100-year-old market bustling  with people from dawn to dusk 

[Seomun Market]

 Seomun Market in Daegu was one of the three major markets of the Joseon dynasty along with the ones in Seoul and Pyongyang. With the Gyeongsang Gamyeong (provincial office) being established in Daegu in 1601, the small market located outside the north gate of Daegueupseong Walled Town went through rapid development along with the city of Daegu. The market was relocated to the place just outside the west gate where the provincial office was located, and it was renamed into Seomun (west gate) Market. According to records, merchants from all over the country came to  Seomun Market on the days ending in a 2 or 7. In 1922, the market was relocated again to the current place, which was made by reclaiming a large pond named Cheonhwangdangji. The market celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2023. 
             

[Seomun Market]

 As the center of the textile industry, silk and cotton are its main trade, whose volume is the largest in Korea, but what attracts tourists to this market is the numerous and diverse foods offered at different shops. Among them are sujebi (Korean-style pasta noodle), kalguksu (knife-cut noodle), banquet noodle, flat dumpling (Daegu's specialty), hotteok (sweet and hot pancake), addictive bean sprout tteokbokki (hot and spicy rice cake), and pork and rice soup. Make sure to visit the market on an empty stomach.                  
 

[Seomun Market]

 The night market held on the weekend has expanded its scope. Those foods served at dozens of stalls here seem to represent the entire world’s dishes. There are long lines in front of every stall, so get a cocktail before you start waiting in line at one of the stalls selling cup makchang (grilled intestine) and skewers, noodles, meat pancakes, skewers or pad tai. From a media façade dynamically created with beams on the outer wall of the Seomun Market Parking Tower, interactive media art that lights the stalls of the night market, to a photo zone symbolizing the monorail of Line 3, Seomun Night Market is as bright as a day. Indeed, it was selected as one of the top spots of Korea's night tourist attractions in 2020.                
 

 ©Daegu Traditional Market Service Agency

Address: 50, Dalseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu
Operating hours: 10:00-19:00
* Night market: Friday-Saturday 19:00-23:30 / Sunday 19:00-22:30
Closed: 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month 
Exit number 2 or 3 of Seomun Market Subway Station (Daegu Subway Line 3)

【Top 3 Eateries at Seomun Market】

©Daegu Traditional Market Service Agency

©Daegu Traditional Market Service Agency

Flat dumplings          
At first sight, you may wonder what made this greasy flour pancake a specialty of Daegu. After trying one, you will be too busy eating the second and third to continue thinking about it. Cooked in variations, it is delicious in many different ways, whether it is sprinkled with soy sauce and red pepper powder and plenty of green onions on top, wrapped in tteokbokki (spicy rice cake), or served with vegetables seasoned with red pepper paste.
 

Meat pancake          
Unlike ordinary meat pancakes that use beef, meat pancakes at Seomun Market are made of pork. Both dishes are cooked the same way, but you can have pork pancakes as big as your father's hands at a very good price. It comes with crunchy onions and secret sauce. Make sure to order a large serving.
 

Pork Makchang (Korean sausages)          
Makchang in Daegu is made of beef and pork by-products supplied fresh from nearby slaughterhouses. Among different variations, pork makchang is the best. You may visit Anjirang Gopchang Alley, or make an adventure of trying to find an unknown good restaurant. The secret of makchang lies in the delicious sauce full of hot peppers and chives.
 

【Places to Visit】   

E-World and 83 Tower       
 Lotte World and E-World are the only two theme parks in Korea that have three large-scale roller coasters. In addition, they are armed with adventurous attractions such as Mega Swing 360, Sky-drop, Sky-jump, and Air Race to offer thrill and fun. Festival after festival continues throughout the year starting with the Tulip Festival, Attraction World, Starlight Cherry Blossom Festival, Aqua Fantasy, Character World, and Snow Fantasy. 83 Tower in E-World is the second tallest tower in Korea, and it is a masterpiece depicting the octagonal Silla Dabotap Pagoda. The tower offers an incredible view of the entire city. 

Address: 200, Duryugongwon-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu
Inquiries: +82-53-620-0001
Operating hours: 10:30-22:00
Closed: N/A (open all year round)

Kim Kwang-Seok Road 
 A singer with a beautiful voice, the late Kim Kwang-seok has appeared again through murals in his hometown. Along the 350-meter-long wall, paintings show him singing or giving a lone glance to the sea. The murals remind people of the lyrics of his songs. Cafes and shops along the road also evoke the atmosphere of the 1980s and 1990s, when he was alive. Every year, a memorial concert for him is held on January 6, a birthday concert on January 22, and a contest for singing his songs is held in autumn in Bangcheon Market and Dongseong-ro.

Address: Dalgubeol-daero 450-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu
Operating hours: Varies by shop 
Closed: Varies by shop

Daegu Modern Culture Alley
 Daegu Modern Culture Alley is the second course in the "Travel to Daegu Alleyway," an alley tour program in Jung-gu, Daegu. This most popular route takes you to the Dongsan Cheongna Hill and Missionary Houses, Independence Movement Road, Guamseowon Confucian Academy, Gyesan Catholic Cathedral, Seo Sang-don's old house, Gyesan Culture Experience Center (Gyesan Yega), mulberry alley commemorating the Chinese naturalized to Joseon, 400-year-old medicine market, Jeil Church, Herbal Medicine Museum, Daegu YMCA Center, Jong-ro, Jin Alley and an elementary school for the Chinese. The alley is just 1.64 km long, but it takes about two hours to complete the tour as there are many things that attract your attention. 

Address: 6-1, Seoseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu (Gyesan Yega information center)
Inquiries: +82-53-661-3323
Operating hours: Summer 09:00-18:00 / Winter 09:00-17:30
Closed: Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day), Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day)