Seomun Market (서문시장) is one of Korea's largest traditional markets, a sprawling covered complex in the western part of central Daegu that has been in continuous operation for centuries. The market's footprint now includes several attached buildings and thousands of stalls selling textiles, clothing, dried food, hardware, and household goods. It is a working market rather than a tourist attraction, which makes it more interesting than the curated experience of some Seoul markets.
The night market, which runs on Friday and Saturday evenings, has turned part of the complex into a street food destination — tteokbokki, pajeon, and hotteok are the staples, along with seasonal dishes. On a Friday evening the lanes fill up and the atmosphere is excellent.
The market is most interesting on weekday mornings when it is at its busiest and least self-conscious. The textile section in the covered halls is worth a walk even if you're not buying — the sheer volume and variety is a reminder of what traditional commerce looked like before malls.