It is said that the best way to find out about a region is to visit its traditional market. The traditional market is the place where one can discover the most traditional flavors, most diverse products, and the purest manner of hospitality.
Fifth-day market refers to a market that is held every five days, and it is only open six times a month. In the history of Korea, the fifth-day market was a place for commerce that preceded the modern-day market that opens every day. You probably heard of the famous fifth-day market in Jeju Island, but Busan has its interesting fifth-day markets. Let’s find out more!

Gupo Fifth-day Market

Gupo Fifth-day Market is the most famous and oldest fifth-day market in Busan. The market is held on dates ending with the digits “3” and “8.” Thus, it is open on the 3rd, 8th, 13th, 18th, 23rd, and 28th of the month.

Gupo Fifth-day Market is also referred to as the “market of hospitality.” This is because you will feel the warmth and care of the market people that are not easily experienced in city life. Variety products are selling at the Gupo Market, where people are constantly bargaining for the price. Here, they’ve got everything from seasonal fruits to fresh seafood and other delicious foods.
“Can you give me a discount?” “All right, young man. I’ll give it to you for less!”
Then the young man received a generously filled-up basket. In the fifth-day market, you can experience the traditional culture of Korea and enjoy the fun of bargaining in a foreign country. It’s a lot of fun!
Unlike other fifth-day markets, Gupo Fifth-day Market has a cover when it rains. Thus, you able to go to the market even on a rainy day.

Hadan Fifth-day Market

Hadan Fifth-day Market is held on dates that end with “2” and “7.” Thus, the market is open on the 2nd, 7th, 12th, 17th, 22nd, and 27th of every month.
Hadan Fifth-day Market is quite large located near the Nakdonggang River, and there have all sorts of products piled up.

At Hadan Fifth-day Market, locals love to buy agricultural products and locally produced seafood at a cheap price. The traditional side dishes like tteokbokki (spicy rice cake), and sweet and sour chicken have sold here which represent of Busan nostalgia since most citizens of the city enjoyed eating these as kids.

Nopo Fifth-day Market

Nopo Fifth-day Market is also held on days that end in “2” and “7.” Nopo Fifth-day Market is also known as the “Oshige Market.”

Here, non-food products such as used clothes, bags, and shoes are sold at affordable prices. Also, some stalls sell a variety of flower pots and flowers.
“The products are nice and cheap” is an expression that refers to the Nopo Fifth-day market. The Nopo Fifth-day Market is filled with the sound of people bargaining, which can be really fun to watch.

Nowadays, people shop in clean and convenient supermarkets or department stores. So, fifth-day markets are becoming history for the past. Traditional fifth-day markets are no longer held in most large cities, but Busan is trying to keep the tradition lively. Come and experience the market culture and hospitality from the people of Busan.
When in Busan, don’t miss the fifth-day market!