One of the “off the beaten track” places I went to on my recent trip to Busan in South Korea. Thank goodness most of the books were in Korean, as you might have lost me for days in there!
Bosudong Book Street: Busan’s Best-Kept Literary Secret
In a city known for its beaches, seafood, and neon-lit nightlife, it’s easy to miss the quiet corners. But tucked into the heart of Busan’s Jung-gu district lies a street that feels like it belongs in another time—Bosudong Book Street.
Where History Meets Paperbacks
Bosudong Book Street (보수동 책방골목) started during the Korean War. As refugees fled to Busan, displaced booksellers set up shop here, selling everything from used textbooks to foreign language novels. Over decades, those makeshift stalls grew into permanent stores—and today, the alley remains one of Korea’s last bastions of secondhand book culture.
Walk down the narrow path, and you’ll find bookshelves spilling out onto the sidewalk. Old signs creak in the breeze. Dusty stacks rise like mini skyscrapers inside the tiny shops. Every store has its own rhythm, and every book looks like it’s got a story behind it.
What You’ll Find
Secondhand Gold Mines: From out-of-print Korean literature to tattered English paperbacks, Japanese manga, vintage cookbooks, and even old-school exam prep materials—there’s something for everyone.
Retro Ambiance: Think cracked wooden floors, hand-written labels, and shelves that look like they haven’t moved in decades. If you’re into analog vibes, this place is heaven.
Art in the Alley: Murals and colorful signage have sprouted along the walls in recent years, giving the street a touch of modern character without losing its old soul.























