Daejeon Jungang Market
Daejeon Jungang Market is a large covered marketplace in central Daejeon, running between Daejeon Station and the Daejeoncheon Stream. Its narrow aisles are lined with small stalls selling dried seafood, fresh fish, vegetables, fruit, herbal medicine, traditional hanbok clothing, and ready-to-eat food.
The market was established in the mid-20th century near Daejeon Station, which was then a major transit point in the country. As the city grew around it, the market expanded into a central supply point for the surrounding neighborhoods.
The market draws its name from its central location in downtown Daejeon and serves as a gathering place where daily life unfolds. Visitors can observe local traditions in action, from the preparation of homemade kimchi and rice cakes to the friendly bargaining between vendors and customers that happens throughout the day.
Going in the morning gives the best chance to see the widest selection, as some vendors start selling out by midday. Many stalls are cash only, so it is worth having local currency on hand before entering.
Some fish vendors inside the market will prepare just-bought fish as sashimi on the spot, so visitors can eat it right there. This kind of immediate preparation is unusual for an inland city market and makes the fish section stand out from typical urban food markets.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
