also saw these fresh and juicy scallops that really made me want to eat them on the spot. They were so huge I think I could only fit 2 of these on my palm.

Oops... here's the octopus!

And don't forget those huge octopus swimming in the tanks! The only octopus I see daily is those small and cute little ones sold at Japanese sushi joints in KL...

Oase Seafood Buffet at Jagalchi Market

Probably the most lunch I've ever eaten in South Korea is my buffet lunch at Oase Seafood Buffet at Level 5, Jagalchi Market. Some friends recommended this place to my travel partner since they had a bad experience with the seafood served by those small little stalls (Level 2) which cooked the seafood bought straight from the market (Level 1).

Lunch is served from 12pm to 2.30pm and since I went there on a weekend, I paid a higher price than for weekdays. The buffet lunch costs 37,500 won (approximately RM113) for adults, but for that price I get to taste all types of fresh seafood as opposed to only 1 type if I buy it straight from the marketplace downstairs.

Assortment of seafood and others served at Oase Seafood Buffet

The variety of food served is quite vast and better than most buffets I've been to KL. The seafood was very fresh, but apart from the sushi counter, other counters served the seafood cooked for hygiene and health purposes. Their kimchi variety was quite good, but still lacking in terms of taste compared to those served at traditional Korean restaurants.

Butter grilled abalones! Yums!

The chefs served the butter grilled abalones around 1pm, when most guests have had their fill of almost half of the variety served. Although most diners were full, there was still a long queue at the counter where they grilled the abalones on the spot. It's super yummy, so obviously people kept going back for more.

Grilled prawns and snow crabs

The grilled prawns and snow crab were just so-so compared to the abalones. I so did not regret for not buying the snow crab at the stall downstairs earlier. Imagine how much crab I would have to eat in a meal... and how many hours I would have spent eating!

For more information on Oase Seafood Buffet, do click on the link.

Exiting Jagalchi Market

After lunch, I left Jagalchi Market and walked across to BIFF Square. You can see it from the picture above. The umbrellas in the distance is where BIFF Square is from Jagalchi Market.

All types of octopus / squid ready to be grilled

My travel partner just must have her grilled octopus since we were in BIFF Square. A cup of grilled octopus like in the picture above costs 5000 won (approximately RM15) and it's really a great chewy snack as you stroll along people-watching or goods-buying!

Busan Tower in the background at Gwangbok Street

After BIFF Square we walked back heading towards our hotel, passing by Gwangbok Street. The street has a lot of upmarket brands and strolling along during the day is as exciting as during the night since all the shops are open for business. The prices here are quite high though, so I did not purchase anything here.

Charles & Keith store along Gwangbok Street

Even Singaporean brand Charles & Keith has a store on Gwangbok Street. It really is a 'global' street in terms of brands as they have a good mix of renowned local and foreign brands here.

From Gwangbok Street we took the subway to Haeundae Beach. It's a really really long ride during peak hour without seating the whole way! My travel partners and I were tired by the time we reached our destination.

The tagline says 'Sun & Fun' at Haeundae Beach, but there is none during autumn

And we realised that it's no 'Sun & Fun' at Haeundae Beach in the middle of autumn. But that doesn't stop us from visiting the famous beach to revel in all it's glory!

Haeundae Beach

Although summer is over and winter is on its way, there are still people lingering around on the beach. Locals and tourists like myself came just to get a glimpse of this famous beach. In autumn, one of the best activities is going shopping at the nearby Haeundae Market, sipping coffee at one of the many cafes facing the beach, or even try your luck at the casino at Paradise Hotel, as pictured in the background above.

Not sure what it is, but I guess it's Bbopki (caramel sweet)

I passed by a stall selling sweets carved into shapes, but there wasn't anyone manning the stall so I couldn't buy one. I guess it's called Bbopki? I'm not 100 percent sure but it looks pretty similar though.

Haeundae Market

Next up is shopping at Haeundae Market! My travel partner found some tin lunch boxes similar to the ones we had at Miss Lee Cafe for 5000 won (approximately RM15) each at a shop selling pots and pans. There are also many shops selling groceries, seafood and vegetables in the marketplace, as well as fried snacks to keep warm.

A replica of Trevi Fountain in Lotte Dept Stores, Seomyeon

From Haeundae Beach, I took the subway and decided to stop at Seomyeon for dinner before heading back to the hotel. If you take the subway, stop at Seomyeon Station and you'll be connected directly into Seomyeon Lotte Departmental Stores and Daehyun Underground Mall.

Youths relaxing while on their mobile phones near the Trevi Fountain

I realised that when Koreans do stop walking and take a rest, they'll definitely flip their phones out, scrolling away. They are really so into online surfing that I finally understand why they are such a fast-paced nation since information gets disseminated really quickly.

I didn't really buy anything at the Daehyun Underground Mall since I've done my fair bit of shopping (and the luggage bag looks like it's gonna burst already) but I managed to get a Hello Kitty tumbler at 12,000 won (approximately RM36) from Lotte Departmental Stores. It's quite a steal compared to those sold at the Hello Kitty Cafe in Hongdae, Seoul.

That ends my seventh day in Busan, South Korea and look out for more posts on my travels in the Land of the Morning Calm!

Read about my experience in Nampodong, BIFF Square and Gwangbok Street (Busan) here!

Read about my experience in Chungmuro, Namdaemun and Myeongdong here!

Read about my experience in Edae, Hongdae, D-Cube City and Dongdaemun here!

Read about my experience in N Seoul Tower, Namsangol Hanok Village, Garosugil and Go-To Mall here!

