Jagalchi Fish Market

Just before boarding my ferry back to Japan, I took a walk around the Jagalchi Fish Market. I guess it can be compared to Tsukiji(<–click here to see my post about Tsukiji) fish market in Tokyo. But a couple of key differences struck me. Most of the people who who working in the market were women, unlike Tuskiji where almost everyone is male. Also, despite being around noontime, the market was still very busy. Tsukiji is busiest at 5 am when the big tuna auction takes place and is basically closed by 10 am everyday. Jagalchi was not only busy at noon, but they were still auctioning off fish. Jalgalchi felt like a more relaxed place than Tsukiji.

She sells sea fish by the sea shore. Anyone know what kind of fish this is? I have no idea. I know very little about fish.

These squid are still alive and thrashing about.

Apparently this area is famous for this kind of dried fish. My friend told me she sees people selling them all over the place, but has not once witnessed someone purchasing one.

They were selling other things nearby too, like this fruit.

Yukhoe (Beef Sashimi)

On my last night in Busan, my friends took me out for Yukhoe, Korean beef tartare. We had it served three ways, on its own, over rice, and over noodles. Each one had slightly different flavor due to the different toppings. I’m not sure what was used to flavor the rice or noodles, but the plain beef was served with cheese, greens and three sauces that were all sesame based. Delicious!

Raw beef. Behind it, a raw egg yolk, in front of it, cheese, and to the right in this picture are the sauces.

Yukhoe on rice. Yummy in my tummy.

Shinsegae – World’s largest department store

In my previous post about the Lotte department store, I introduced the world’s largest indoor water show. At another major department store in Busan, Shisegae at Centum City, they may not have an indoor water show, but they seem to have just about everything else. Shinsegae means new world (新世界). In addition to your typical clothing stores, book stores, shoe stores, cafes, restaurants, and toy stores, this gigantic shopping complex also has a multiplex, a skating rink, a roof top park, an indoor golf range, and a spa. Although this is the largest Shinsegae, it is not considered the flagship store. Their flagship is in Seoul.

At the entrance into Shinsegae from the subway, a copy of Rome's Trevi fountain. Seems pretty old world for a place called 'New World' if you ask me...

I took some pictures of the city from the roof top park. Some of the shrubberies were blocking my view.

Another pictures of the city at twilight.

The city grows taller and taller and taller.

Black uncle seems to be a Korean pastry chain store.

Silkworms

Silkworms are a popular street food in Korea. They are known as beondegi.

In the pot on the right are silkworms. I hear that they're delicious. If you ever go to Korea, you could try some.

not pictured: me running away from my friend trying to force feed me a silkworm.

Haeundae Beach

Haeundae beach is one of the most popular places to visit in Busan, for tourists and locals alike. I’ve heard that it is pretty packed with people in the summer. While it was nowhere near to packed when I visited, it was certainly not empty.

This guy seems a little depressed. Cheer up! It's a beautiful day and the beach is lovely.

Me and my friends at the beach.

Is this a couple from a stereotypical personal ad? Maybe after this long walk along the beach at sunset, they will have a romantic candlelit dinner.

The beach is strictly no smoking.

Busan United Nations Memorial Cemetery

Busan is home to the only United Nations memorial cemetery in the world. The cemetery contains the remains of people of many nations who all perished in the Korean war.

Korean war memorial at the cemestery that reminded me a lot of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC

From the front of the cemetery/park. I guess they felt the need to remind me that I was in Korea.

In memory of those who gave their lives during the Korean war.

A few of the graves of the soldiers

These apartment buildings are very typical of the ones I saw in Korea. And they're made by Samsung.

I liked the way the shadows fell on this path.

Dunkin Donuts

Dunkin Donuts. A familiar American chain store that I have never seen in Japan. But it was all over the place in Busan. But it wasn’t all donuts and coffee coolattas.

That's right folks. Roasted in Korea. It would be a silly idea to roast the beans before they get to Korea.

Good luck finding this in an American Dunkies. It's boba a.k.a. bubble tea a.k.a. tapioca milk tea. It was delicious by the way.

A Korean ad for Dunkin. Smart change. Smart Dunkin.

You can also buy cakes at Dunkin. This one sells for 10,000 won or about 10 USD.

This one is also about 10,000 won or 10 USD. It's not very big, but enough for a couple of people. Considering that it's a heart, I'd imagine it's aimed towards a couple of people who are a couple.

Lotte Department Store

In my previous post, I had a picture of the outside of the Lotte department store. The Lotte department store is the second largest in Busan. It is located in an area often given the nickname of Lotte Town because the Lotte department store, Lotte hotel, and Lotte cinema are all in the same vicinity. That’s a lot of Lotte! Other than shops and restaurants, the main attraction in the Lotte department store is the world’s largest indoor water show.

The fountain that plays the starring role in the world's biggest indoor water show!

Hot dogs for sale in the basment if the department store. These are the plastic models meant to entice you to buy the real thing.

Instead of having a fountain where water is pushed up from the ground, this foutain drops the water from the ceiling. And as you can see at the top of the photo, this gives them the ability to spell out words such as "BUSAN."

After the water show went on for a few minutes, a clown and 3 acrobats came out and preformed soem acrobatic feats. I think they may have noticed I was taking their picture.

An acrobatic feat. Did I mention that this whole show just happened to be starting when my friend and I walked up? What luck!

Flying through the air.

They even help each other out. awww.

Busan Tower

Like many other cities, Busan has a tall structure that you can go to the top of to get a nice view of the city. Busan’s variation on this theme is Busan Tower.  It was built in 1973 and is 120 m tall, or almost 400 ft.

We found the tower! That's my friend pointing out where it is.

Looking out at a quieter part of the city.

The port of Busan. The port building in the lower right side of the picture is supposed to look like seagulls.

The Lotte department store. Lotte is a big company in Korea, with a fast food chain, a theme park, and several other ventures.

Little Boy

This kid would not stop staring at me. Even when I stared back, he kept staring. Even when I took his picture, he still kept staring. I guess I’m really interesting.

Incessant staring. I like his orange shoes.