Daegu’s Seomun Market is steeped in history and culture and it is the largest traditional open-air street market in the city with more than 4,000 shops!
Daegu is the city of great fashion, and one of the best food recipes were originated in this city. There are many shops and markets in the city, but the Seomun Market is the only traditional market of the Daegu, along with being the oldest and the biggest of the three main markets of the city. It has over 4000 shops categorized into various types such as textiles, food places, sewing services, etc., and you can find almost anything in this market.
The Daegu’s Seomun Market has become one of the most visiting places when a tourist comes to the city. It has many shops and food places that are loved by people and are recommended by many, and it is the best place to get things like traditional Korean trinkets, souvenirs, jewelry, and craft materials. Be it a small book or meaningful traditional antiques; you can get any item of your choice in this market.
History of Daegu’s Seomun Market
As mentioned above, the Seomun Market is the largest as well as one of the oldest markets of Daegu city, and they have the largest number of shops in the whole city. They have about 4000 shops running in the market and some of the best food places that are famous in South Korea. The market was initially known as Daegu-Keun market, and it has a very interesting history. At the time of the Joseon dynasty, the Seomun Market was one of the three major market places that included the Ganggyeong and Pyeongyang markets. The market is located just 300m away from the west gate, and the name ‘Seomun’ also means “west gate,” and this name was given because it referred to its location near the old west gate of the Daegu’s castle.
The market was demolished in the year 1907, and the current form of the market was given when it was reconstructed in the late 1920s. The Seomun Market is one of the largest and oldest markets in the country, and they have the finest quality products of all ranges. The market mostly has small buildings and open-air shops, and they also have large buildings that contain hundreds and thousands of shops. The major and the largest building was building two, which was destroyed in the year 2005 due to fire. They are many outdoor and indoor stalls in the market that specializes in several traditional dishes of Daegu city.
Types of Shops
The Seomun Market of Daegu city is one of the finest and the oldest markets of the country, and they have thousands of shops and food stalls. The market is mainly popular for their fashion industry, and they specialize in fabric and textile-related things such as silk, satin, knitted goods, linen, and several clothing items. The market has a lot more options than these textile choices, and you can also get a lot of choices of silver and crafts products in the market. Though the market has been running for a long time and has an old design infrastructure, they provide you with perfect heating and cooling solutions, and they also have a parking lot with all facilities.
The market is famous for its textile range and fashion products, and you can get every design and quality of your favorite choice here. There is a whole lot of fashion store in the market that is open to bargain when you buy something in bulk. The stores here are not luxurious and modern, so you may get good quality clothing and fabrics at a very cheaper rate in the market. In case you are on a budget, then this is the best option for you.
Let’s look into the different shops and stores that are popular for their qualities and category.
Caricature Stands and Handmade Craft Stores
The Seomun Market of Daegu is famous for its textile and fabric materials and clothing; other than these categories, they are also popular for their souvenirs and handcrafted trinkets. There are a whole lot of options that you can choose from their wide range of products such as small art pieces and mini fans. You can also buy caricatures made by exceptional artists that hang around the market with their small stalls.
Seomun Market’s Clothing and Textile Shops
From the era of Joseon’s dynasty, the Seomun Market has been popular for its excellent quality textile and fabric products. You can get every design and quality of your choice in the Seomun Market, as there are many shops and stores of clothes and textiles in the market. These stores and shops in this market are thrift-based, and you can get your favorite choice at an excellent price range.
Cultural Centers of Seomun Market
The nighttime scenes of the Seomun Market have a very colorful and vibrant side, and they have several artists and talented people in the market that showcase their talents in the market after the shops are closed around 11.30 pm every day and 12.00 pm on the weekends. Other than this, there are many activities performed in the markets, such as a family, or any person can rent hanboks (traditional Korean dress) from the local stores and wear them around the market.
Best Food and Specialty Shops of Daegu’s Seomun Market
Various food stalls and restaurants in the market are famous for the particular food items that are originated and developed in Daegu. The market also has some special stores that have flowers, meats, and seafood.
Street Food Vendors and Restaurants
The Seomun Market has some of the best food stalls and restaurants that provide you with all types of specialty foods, from flat dumplings to short ribs. The best part is that they are extremely affordable and delicious. The mungtigi is the most suggested dish by the locals of the market, and they also have several ramen dishes that are made street-style. You can also enjoy cooking classes that are organized by the market vendors.
Seafood, Meat, and Flower shops of Seomun Market
Apart from the tasty food-making restaurants, they also have a wide range of vegetable and meat shops that provide you with almost every option. From traditional seafood to authentic and original Chinese tea, you can get every product of your choice in the market. You can also get fresh and beautiful unique flowers from the wide range of flower shops in the market.
Don’t forget to check out these other South Korea travel posts:
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- 10 Best Premium and Budget-Friendly Hotels in Daegu
- Exploring Daegu: Hometown of BTS’ V (Kim Taehyung)
- Exploring Daegu: Hometown of BTS’ SUGA
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