Korea has gained the reputation of being difficult to live in for vegetarians and vegans because of how much Koreans eat meat. Whenever I’d ask my students what their favourite food was or what they had to eat the night before, they’d always respond with a type of meat dish.
It’s true that it’s harder to find vegan and vegetarian options in supermarkets and restaurants in Korea compared to other countries like the UK and USA, but it’s not impossible when equipped with the right information. Here’s a handy guide on how to survive as a vegetarian or vegan in Korea.
Table of Contents
Learn useful Korean phrases
Learning how to say I’m a vegetarian or I’m a vegan will come in handy when going to restaurants that don’t specifically cater to these dietary requirements. If languages aren’t your thing then you can still look up the sentences you need and then write them down on paper to show waiters at restaurants.
You can find a list of useful phrases for vegetarians and vegans here.
Join Vegan or Vegetarian Social Groups in Korea
There are a plethora of groups dedicated to different hobbies, identities and ways of living in Korea, which help you navigate life easier. You can easily find Vegan or Vegetarian groups that can aid you surviving in Korea.
Some popular ones include:
You can also search Meetup to find Vegan or Vegetarian groups.
Check What Vegetarian or Vegan Ingredients You Can Find in Supermarkets
There are a lot of more vegetarian or vegan ingredients you can find in Korean supermarkets nowadays, so it’s best to look up meals you can make and then see what’s available in shops. You can simply ask people in online communities what type of vegetarian or vegan food certain shops sell or you can visit certain shops to look for suitable food.
If you’re unsure of the translation of certain things then you can use apps like Papago or Google Translate to help you while you’re shopping.
Pick Undesirable Ingredients Out Dishes
Those who don’t mind eating food that’s been cooked in the same oven or arrived in the same plate as animal products can easily remove any of the undesirable ingredients in the meal they order.
Order rice at restaurants
If you visit a restaurant that serves meat or fish dishes and find nothing vegetarian or vegan on the menu then you can just order rice for your meal and mix it with side dishes, which are mainly safe to eat for vegetarians and vegans.
Order Tofu Dishes
Tofu is a staple vegetarian and vegan dish and is luckily also part of Korean cuisine. Sometimes you’ll find it served as a side dish, but you can also find it as one of the ingredients of main dishes.
If you’re at a meat restaurant then look for tofu meals such as soft tofu soup (순두부찌개). Tofu can also be found in other soups such as soybean paste stew, soybean paste soup and kimchi jjigae.
Buy kimbap
This is the Korean equivalent of sushi. You’ll have to enquire about the ingredients because some kimbap rolls contain meat or fish and some may even contain mayonnaise.
Fortunately, there are usually some vegetarian and vegan options available and if you visit a convenience store you’ll be able to see the ingredients in English. Mayak Kimbap, which you can buy at places like Gwangjang market in Seoul, is especially vegetarian friendly.
Order Bibimbap
Bibimbap is a rice dish that contains various ingredients, which are normally veggies and an egg. However, if you search Bibimbap in Google Images you’ll most likely see meat in the dish, even though it’s an optional ingredient.
If you go to a restaurant and order bibimbap, make sure the dish you’re getting doesn’t contain meat or egg (if you’re vegan). You could do this by mentioning that you’re a vegetarian or vegan or by looking at the ingredients on the menu if they’re there.
Eat temple food
Buddhist temple food doesn’t contain animal products or even other ingredients such as onions, garlic, leeks and chives, so it’s safe for vegans and vegetarians to eat. If you ever go on a temple stay you won’t have to worry about finding suitable food.
Order Japchae
Japchae is a sweet and savoury dish made of cellophane noodles topped with goodies like mushrooms, veggies, sesame oil and soy sauce. It’s literally one of my favourite Korean dishes because it’s so simple yet tasty.
I had japchae for the first time as a banchan (side dish) in a central restaurant in Suncheon when I went out to eat with one of my colleagues. I don’t even remember what the main dish I ordered that day was because the memory of eating Japchae is more distinctive. I next ate as a main meal in Gwangjin-gu, when I met my friend in Seoul.
Sometimes meat is one of the ingredients in the dish, but not always, so make sure that meat isn’t added to it when you order it. If you’re not able to do this and your order comes with meat, then you can just remove it if you’re comfortable doing that.
