Crazy deal: Fly to Daegu for just NT$1,300 to eat silkworm pupae and pufferfish — over 50% cheaper than Seoul

▲ Daegu’s cuisine stands apart with its unique flavor profile. (Photo / Reporter Lü Xiaowen; same below)

Reporter Lü Xiaowen / Reporting

Daegu, South Korea, enjoys distinct seasons, each with its own charm. Compared to Seoul and seaside Busan,Daegu, located inland on the Korean Peninsula, has historically served as a transportation hub and a key city for waterway and land trade.Known for its vivid and dynamic character, the city has long stood out with its distinctive charm.

Daegu and Taipei became sister cities in 2010. With Taiwanese visiting South Korea over 800,000 times a year—and nearly 80,000 of those trips including Daegu—Eastar Jet’s new direct flights between Taiwan and Daegunow make the journey just 2 hours and 20 minutes. Early bird tickets start as low as NT$1,300 one-way, and with taxes, a round-trip could cost under NT$6,000, making it an incredible deal. Eastar Jet previously even offered promotional fares as low as NT$699 one-way.Eastar Jet had even previously launched promotional one-way tickets for just NT$699.


▲ In November this year, Eastar Jet joined the competition on the Taipei–Daegu route with budget-friendly red-eye flights.

In Korea, Daegu is often associated with “beauty,” thanks to the many naturally stunning women said to come from the region—including newlywed Song Hye-kyo. Due to its geographic role, Daegu has long been a distribution hub for goods across the peninsula, and so its cuisine also differs from that of both the north and south, forming its own unique inland style. In the past, due to difficulties preserving food and the constant flow of merchants,local specialties often feature strong pickled, salty, and savory profiles. Dishes emphasize rich seasonings and focus on deep, lasting flavors. Whether it’s sauces, pickles, soaks, or dressings, all are intensely aromatic.
 
Just by looking at Daegu’s most beloved local specialties, you can clearly see how it stands apart from other Korean dishes.

# Braised Pork Ribs at Seomun Market (삼겹살 된장찌개)
Braised pork ribs are practically a staple street food in Daegu.Similar versions can be found in homes and on street corners, though seasonings may vary slightly.But those from Seomun Market are particularly famous, having been featured by all three major Korean TV networks and visited multiple times by renowned host Kang Ho-dong—helping it gain widespread fame. (
 

▲ Just the look of the dish shows Daegu’s love for bold flavors.

# Four Ways to Eat Pufferfish (
Pufferfish dishes in Daegu are not only famous but also very affordable.Prices range from 1,000 KRW to 25,000 KRW (about NT$286–715) depending on the type of pufferfish, and include stir-fried, pan-fried, clear soup, and cold salad styles.The most popular is the iron-plate stir-fried pufferfish, and after finishing the meat, you can even ask for rice to be stir-fried into a pufferfish fried rice—a highly cherished local specialty.

▲ Both the stir-fried and soup versions have their own unique appeal.

# Korean Herbal Chicken Stew
Korean herbal chicken stew differs from the well-known Korean ginseng chicken soupin that it incorporates various medicinal herbs like astragalus and angelica.It’s highly nourishing and typically served with multigrain rice. Even Korean tourists visiting Daegu seek it out—reportedly a favorite of K-pop star Song Joong-ki, who mentioned it on a TV show. A single serving costs around 13,000 KRW (about NT$350).

▲ Korean herbal chicken stew is considered a health-boosting medicinal dish.

# Silkworm Pupae
Korean side dishes usually come with small plates of pickled vegetables, butin Daegu cuisine, no matter what you’re eating, your side dish might not include kimchi—but it will definitely have a plate of silkworm pupae.Whether it’s grilled meat, hot soup, or stew, silkworm pupae are practically a staple. They can even be found everywhere at street stalls. The outer layer is crispy, and when you bite into it, the inside bursts with juice. If served as part of a meal’s side dishes, they’re free of charge; buying a single serving from a street vendor typically starts at 3,000 KRW (about 100 NTD), varying in size.

▲ Silkworm pupae appear in nearly every dish’s side servings.

# Clear Seolleongtang + Beef Offal Mixed Stew Combo
Seolleongtang is what we commonly know as oxtail soup.Korean-style seolleongtang has a long cooking time, resulting in a thick, milky-white broth—hence the name “seolleongtang” (snowy soup).It’s a dish particularly favored by the elderly and believed to help with hangovers, making it popular among older Koreans. Meanwhile, steamed beef offal is great for recuperation after an all-night drinking session. Prices vary, but generally hover around 15,000 KRW (about 300–400 NTD).

▲In the past, steamed beef offal was considered quite a high-end dish.

# Signature Dangmyeon Noodles (寄攒??) + Seafood Soup Noodles (蒸患吸??) + Chive Dumplings (??固葱)
(This is a very common home-style combo meal—you can imagine it as a typical lunch set for office workers in Daegu. The price is also around 15,000 KRW (about 445 NTD).

▲ Most Koreans will order a bowl of noodles plus dumplings or side dishes. Korean dumplings are different from those in Taiwan—they usually have more wrapper and less filling.

# Sea squirt
At street stalls or markets, you’ll see many people sitting down to order a plateof sea squirt to go with soju. It’s usually eaten raw, just peeled open. Prices are around 3,000 KRW (about 100 NTD).。



▲ Sea squirts are low-level chordates often mistaken for plants. They’re very common at Korean street stalls and usually eaten raw with soju. In Taiwan, they’re rare and seldom tried by locals. Mostly produced along the Shandong coast, they’re also called “sea pineapple” or “sea breast.” The photo shows one serving.

Additionally, common Korean dishes like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and soondae (blood sausage) are also widely available. And then there’s mackerel noodle soup, which frequently appears on the table and is considered one of Daegu’s must-try budget-friendly dishes.Common Korean dishes like tteokbokki and soondae are also widely available, and the ? fish noodles that frequently appear on the table are also listed as one of Daegu’s must-try affordable local dishes.。Currently, there are multiple weekly flights from Taipei to Daegu, with very affordable ticket prices. More importantly, the cost of living in Daegu is about one-third lower than in Seoul or Busan, making it ideal for office workers or students looking for a casual trip.
 

▲Korean herbal-infused desserts with a rich medicinal flavor.

▲ A street-side stall selling silkworm pupae.

▲ Spicy stir-fried rice cakes, which Koreans eat anytime, anywhere—Daegu-style tends to be slightly sweeter.