Best & Cheapest Places To Eat In Daegu, South Korea

1. New Saladdin daegu

One of my favorite restaurants in Daegu, as well as Korea, is a small Indian place called New Saladdin daegu. With a friendly local owner who speaks 3 languages fluently and cooks all the food himself, you know we have found something special here! Located across the street from Kyungpook National University (north gate), this small and cozy, family owned Indian restaurant is making a name for itself for its homestyle menu items, traditional decorations and probably the best Indian food you can get in Daegu. Their Palak chicken is one of the best I have ever had in my life, but they also offer all of the usual Indian items like samosas, madrassi, tikka masala, vindaloo, lassi, chai, etc. If you are in the area during lunch (which I never am), they do have lunch specials to bring down the price even more, and it usually includes a set of a curry and rice or naan.

New Saladdin Daegu

Address: 79 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41544, South Korea

Facebook: New Saladdin

2. Chai

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Another favorite of mine in downtown Daegu for a nice but affordable meal is Chai. Chai serves mostly Thailand style dishes, Pad Thai, Pad See Ew and some curries, but also seafood and rice dishes. The price point is affordable starting around 12,000 KRW (10 USD) per dish, however their portions are huge! Many couples and groups of friends come here and share meals because of the generous portion sizes. People that frequent Chai come back not only because the food is delicious but because the staff is nothing short of amazingly friendly, fast and attentive. Their ambiance is very rustic, yet spacious and inviting. Of course the location downtown doesn’t hurt! After you eat you can always walk around or head somewhere nearby for a coffee or dessert!

Chai

Address: 14-3 Samdeokdong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea

3. Nazar Kebab

In downtown Daegu and on a serious budget? Here is your place! No fancy 5 star service or tablecloths here. Just delicious and cheap Turkish cuisine. The staff is always friendly and are always fast to take your order and serve it, no matter if you dine in or take out. Here you can sample some falafel, hummus, shwarma, Turkish hamburger or whatever other Turkish food tickles your fancy. With wraps and other Turkish goodies starting from just 5,000 KRW (4 USD) you are sure to find something to eat, even with that tight budget of yours. To make themselves easier to access, Nazar Kebab recently moved to a prime location right on bar street, next to Kiki’s bar. Now you cannot miss them and they are open from 5pm to very late (usually 3 or 4 am) on weekends!

Nazar Kebab

Address: 62 Dongseong-ro 3-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu 41941, South Korea

Facebook: Nazar Kebab

4. Etoh's

Feeling sad and missing American pizza? Head over to Etoh’s where you will find an American owned pizza joint in the center of downtown Daegu. They don’t open until 3pm on most days, but are open late (usually until 3am) since they also double up as a nightlife/bar option. Here you can sample normal cheese or pepperoni pizza’s from 16,000 KRW (14 USD) that are big enough to serve 3-4 people. If you are feeling adventurous, they have many varieties of pizzas from chicken pesto, to Hawaiian to veggie or all meat. These specialty pizzas will cost you 21,000 KRW (18 USD) and up, so make sure not to over order!

They offer a full bar here too, so if you want pizza with a cocktail or beer you can find a nice variety but don’t expect much of a bargain - beers start at 6,00 KRW (4.50 USD) per bottle/draft and go up, depending on where they are from. Cocktails are in the 8,000 KRW (6.5 USD) and up range, depending on what alcohol you use in your drink. If you like trivia or are into card games, Etoh’s have special game nights advertised on their Facebook page that you can check out. Usually entrance includes drink specials and a fun night out where you can casually meet other foreigners in Daegu.

Etoh's

Address: 12-3 Dongseong-ro 3-gil, Jung-gu, Daegu 41942, South Korea

Facebook: Etoh’s

5. The Burger

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SOYOOM (@soyoom_jewelry)

The Burger has become my new favorite burger place in Daegu, and not just because the burgers are delicious, or because they have real cheese fries, or because they have fresh pressed juices and milkshakes, or because they have a convenient location in downtown Daegu. Wait, yes, it is because of all those things and more. And with very friendly English speaking staff ready to help with anything you need, very reasonable prices, and a modern decor that is open and bright (featuring full glass windows to people watch), who is not already sold?! With burgers starting at 6,000 KRW (4.5 USD) and sets starting at 13,000 KRW (11.5 USD) this place does not break the bank. For the quality of the meat, the portion sizes and the prime location, you really can’t find a better burger place in downtown Daegu.

The Burger

Address: 더 버거 The Burger, 봉산동 25-7, Daegu, South Korea

Found some tasty lunch or dinner options in downtown Daegu?

Great! Now head to Bawoldang or Jungmaro underground shopping malls (that are both walking distance nearby) to walk off your meal and then try another awesome food spot in downtown Daegu!