If you’re traveling and have been having sleepless nights worrying about food, take note: Veganism is good for your health and can reduce the risk of complications such as obesity and diabetes! Let’s take a look at the concept of veganism, the different types of veganism, and recommended vegan restaurants in Seoul.
1. Get to know Vegan properly
When we talk about people who don’t eat meat, we call them vegetarians, which is often used interchangeably with vegans in our country, but technically they’re one of several different types of people who practice vegetarianism.
There are several other types of vegetarian, including lacto ovo, pesco, and pollo, and vegan is one of the strictest. To respect the rights and welfare of animals, and to improve the environment and our health, we avoid all animal products such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy, and honey, and eat only plant-based foods such as grains, beans, nuts, vegetables, and fruits.
2. Types and stages of vegetarianism
There are many different types of vegetarian diets, each with their own values and health concerns. Below is a categorization of diets.
- Fruitarian: The most extreme form of vegetarianism, eating only fruits and grains.
- Vegan: people who eat only fruits, grains, and plant-based foods, excluding all animal products.
- Lacto: people who consume dairy products, but not meat, fish, or eggs.
- Ovo (ovo): People who eat eggs, but not meat, fish, or dairy.
- Lacto ovo: people who eat dairy and eggs, but not meat and fish.
- PESCO: People who eat seafood but not meat.
- Pollo: people who consume milk, eggs, chicken, duck, and other bird meat.
- Flexitarian: People who eat mostly plant-based foods, but occasionally eat meat or seafood, depending on the occasion.
3. Where to go: 15 of our favorite vegan restaurants
Are you a vegan? If you’re traveling to South Korea and can’t find the right vegan restaurants in Seoul, check out these 15 recommendations. We’ve compiled a list of the 15 best vegan restaurants in Seoul.
1) Flavors and moods <FOODS DOSE MATTER>
- Address : 1F, 10 Seorae-ro 1-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
- Business Hours : 11:30 ~ 21:30 (Closed every Mon and Tue)
- Break time : 15:30 ~ 17:00
FOODS DOSE MATTER is a great place to visit when you’re craving salads, burgers, pasta, and more. This is a vegan restaurant located in Seorae Village with the phrase ‘NO MILK, NO EGG, NO BUTTER’ written in large letters in front of the cash register. The restaurant is more spacious than you think, with a variety of space configurations and a luxurious atmosphere, making it a great place for gatherings and dates.
You can enjoy dishes such as burgers with FDM patties and pasta with nut pesto with natural wine, and since everything is vegan, you can enjoy a relaxing meal without having to check the ingredients.
2) A plate of clean, vegetable-oriented Korean food, <Base is Nice>
- Address : 20, Dohwa 2-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
- Business Hours : 11:00 ~ 15:00 (Closed every Monday)
VEGAN RESTAURANTS CAN BE IN THE PRESTIGIOUS GUIDEBOOK! A restaurant that pursues healthy veganism, Base is Nice was created by an F&B planner who planned a restaurant in New York, where you can enjoy Korean food with vegetable-centered side dishes. It’s a one-man operation, with no other staff, and only one reservation is taken every 30 minutes, so it can be difficult to get a table, but it’s also very special.
From preparing the ingredients to running the restaurant to cooking, Base is nice does it all by himself, which is why he was named in the renowned guide. The rice bowl-style menu, soups, and side dishes are made with vegetables, and the flavors are clean and refreshing! If you want to try Korean food but are worried about the meat in the colorful side dishes, why not give this place a try?
3) Vegan fine dining, <Mahina Vegan Table>
- Address : 2F, 75, Nonhyeon-ro 175-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
- Business Hours : 11:30 ~ 22:00 (Closed every Monday)
- Break time : 16:00 ~ 17:00
Mahina Vegan Table has a reputation as one of the best vegan restaurants in Seoul, where even non-vegans can have a good time eating delicious food. As you would expect from a vegan prix fixe restaurant, the menu matches the modern interior.
Foods like risotto and pizza, as well as drinks like cafe lattes and lemonade. The food is made with 0% animal cholesterol, so you can feel good about being vegan. The Mahina Vegan Table also offers “vegan wine,” which is produced by a 300-year-old French farm and tastes amazing.