Read about my experience in Gyeongbukgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, Samcheongdong, Changdeokgung and Insadong here! 

Read about my experience in Busan (KTX and Busan City Night View Tour Bus) here! 

The author is already missing the daily Banana Milk and Chocopie she takes for breakfast, and is wondering when she'll be able to return to South Korea again.

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!  

South Korea Trip 2013: Day 1 in Busan (Nampodong, BIFF Square, Gwangbok Street)

Lotte Dept Store at Nampodong

My dream holiday to South Korea finally came true! When AirAsia first launched their new route to Busan in April earlier this year, I chanced upon the cheap airfares and managed to book a return ticket for approximately RM800!

After months of researching on the internet and tedious planning (since I'm on a self-guided tour) on my maiden visit to South Korea, I was ready to experience the country that I've only been to see on my television and through K-pop songs I loved to listen.

Busan Tower Hill Hotel

I booked a 4 night stay at Busan Tower Hill Hotel in Jungang through Agoda, for approximately RM300 per night. My stay was split into 2 parts, the first night in Busan, then another 4 nights in Seoul, and another 3 nights in Busan before heading home to Kuala Lumpur. They have a luggage storage service too, so that's another brownie point from me, since I left my luggage with them before leaving for Seoul via KTX.

Cozy beds and warm ambience in hotel room

I loved the service provided in Busan Tower Hill Hotel. The beds were cozy and comfortable, and all necessary amenities including toiletries were provided. Counter staff were polite and friendly, and very helpful too!

Clean bathroom and toiletries are provided

I loved that they were generous with their body wash, shampoo and conditioner. Not many hotels provide such huge bottles of toiletries. The best of the toilet was the warm bidet! Never fear of sitting on a cold toilet seat during autumn or winter again!

Gwangbok Underground Shopping entrance just outside the hotel

After checking into the hotel at 4.30pm, I had a stroll around the surrounding area. Since it's autumn, the sun sets around 5.30pm and by around 6pm it's already completely dark. With nothing much to do, I had a walk looking for dinner. Jungang Station is the nearest subway station to Busan Tower Hill Hotel, take exit 1 since it's the nearest. 

Next, I found Gwangbok Underground Shopping Center just a short walk out the hotel. It's somewhere where Lotte Departmental Store is in sight, to be precise.

One thing great about Korea is there are many entrances to their underground shopping centers or subways, so just go down any entrance you encounter because you'll eventually end up in the same place no matter where you enter from.

Nampo Underground Shopping entrance

Nampo Underground Shopping Center is linked to Gwangbok Underground Shopping Center, if you walk along following the signs, you'll end up here from where Lotte Departmental Store is. If you exit from Nampo Underground Shopping Center, you'll find yourself closer to BIFF Square and Jagalchi Market.

Buzzer given when you order food or drinks

I had my first dinner at Lotte Departmental Store since it was Sunday and not many shops around the hotel were open. I had a great first experience with the buzzer! It will buzz when your order is ready. Then you proceed to collect your order at the designated counter. 

Jeonju Bibimbap at Lotte Dept Store food court

The Jeonju Bibimbap (approx 7000 won; RM21) I had was quite similar to the bibimbap that I've tasted in KL, so there's nothing to shout about. What I loved was every other meal I had in Korea came with free refillable drinking water, so that's savings in terms of drinks. Their meals are usually around 7000 won, which means it's a budget of RM20 every meal, (thank goodness food in Malaysia is cheap!) but of course it's a huge portion each round with many side dishes (kimchi!).

BIFF Square entrance opposite Jagalchi Market

Next up after dinner I went to BIFF Square to get a glimpse of night market life. There was a particular hotteok stall that was popular and has a long queue. 

Look out for this hotteok stall with a long queue somewhere outside the Eight Seconds store

The hot hotteok (1000 won; RM3) was delicious and was a perfect snack in the cold weather. 

Hotteok, the perfect hot snack in the cold weather

I also tried the spicy grilled chicken (2000 won; RM6) on a long stick, but unfortunately I was too busy eating to take pictures!

Entrance to Yongdusan Park (Busan Tower) along Gwangbok Street

Next I had a stroll back to the hotel from BIFF Square through Gwangbok Street. This street is quite nicely done up and I find myself thinking that I was in some European country. Many branded stores, both international and local, lined this street.

Hollys Coffee next to Teenie Weenie on Gwangbok Street

There seems to be no shortage of coffee chains on Gwangbok Street too. Hollys Coffee, Coffine Gurunaru, Tom N Toms Coffee, and Caffe Bene are among the coffee shops you can opt to stop for a hot drink here.

Caffe Bene along Gwangbok Street

I stopped at Caffe Bene for a drink before heading back to the hotel. It's endorsed by Crayon Pop in very Christmassy red uniforms, which is sure to put you in the Xmas mood. Next up for Day 2 is the KTX ride to Seoul!

Read about my experience in Chungmuro, Namdaemun and Myeongdong here!

Read about my experience in Edae, Hongdae, D-Cube City and Dongdaemun here!

Read about my experience in N Seoul Tower, Namsangol Hanok Village, Garosugil and Go-To Mall here!

Read about my experience in Gyeongbukgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, Samcheongdong, Changdeokgung and Insadong here!

Read about my experience in Busan (KTX and Busan City Night View Tour Bus) here! 

Update: Check out my latest account of my trip to Japan in 2015 here. Stay tuned for more updates on this trip!
 
The author was thrilled to be able to step on the grounds of the Land of the Morning Calm. Busan was a pretty much laid back town and next up is the adventurous shopping experience in Seoul! Look out for the next post!

Do follow me on Twitter for the latest updates!