Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Seoul: A Guide for Travelers
Are you vegetarian or vegan and planning a trip to South Korea?
I’m Pilar, a photographer and PhD candidate in Korean Studies. I first moved to South Korea on a scholarship from the Korea Foundation (KF) to study Korean through a language program, and ended up living there for a year and a half. Although I’m no longer based in Korea, my time there gave me a deep appreciation for the country, its culture, and everyday life, which I’m excited to share through my writing and photography.
If you’re traveling to Seoul and wondering whether you’ll be able to find good vegetarian or vegan food, don’t worry; you have more options than you might expect.
Until a few years ago, finding vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Seoul could be a real challenge. In a country where meat has traditionally played an important role in the cuisine, travelers looking for plant-based options often had limited choices.
Thankfully, that’s changing. As vegetarian and vegan food has become increasingly popular, particularly among international visitors, Seoul has seen a growing number of restaurants offering delicious plant-based options.
Here are some of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Seoul that I recommend checking out during your trip.
Plant Café Seoul
The owner, a Korean with a very international background, started with a blog when she adopted a plant-based lifestyle. Eventually, that blog became a small restaurant in the Itaewon neighborhood.
Over the years, the place became too small because of its popularity, so it was expanded. Now, they not only have the Itaewon branch, but also a Yeonnam branch and a bakery café.
Their menu includes hamburgers, pasta, rice bowls, salad bowls, and wraps.
It’s one of the hottest places for plant-based food in Seoul right now, so you can’t miss it.
Osegye Hyang
Osegye Hyang is a vegan restaurant with a Korean style. They offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
You’ll find Korean and Chinese-inspired dishes such as bibimbap, black bean noodles, sesame noodles, vegetarian BBQ, and vegan fried chicken, among others.
The restaurant is located in Insadong, close to Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Village, making it a convenient option if you are already exploring some of Seoul’s most popular tourist areas.
LovingHut
LovingHut has several branches throughout South Korea, including locations in Seoul, Jinju, and Jeju Island.
They offer vegan food, cakes and cookies, bread, ice cream, and organic coffee.
It was created as an international chain, and that shows in the menu. From Korean food to pasta, udon, salads, and drinks, there are plenty of options to choose from.
More Vegetarian and Vegan Food in Seoul
Lately, around neighborhoods such as Hongdae, Itaewon, Insadong, and Gangnam, you can find more options for vegetarian and vegan food.
So don’t forget to check those areas when planning your trip to Seoul.
Luckily, Korean food also has many vegetable-based dishes, and some dishes traditionally don’t contain meat. Check the menus carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask the staff about ingredients. You can also carry a card with Korean phrases explaining your dietary restrictions, especially if you have allergies or intolerances.
Try Buddhist Temple Food in South Korea
One of the options, besides restaurants, is visiting Buddhist temples that offer stays or have their own cafés or restaurants.
Korean Buddhist temple food traditionally follows a plant-based diet and focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients. People who have tried it often describe the food as clean, healthy, and gentle on the stomach.
If you are interested in experiencing something beyond a typical restaurant meal, trying Korean temple food can be a great way to experience another part of Korean culture while traveling.
What About Gluten-Free Food in South Korea?
For gluten-free travelers, finding dedicated gluten-free restaurants can be more difficult. Gluten-free eating is not as common a dietary restriction in Korea as it is in some other countries.
However, there are dishes you can order because their traditional recipes don’t contain gluten.
Some options include bibimbap, traditional rice soups, and fermented vegetables. You do need to be careful with sauces, particularly soy sauce, as it may contain wheat.
Korean BBQ is also very popular, but if you are gluten-free, pay close attention to the sauces and marinades used with the meat.
The biggest recommendation, no matter what your dietary restriction is, is to bring some sentences written in Korean, or even icons or drawings, specifying what you can and cannot eat. This can make communicating with restaurant staff much easier.
Enjoy Vegetarian and Vegan Food in South Korea
South Korea has transformed itself in the last few years, and finding vegetarian and vegan food is becoming much easier, particularly in Seoul.
So don’t hesitate to ask questions, explore different neighborhoods, and try something new.
With a little preparation, you can enjoy your time in South Korea without worrying about finding food that works for you.
