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When you arrive at or depart from Busan Station, picking up authentic local culinary souvenirs is an essential tradition. Among the many iconic coastal delicacies the city offers, none carry more history or acclaim than Busan Eomuk (어묵 – Fish Cake).

Situated right across the station plaza along Jungang-daero 214beon-gil is the flagship station hub of Korea’s oldest operating fish cake brand: Samjin Amook Busan Station Plaza Branch (삼진어묵 부산역광장점).

The store commands attention beneath the Gwangjang Hotel building with its clean brick-and-glass exterior and illuminated logo celebrating its founding in 1953. Combining a bakery-style artisanal fish cake market on the ground level with a spacious, cafe-style dining lounge on the second floor, it offers a convenient and comfortable stop while waiting for your train. Let’s take a look inside!

• 📍 Address: 7 Jungang-daero 214beon-gil, Dong-gu, Busan (Naver Map Link)

• 🚅 Location: Directly opposite Busan Station Plaza, just steps from the main pedestrian crosswalks.

• 💡 Key Highlight: Korea’s oldest fish cake brand (Since 1953), extensive bakery-style display counters, signature fried fish cake croquettes, hot skewered fish cake soup kiosk, pre-packaged gift sets, and a dedicated 2nd-floor lounge with self-heating microwave stations.

Chapter 1. A 70-Year Legacy: The Historic Roots of Samjin Amook

To understand why Samjin Amook is considered a non-negotiable stop in Busan, one has to look back to 1953. Founded in Yeongdo, Busan, by Park Jae-deok during the Korean War, Samjin Amook began as a humble processing workshop supplying protein-rich, affordable seafood cakes to war refugees.

Over the decades, the brand revolutionized the Korean street food industry by pioneering the “Eomuk Bakery” (어묵 베이커리) concept. Instead of treating fish cakes solely as raw soup ingredients sold in wet markets, Samjin reimagined them into ready-to-eat gourmet pastries filled with cheese, seafood, and vegetables, earning nationwide fame and establishing Busan as the fish cake capital of Korea.

Chapter 2. The Ground Floor Marketplace: A Vast Bakery of Seafood Delights

Entering the first floor of the Busan Station Plaza branch reveals an expansive, modern marketplace bustling with local commuters and travelers.

The first floor features polished terrazzo floors, warm exposed brick columns, and multi-tiered glass display cases illuminated by warm hanging pendant lights. The sheer variety of fish cakes can feel overwhelming at first glance.

The central warming cases showcase an extensive lineup of fresh, ready-to-eat snacks:

• Eomuk Croquettes (어묵고로케): Crispy, panko-breaded exterior shells stuffed with savory fillings like cheese, spicy pepper, shrimp, and curry.

• Specialty Skewers & Bars (어묵바): Grilled and fried fish cake skewers packed with whole sausages, mozzarella cheese, spicy buldak seasoning, and vegetables.

• Classic Flat & Rolled Cakes: Traditional high-protein fish cakes perfect for cooking at home or enjoying as a savory snack on the go.

Chapter 3. The Steaming Kiosk: Comforting Hot Fish Cake Soup (Mul-Eomuk)

Right near the front counter area sits a dedicated traditional-style wooden stall that draws in travelers with the aroma of slow-simmered seafood broth.

The Mul-Eomuk (물어묵) kiosk serves piping-hot, skewered fish cakes resting in a rich, savory broth crafted from dried anchovies, kelp, and radish.

Ordering a cup of hot broth along with folded skewered fish cakes offers instant comfort, particularly on chilly mornings or after a long rail commute. The broth is clean, deeply savory, and pairs perfectly with the springy, tender texture of the freshly simmered fish cake.

Chapter 4. Bringing Busan Home: Curated Chuseok & Travel Gift Sets

For travelers searching for thoughtful souvenirs for family, friends, or business colleagues, Samjin Amook provides a dedicated gift packaging counter.

The store features seasonal and year-round pre-packaged gift boxes—including signature “1953 Sets” and premium assortment collections. These boxes are vacuum-sealed, packed with cold insulation, and presented in sturdy, stylish carrying cartons, making them effortless to transport safely on the KTX train back to Seoul or beyond.

Chapter 5. The 2nd-Floor Oasis: Relaxing and Dining While Waiting for the Train

Rather than rushing to find a crowded waiting bench inside the train station, head up the wide internal staircase to the 2nd floor.

The upper level opens up into an expansive, loft-style relaxation lounge equipped with plush sofas, low coffee tables, private booths, and communal wooden dining tables under warm ambient lighting.

The second floor provides a Self-Service Station complete with microwave ovens, serving trays, tongs, and paper napkins. Guests can simply pop their purchased fish cakes into the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds to restore their warm, fluffy texture.

Taking a seat by the massive second-floor picture windows allows you to enjoy a warm cup of fish cake soup, crispy croquettes, and skewered bars while watching pedestrians and traffic move across the station plaza below. It serves as a peaceful, stress-free haven to recharge before your departure.

📌 Editor’s Note: The Must-Visit Souvenir & Snack Hub at Busan Station

If you are passing through Busan Station, taking a short stroll across the plaza to Samjin Amook is highly recommended. Bringing over seven decades of coastal heritage into a sleek, two-story bakery format, this flagship branch makes sampling and gifting Busan’s finest street food effortless. Indulging in a crispy hot croquette, a skewered fish cake, and a steaming cup of savory Mul-Eomuk broth—while relaxing comfortably in the spacious 2nd-floor window lounge—provides a delicious, convenient finale to any journey through Busan.