Seodaemun-gu opens Chuseok direct-trade market — up to 40% off specialty foods from across Korea

Ahead of the Chuseok holiday, Seodaemun-gu will host a market where residents can buy Korean beef, fruit, dried yellow corvina, deodeok root and other regional agricultural and seafood specialties from across the country at prices up to 40 percent below retail.

Seodaemun-gu will hold the "2026 Chuseok Direct-Trade Market" on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hongjepokpo Square and the Cafe Pokpo terrace.

This year's market will feature about 300 product lines from 57 vendors representing 33 cities and counties nationwide — an expansion from the roughly 30 cities and counties that participated last year.

Shoppers will find a wide range of regional specialties under one roof, from holiday staples such as Korean beef, apples and pears to local products including dried yellow corvina and deodeok, as well as gift items such as flower teas.

Because producers sell directly to consumers, cutting out distribution middlemen, prices are discounted below retail across the board. Some items are marked down by as much as 40 percent. Korean beef will be sold at 20 to 25 percent below market price depending on the cut, while seasoned dried kelp products will be about 29 percent cheaper, easing the holiday shopping burden for residents.

Alongside produce from around the country, traditional markets and alley commercial districts in Seodaemun will also join the fair. Vendors from Baengnyeon Market, Yeongcheon Market, Yujin Arcade, Hongjae Alley Shopping Street, good-price establishments and the Sinchon Youth Food Store will sell a variety of street foods, including kimbap, tteokbokki, sundae, mandu, steamed buns, corn dogs, rice cake and sausage skewers, twisted doughnuts and coffee.

There will also be activities for families after they finish shopping. Hands-on programs will include making Woori-rice grain snacks, a companion-plant clinic and a potted-plant workshop. On Saturday, a bubble show is scheduled at noon and a taekwondo demonstration at 3 p.m., with balloon art and other on-site events also planned.

A portion of sales at the market will go back to the community. Participating vendors will voluntarily donate up to 5 percent of their event proceeds to a neighborhood-assistance fund. Residents' Chuseok shopping will thus help expand producers' sales channels, support local commerce and contribute to the community.

"The greatest value of the direct-trade market is that it lets residents meet quality produce from farms and fishing villages up close, while opening new sales channels for producers," Seodaemun-gu District Mayor Park Woon-ki said. "We hope everyone will use this market — where people connect directly with one another — to prepare for a warm and generous Chuseok."