Locals swear by it—buy authentic Korean goods here for half the Seoul price... Hanboks are a smarter buy than rental.

▲ Daegu’s Seomun Market offers a wide variety of goods at great value, beloved by locals. (Photo / Reporter Lü Xiaowen; same below)
 

Reporter Lü Xiaowen / Reporting
Daegu Metropolitan City, commonly known as Daegu, is South Korea’s third-largest city.It has long held an important commercial position in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and has been a hub of economic trade since ancient times.The traditional markets that have been passed down have flourished even more after South Korea’s economic recovery—not only has trade become more frequent, but many South Koreans who are put off by Seoul’s high prices are also drawn here.

▲ Seomun Market attracts a significant number of domestic tourists.

It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach Daegu from Seoul via KTX high-speed rail, with a fare of 44,000 KRW (NTD); coming from Busan takes just 40 minutes, costing 17,000 KRW, less than NT$500.Compared to the prices in these two major cities, Daegu offers almost everything for half the cost, which is why many South Koreans flock to Daegu on weekends and holidays.

ETToday has specially compiled a list of must-visit and must-buy items in Daegu that Koreans highly recommend. (

# Daegu Yakjeon Market – Korean Herbal Medicine Wholesale Market #
As early as over 300 years ago during the Joseon Dynasty, Korean medicine culture began to develop, and Daegu, strategically located, could gather medicinal herbs from China, Japan, Russia, and other regions, thus naturally becominga distribution hub for Korean medicine. Korean herbal medicines and practitioners from all over South Korea come here to source goods.Foreign merchants familiar with the trade also come here. A roughly 700-meter stretch along Namseong-ro and Dongseong-ro 3-gil in Daegu is home to nearly 200 Korean medicine-related shops. Reporters found that the price of one kilogram of ginseng varies by quality, ranging from about 50,000 to 100,000 KRW.

▲ Every May, Daegu holds a special Yakjeon Market Festival to celebrate.

# Seomun Market – Daegu’s Dongdaemun #
Seomun Market originally started as a small marketplace but gradually grew into a larger trading hub as more merchants arrived. Here, you can wholesale anything you need—from food, clothing, shelter, and transportation to education and entertainment. Items range from bowls and plates to hardware and construction materials. Officials from the Daegu Tourism Organization said that compared to Seoul’s Dongdaemun, you can get the same items here for almost half the price. It’s a hidden gem known mostly to locals. Moreover, it’s not a chaotic mess but a well-planned market with goods neatly categorized, making it very pleasant to explore. Want to eat? Head to the B2 floor. Looking for trendy clothes? Check out Zone A on the 1st floor.

▲ The small noodle stalls in Seomun Market are packed all day long.

Of course, at Seomun Market, known as Daegu’s Dongdaemun, there are several locally recommended bargains that are an absolute steal.

1: Hanboks
Typically, when we visit Korea, we just rent a hanbok, but here you can actually buy one for the price of renting. Plus, they’re custom-made—you can choose everything from the fabric, style, and design to accessories like headpieces, corsages, and even bags. It’s an all-inclusive package, usually costing just 200,000 to 250,000 KRW (about NT$5,000–7,000), which is a bargain compared to Seoul’s often million-KRW hanboks.

▲ People from all over South Korea come here to find hanboks, especially during weddings and holidays when the place is especially crowded.

2: Trendy Fashion
Korean-style clothing is very popular, and Seoul’s Dongdaemun is even hailed as Asia’s fashion capital. But everything you can find at Dongdaemun is also available here—and for only 2/3 to 1/2 the price. Buy just two items, and you’ve made back your KTX fare.

▲ Modified hanboks and various fashionable clothing are very popular among wholesale buyers, much like Taipei’s Wufenpu, which is why this place is also called “Daegu’s Dongdaemun.”

3: Braised Pork Ribs
When talking about Seomun Market in Daegu, you can’t miss the braised pork ribs. These ribs have been featured by all three of Korea’s major TV stations, and many famous K-pop stars have also made pilgrimages here—top mentions include Kang Ho-dong and Song Joong-ki.

▲ The braised pork ribs at Seomun Market are a must-visit, widely recognized.

4: Seasonings and Dried Seafood
Since ancient times, people here have had a strong preference for cooking with pickled and dried ingredients. Here, you’ll find an abundance of seasonings such as dried Alaska pollock, dried sand lance, shrimp paste, and soybean paste. The packaged portions are quite large—if you’re shopping for a typical household, you can weigh them directly, giving off the vibe of a traditional Lunar New Year market. Bags of seasonings are packed in sacks, and you can weigh out however much you need. Not only is the selection comprehensive, but the prices are relatively low too. For families preparing large quantities of kimchi and pickled vegetables for winter, this is an excellent place to go.

▲ Koreans have a particular fondness for seasonings, sauces, and dried goods, making this a must-visit spot for many housewives.

＃Coffee Street＃
Koreans love gathering in coffee shops to chat and unwind, and it’s also a top choice for dates. Daegu’s coffee scene is especially noteworthy because all of South Korea’s famous coffee chains originated in Daegu Metropolitan City. As a result, Daegu is considered the birthplace of Korean coffee. The city boasts a wealth of unique coffee shops, so when you visit Daegu, be sure to check out Coffee Street and try hand-dripped coffee—something Koreans take great pride in—at a charming café of your choice.

▲ This place is not just a café but also a performance venue, where you can even control the lighting and mixing. The small image shows a mixer.

▲ It’s said that not letting a Korean have coffee after a meal is almost like cruelty. As a result, you’ll find coffee shops of all styles in every corner. The photo shows a century-old Korean hanok café preserved by a Korean noble family, also known as the Greeting Old House.