Gukje Market (국제시장), BIFF Square (비프광장) and Bupyeong Kkangtong Market (부평깡통시장) are three connected markets in Nampo (남포), Jung-gu, Busan — and you can walk all three in a single afternoon and evening. Gukje is a huge postwar market for goods and street food; BIFF Square is the film-festival street famous for seed hotteok (씨앗호떡); and Bupyeong Kkangtong runs Korea’s first permanent night market, where food stalls open from about 19:30. This guide covers what to eat and buy at each, their hours, the night-market times, and how to link them with Jagalchi Market in one easy loop.
Last updated: June 2026 · Written for first-time visitors to Busan.
What is Gukje Market in Busan?
Gukje Market (국제시장) is one of Korea’s largest traditional markets, a sprawling grid of covered alleys in Nampo (남포), Jung-gu, Busan. “Gukje” means “international,” and the market grew out of Korea’s hardest years: it took shape after the country’s liberation in 1945, then expanded when refugees who fled to Busan during the Korean War set up stalls to sell imported and traded goods. Today it is a living piece of that history.
Many visitors know it from the 2014 film Ode to My Father (Korean title: Gukjesijang / 국제시장), which set a multi-generation family story inside the market and brought a new wave of travelers to its lanes. Tip: the alleys are arranged by trade, so one row may be all fabric, the next all tools or kitchenware — wander rather than aiming for a single “main” entrance.
What can you buy and eat at Gukje Market?
Gukje Market sells everyday goods — clothing, fabric, tools, kitchenware, cosmetics, dried foods and souvenirs — alongside some of the best street food in central Busan. It is a working local market, not a polished tourist mall, which is exactly why it is worth a visit. Bring cash, as many small stalls and food vendors do not take cards.
- Hanbok (한복) and fabric — rows of shops sell traditional Korean clothing and bolts of cloth.
- Household goods — tools, kitchenware, toys, electronics and general merchandise at local prices.
- Street food — look for bibim dangmyeon (비빔당면), cold glass noodles tossed with vegetables and sauce, a Gukje-area specialty, plus tteokbokki, kimbap and fried snacks.
- Photo spots — the market’s film-set corners (like the Kkotbunine shop from Ode to My Father) are popular for photos.
Tip: come hungry but pace yourself — Gukje flows straight into BIFF Square and Bupyeong, so save room. For more dishes to hunt down across the city, see our Busan food guide to 8 must-try dishes.
When is Gukje Market open?
Most of Gukje Market is open roughly 09:00–20:00, and many shops close on Sundays (some on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, others every Sunday). Hours vary shop by shop, and the lanes are at their liveliest in the afternoon. If a Sunday is your only option, the street-food stalls and food alleys are more likely to be running than the goods shops — but treat 09:00–20:00 and the Sunday closures as a guide and confirm locally before a special trip.
What is BIFF Square, and what should you eat there?
BIFF Square (비프광장) is a pedestrian street on the south side of Gukje Market, famous for street food and as the birthplace of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which launched here in 1996. The name comes from the festival, and the pavement is studded with the handprints of film stars who have visited over the years, a little like Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.
The must-try snack is ssiat hotteok (씨앗호떡), or “seed hotteok” — a sweet fried pancake that the Busan version stuffs with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, nuts and brown-sugar syrup. It is widely credited as a Busan signature popularized right here, and you will usually pay only a couple of thousand won for one (prices vary by stall, roughly ₩1,500–4,000). Tip: eat it standing, fold the paper cup to catch the dripping syrup, and let it cool for a few seconds — the filling is molten when it comes off the griddle. Beyond hotteok you will find tteokbokki, fried snacks, skewers and more.
What is Bupyeong Kkangtong Night Market?
Bupyeong Kkangtong Market (부평깡통시장) is a covered market next to Gukje that hosts Korea’s first permanent night market, opened in 2013. By day it is a normal market of food, dried goods and groceries; in the evening, red food carts roll out into one of its arcades and the alley turns into a street-food run. The “kkangtong” (깡통, “tin can”) name dates to the postwar years when the market sold canned and imported goods.
The night market runs every evening from about 19:30, into the late evening, and is closed only on the big traditional holidays (Seollal and Chuseok). Stalls sell food from Korea and well beyond — expect tteokbokki and hotteok next to grilled pork belly, kebabs, Japanese okonomiyaki, Vietnamese banh xeo and more. Tip: the alley is narrow and the carts sit in the middle, so keep to the right and go with the flow of the crowd. Nearby Bupyeong is also known for bibim dangmyeon (비빔당면), the cold mixed glass-noodle dish.
Gukje, BIFF Square & Bupyeong: market comparison
| Market | What it is | Hours | Best for | Nearest station |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gukje Market (국제시장) | Sprawling postwar traditional market of goods + street food | About 09:00–20:00; many shops closed Sundays (verify) | Hanbok, fabric, household goods, daytime browsing, bibim dangmyeon | Jagalchi or Nampo (Line 1) |
| BIFF Square (비프광장) | Film-festival street (BIFF, since 1996) with street-food stalls | Daytime into evening (stall hours vary) | Seed hotteok (씨앗호떡), snacks, star handprints | Jagalchi (Line 1, Exit 7) or Nampo |
| Bupyeong Kkangtong (부평깡통시장) | Day market + Korea’s first permanent night market (since 2013) | Night market about 19:30–late, daily except Seollal/Chuseok | Evening street food from Korea & abroad | Jagalchi (Line 1, Exit 3), ~10-min walk |
How do you visit all three markets in one trip?
