The Mercado Municipal of Concepción is the practical heart of the town, where the surrounding region converges to buy and sell. Fresh produce from the Concepción department, provisions for river journeys, meat, clothing, and household goods are all available. The meat section is typically Paraguayan — quantities of beef, particularly the cuts used for asado, dominate.
The market is busiest in the early morning. It is also where you can get a good, cheap meal of typical Paraguayan food — sopa paraguaya (the corn and cheese bread that is a staple of the country), chipá (cheese bread), and simple grilled meat. Eating at the market stalls is the most honest introduction to the local diet.