Jukdo Market: The East Sea's Largest Traditional Fish Market

Jukdo Market (죽도시장) is a covered traditional market in central Pohang that sprawls across several city blocks and incorporates over a thousand individual stalls. The market is divided into distinct zones: a fresh seafood hall dealing in live East Sea catches, a dried fish section famous for its squid and saury, a produce market selling seasonal vegetables and local specialities, and a street food alley with dozens of small restaurants and pojangmacha. It is recognised as the largest traditional market on Korea's East Sea coast and one of the most important fish markets outside of Noryangjin in Seoul.

Jukdo Market formally opened in 1971 on the site of an older informal market that had operated near Pohang's harbour since the liberation era. The market grew in tandem with Pohang's development as a steel and industrial city, feeding a large working population with affordable fresh seafood from the nearby East Sea fishing grounds. Snow crab (영덕대게) caught in the waters between Pohang and Yeongdeok became the market's signature product, attracting visitors from across Korea who come specifically to buy or eat the local crab at dramatically lower prices than in the capital.

The live seafood hall is the most dramatic section, with tanks of writhing octopus, abalone, sea cucumber, and live crab stacked floor to ceiling. Visitors can select their seafood and have it prepared immediately in an adjacent restaurant section — a practice called "chamsuri" (참수리) unique to Korean fish markets. The dried fish section is excellent for purchasing gourmet saury and squid to take home as gifts.

Arrive before 9 AM to see the market at its most lively and to access the best selection before bulk buyers clear the top-grade stock. Snow crab season runs from November to May — outside this window the market still thrives but with different catches. The market is a 10-minute walk from Pohang Train Station.