All three markets sit within a few minutes’ walk of each other in Nampo, so you can do them on foot in one afternoon-into-evening, ending at the Bupyeong night market. They also adjoin Jagalchi Market on the harbor, which makes for an easy four-stop loop. A simple plan:
- Afternoon — Gukje Market (국제시장). Browse the goods alleys and graze on street food while the shops are open.
- Late afternoon — BIFF Square (비프광장). Walk south out of Gukje to the film street and grab a seed hotteok.
- Optional — Jagalchi Market (자갈치시장). A two-minute walk toward the harbor for Korea’s biggest seafood market (see our Jagalchi market guide, coming soon).
- Evening — Bupyeong Kkangtong (부평깡통시장). Circle back as the night-market carts open around 19:30 and finish the day with street food.
Tip: this Nampo market cluster pairs naturally with a day in central Busan — slot it into our perfect 3-day Busan itinerary for the rest of the route.
How do you get to the Nampo markets by subway?
Take Busan Metro Line 1 to Jagalchi Station (자갈치역) or Nampo Station (남포역) — both put you within a short walk of all three markets. Jagalchi Station is the handiest single base: it is about a 5-minute walk to Gukje and BIFF Square, and roughly a 10-minute walk via Exit 3 to Bupyeong Kkangtong.
- Gukje Market & BIFF Square — Jagalchi Station (자갈치역), Line 1; BIFF Square is about a 5-minute walk from Exit 7. Nampo Station (남포역) also works.
- Bupyeong Kkangtong — Jagalchi Station (자갈치역), Line 1, Exit 3, then about a 10-minute walk.
New to the system? Our guide to using the Busan subway covers fares, T-money and transfers.
FAQ
What time does the Bupyeong Kkangtong night market open?
The Bupyeong Kkangtong night market (부평깡통시장) opens every evening from about 19:30 and runs into the late evening, with food carts lining one of the market’s arcades. It is open daily except on the major Korean holidays of Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok. End times can vary, so treat the schedule as a guide.
What is ssiat hotteok at BIFF Square?
Ssiat hotteok (씨앗호떡), or “seed hotteok,” is a sweet fried Korean pancake, and the Busan version sold at BIFF Square (비프광장) is stuffed with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, nuts and brown-sugar syrup. It is one of Busan’s signature street snacks and usually costs only a couple of thousand won (roughly ₩1,500–4,000, depending on the stall). Let it cool for a moment, as the filling is very hot.
Are Gukje Market, BIFF Square and Bupyeong walkable together?
Yes. All three sit side by side in Nampo (남포), Jung-gu, within a few minutes’ walk of each other, and Jagalchi Market is right beside them on the harbor. You can browse Gukje and BIFF Square in the afternoon, then finish at the Bupyeong Kkangtong night market when the carts open in the evening, all on foot.
Is Gukje Market open on Sundays?
Many shops at Gukje Market (국제시장) close on Sundays — some every Sunday, others on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month — while the food alleys are more likely to keep running. Hours vary shop by shop, so if a Sunday is your only option, expect a quieter market and confirm locally before a special trip.
Do I need cash for the Nampo markets?
Yes — bring cash. Many small stalls and street-food vendors at Gukje Market, BIFF Square and the Bupyeong night market do not accept cards, and cash is faster at busy food carts. Korean won in small notes is the easiest way to pay. For a full overview of paying in Korea including card acceptance and ATMs, see our paying in Korea guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gukje Market and why is it famous?
Gukje Market is one of Korea's largest traditional markets in Busan, a sprawling grid of covered alleys that grew out of the post-war and Korean War eras. It's a working local market selling everyday goods like clothing, fabric, and kitchenware alongside great street food, and many visitors know it from the 2014 film Ode to My Father.
Can I use my credit card at Gukje Market?
Many small stalls and food vendors at Gukje Market don't accept cards, so bring cash. This is especially important for street food and smaller shops.
What are the best hours to visit, and what should I know about Sunday closures?
Most of Gukje Market is open roughly 9 AM–8 PM, with the lanes at their liveliest in the afternoon. However, many shops close on Sundays (some on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, others every Sunday), so confirm locally before a special trip if visiting on a Sunday.
What is the signature snack at BIFF Square and how much does it cost?
The must-try snack is seed hotteok, a sweet fried pancake stuffed with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, nuts and brown-sugar syrup; you'll typically pay around 1,500–4,000 won depending on the stall. Eat it standing up and let it cool for a few seconds since the filling is molten when it comes off the griddle.
When does the Bupyeong night market open, and what can I eat there?
The Bupyeong night market, Korea's first permanent night market, runs every evening from around 7:30 PM into the late evening (closed only on Seollal and Chuseok holidays). Stalls sell tteokbokki, hotteok, grilled pork belly, kebabs, okonomiyaki, banh xeo, and other Korean and international street foods.
Explore more Korea Go Now guides
- Hunt down more local dishes with our Busan food guide to 8 must-try dishes.
- See where these markets rank among the city’s highlights in our Top 10 things to do in Busan.
- Fit the Nampo cluster into your route with our perfect 3-day Busan itinerary.
- Reach it all easily using our guide to the Busan subway.
- Explore all of Busan’s street food and night markets