Try Egg Bread (For Vegetarians only)
Egg bread is a popular street food you can find all over Korea. Since this dish is a loaf of bread with an egg inside, it’s safe to eat for vegetarians as it contains no meat. However, its egg content makes it unsuitable for vegans.
Eat Ramyun
Ramyun (or ramen) is one of Korea’s staple foods, and thankfully it’s safe for vegetarians and vegans to eat. You can order it in restaurants or buy packets or pots of it in supermarkets or convenience stores. Make sure to look at the ingredients, however, because some ramyun contains meat or eggs.
Try Jeon (For Vegetarians Only)
Jeon is a type of pancake mainly made of wheat flour, which is then coated with an egg wash. This dish can have lots of different fillings such as meat, vegetables, fish, seafood and even sweet ingredients.
Although the standard version contains an egg wash, which is unsuitable for vegans, this can be substituted with something like vegetable or olive oil.
Eat Mandu
Mandu are basically Korean dumplings. This dish is so versatile as you can use a variety of ingredients for the filling such as tofu, sweet potatoes and a long list of other vegetables.
Order Tteokk bokki
Tteokki-bokki, or spicy rice cakes, is one of the most popular Korean dishes and the great news is that it’s vegetarian and vegan friendly. Sometimes it’s mixed with cheese to make it less spicy, so vegetarians who can’t handle hot food can try this option.
Order Food Online
You may not be able to certain vegan or vegetarian food in stores, or you may find things at an extortionate price, so it’s worth shopping online to find certain things. Sites like iHerb and Coupang are your best bets.
Visit a Vegan or Vegetarian Restaurant
Now, it’s definitely more difficult to find a vegetarian or vegan restaurant in Korea than it is in the UK, but it’s certainly doable in big cities like Seoul, Busan and Incheon. You can use sites like Happy Cow to find a list of vegan and vegetarian restaurants near you.
But here’s a list of some popular ones you can find in Seoul and Busan:
Seoul
Vegetus (Vegan and vegetarian)
22-12 Yongsan 2(i)ga-dong, Yongsan-gu Seoul, 140-022, South Korea
This restaurant serves western dishes made with ingredients suitable for vegans and vegetarians such as paninis, mac ‘n’ cheese, lasagna, burrito bowls and more.
Food does matter
10 Seorae-ro 1-gil, Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu Seoul, 6581, South Korea
This vegan bistro located in Seoul’s French village, Seorae Maeul, and serves pasta and burger dishes.
Plant Café Seoul
130-43 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
This place is both a café and restaurant and its menu contains a wide variety of colourful dishes from different cuisines.
Cook & Book
361-26 Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Cook & Book is one of the oldest vegan cafes in Seoul. You can order pasta dishes, burgers, pizza and more here.
Hangwachae
13 Insa-dong 10-gil, Gwanhun-dog, Jongno-gu, Seoul
This is a buffet-style restaurant that serves traditional Korean dishes. Its menu is very basic and contains food such as tofu, porridge, acorn jelly and other side dishes.
Busan
Home Bistro & Cafe
5, Jung-dong, 2-ro, 26 beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan
This family-owned vegan restaurant has large drinks selection and wonderful Latin-American décor. Some meals on the menu include salads, sandwiches, tacos, rice dishes and pizza.
April and May 45 Café
60 beongil 12, Mangmibeonyoung-ro, Suyoung-gu, Busan
This café serves brunch and dinner. There are a variety of baked goods, fresh bread, delicious sweets, rice dishes and burgers you can order.
Vegenarang
110-54, Millak-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan, Korea, Busan
This vegan restaurant serves Temple style foods which are simple but delicious.
Daejeon Café
240-12 Bujeon 2i-Dong Busanjin-gu, Busan
This café and restaurants serves cheap and tasty vegan and vegetarian-friendly Korean dishes.
No Meat Burger Health
B1 64, Sesil-ro, Haeundae-gu (at Rm 135), Busan
This vegan restaurant is open for about 12 hours a day (but you should contact the restaurant beforehand to check its opening hours) so you can get breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner there.
Conclusion
Surviving in Korea as a vegan or vegetarian isn’t impossible, but you’ll certainly have to make some compromises. Hopefully, this guide will help you.
