Top Vegetarian Restaurants in South Korea

Written by: Devyani Segan, Delhi

Edited by: Pooja Vishwanathan, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh

Indulge in the best vegetarian dishes and explore the chef d’oeuvre of South Korea through these marvellous restaurants.

South Korea is a paradise for people who love and breathe spicy Asian food. The craze for authentic Korean food and traditional dishes has increased massively. However, what prevents many Indians from exploring the delicious delicacies of Korea is the difference between the cultures of both nations. Many of these dishes use meat and seafood as their base. For example, anchovies are used to make broths for stews and noodle soups. 

Is South Korea good for vegetarians?

Fortunately, the West has witnessed many “vegan and vegetarian” movements that have influenced Asian countries like Thailand and China. Traditionally, Koreans ate a lot of vegetarian dishes and had plenty of plant-based items on the menu. Today, we are exploring the best vegetarian restaurants in South Korea that you must visit even if you are on a strict diet.

Oh Se Gae Hyang

One of the most popular vegan restaurants located in the Insadong district of Seoul is Oh Sae Gyae Hyang. It is a must-visit for Korean food lovers and contrary to popular belief, most of the food served here is properly cooked. The restaurant has been serving vegan dishes for years and has many varieties on the menu for which exceptional chefs have been employed. The eatery has a traditional Korean vibe and allows seating on the floor. The atmosphere is comfortable and cosy. Some of the top recommendations include vegan bulgogi, soft tofu stew, and fried vegetable dumplings. If you have a knack for spicy food, we recommend cold noodles and tteokbokki. The menu is also available in English, as it is convenient for tourists who need more understanding when it comes to the Korean language. 

Plant Cafe Seoul

Here comes the second option on the list, which is yet another healthy and fulfilling alternative. It is popularly known as Plant Cafe Seoul and is one of the best eateries in Itaewon because it serves dishes made with natural and fresh ingredients. The eatery has a clean and bright interior, perfect for gram lovers. They also have a menu written on a blackboard. It is also pet-friendly and is usually full in the summer season. The place is a delight for fitness freaks.

We recommend a mushroom burger, a falafel salad bowl, cheese fries, and a mango smoothie. Their best-sellers are lemon pound cake and vanilla berry cake. The portions are huge, so be mindful while ordering.

Loving Hut

Loving Hut is another restaurant that aims to promote a healthy lifestyle that excludes animal products. They offer mouth-watering versions of iconic Korean dishes like bibimbap, fried chicken, kimchi rice, jjigae, jjajangmyeon, and red rice cakes. The highlight of the menu is their vegan lunch boxes and smoothies. The best part is that they have locations all over South Korea. 

Vegan Kitchen

The most fascinating aspect of Korean culture is their acceptance. They wholeheartedly welcome people of all religions and backgrounds and try their best to make them feel comfortable. If you are on the hunt for vegan, vegetarian, and halal food items, then this is it. Vegan Kitchen is located in Toegye, Seoul, near Namsan Tower. It is a little expensive but it is worth the visit. They also have robot services for easy functioning of the eatery and also for some entertainment.

We recommend fried chicken, japchae, and the poke bowl. If you are full, you can also visit the Myeongdong market for a shopping spree.

Vegetus

Vegetus is a vegan restaurant that serves gluten-free dishes. It is a cozy little diner located in Yongsan-gu. Their expertise is Italian food and they constantly experiment by clubbing the two cuisines together. We recommend Mexican chilli sauce salad and carrot cake. The stars of the menu are the jalapeno burger and bulgogi panini. They are even open on weekends.

Alt.a

If you are desperately craving some Asian food, then ALT.a should be your destination. ALT.a offers contemporary Asian cuisine with a wide variety of nonalcoholic drinks and vegan wines. The best part of all is that they have more than a hundred items on their menu. Every single one is completely plant-based. Their best-sellers are mapo tofu, tuna salad, and stir-fried aubergine on bread. The eatery is pocket-friendly and accommodates almost all flavours of Korean cuisine. 

As tourists, it can be overwhelming to find safe, healthy, and vegan options in a country that is the largest exporter of seafood in the world. After the influx of Korean Mukbang (an online eating show wherein the participants eat and sometimes prepare their native dishes), people have articulated some general stereotypes regarding the nation. However, there are an ample number of restaurants and eateries in South Korea that offer a wide variety of vegetarian options. Buddhism is one of the most popular religions in the country, thereby making it easier to access vegan and permissible food items. If you visit any of these places, please tag us on your social media. Happy, cruelty-free eating! 

Tell us in the comments below your favourite choice and which one of these places you would pay a visit to first and tick off your impending itinerary.