4) Famous among the famous, <A flower blossom on the rice>
- Address : 3-6, Insadong 16-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Business Hours : 11:30 ~ 21:00
- Break time : 15:00 ~ 17:30
In Insadong, A flower blossom on the rice is a famous vegan restaurant that is not unknown among those who are vegan. The restaurant serves healthy vegan Korean food using organic ingredients and eco-friendly vegetables, and as it is listed in the prestigious guidebook, the food is guaranteed to be delicious and the plating is a work of art.
The signature dish is the Bojagi Bibimbap, made with brown rice, garnishes, traditional gochujang, unsalted seaweed, and organic flowers. This traditional Korean dish is available as a vegan option, and the ingredients are seasonal and fresh. Healthy food in a cozy hanok-like restaurant in the middle of Insadong is a must if you’re visiting Insadong, a must-see tourist destination.
5) Experience Buddhist temple food here!<Doosoogobang>
- Address : 3F, Alleyway Gwanggyo Around Life, 80, Gwanggyohosupark-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
- Business Hours : 11:30 ~ 20:00 (Closed every Tuesday and Wednesday)
- Break time : 15:00 ~ 17:00
There is a place where you can experience and eat at the same time. It’s called Doosoogobang in Suwon, and unlike other vegan restaurants, it’s a place where you can experience Buddhist temple food. Temple food refers to food prepared with ingredients that were once allowed for monks in Buddhism, and it stands out because you can have a quiet meal in a comfortable and cozy atmosphere, as if you were on a temple stay.
At Dusugobang, you can enjoy food prepared using seasonal ingredients and traditional fermented ingredients based on the food philosophy of the monk Jeong Kwan. The VEGAN menu is a one-table dining experience where you can enjoy 9 courses of food prepared with ingredients grown on our land.
6) Eat healthy with local ingredients! <Local EAT>
- Address : 2F, 33 Hallimmal-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Business Hours : 11:00 ~ 21:00
- Weekday break time : 15:00 ~ 17:00
Local EAT is an Italian restaurant near Oksu Station that’s a great place to go with a non-vegan friend. They have vegan and non-vegan options on every menu, so your non-vegan significant other or coworkers will be able to enjoy the food. With flavors like zucchini cannelloni, spinach gnocchi, and more, you’re sure to leave with a smile on your face. It’s also fun to try the daily specials, which are slightly different every day.
7) Vegetarian for Beginners <MONK’S Butcher>
- Address : 3F, 4F, 228-1 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Business Hours : 17:00 ~ 22:30 (Fri-Sun 11:00 ~ 22:30)
- Break time : 15:00 ~ 17:00
An atmospheric vegan restaurant with a rooftop terrace, Hannam-dong’s Monk’s Butcher is known as a hotspot in the foodie neighborhood of Hannam-dong. Among the extensive vegan menu, the Fried Lion’s Mane Mushroom is a must-try. It’s made with roe deer antler mushrooms, and you can taste the flavor of the beef in the mushrooms. Note that reservations are required for the rooftop seats!
8) If you like sour flavors, <FERMENTS>
- Address : 1F, 22, Hangangdae-ro 7-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Business Hours : 12:00 ~ 23:00 (Fri, Sat until 24:00)
As the name suggests, FERMENTS is a vegan restaurant in Seoul that specializes in fermentation. As such, the food is characterized by a sour flavor throughout! You can find dishes such as fermented mushroom pasta, vegan karaage, and other dishes that utilize fermented ingredients, but the kombucha is a must-try at Ferments. Their organic, handmade, naturally fermented peppery kombucha is so popular that they even sell it online.
9) Healthy foods <wholesome>
- Address : 1F, 19 Yangjacheon-ro 19-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Business hours : 11:00 ~ 17:00 (Closed on Sun, Mon, Tue)
This vegan restaurant in Yangjae is a place that serves healthy food with locally sourced seasonal ingredients. It’s not just the food that’s vegan, it’s the earth-friendly decor that makes the restaurant stand out. Their menu changes with the seasons, and they also feature baked goods like vegan tarts. Visit Whole Thumb to experience a variety of vegan dishes made with farm-to-table ingredients.
10) Go here for low-carb, high-protein! <SUN THE BUD>
- Address : 18, Apgujeong-ro 60-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Business Hours : 11:00 ~ 21:00
SUN THE BUD Cheongdam is a brunch cafe specializing in salads, offering a balanced, healthy diet and a differentiated menu. Their signature dishes include the Tashima Aged Salmon Rice Bowl, which has a soft and chewy texture, and the Clean Cobb Salad, which is filled with chicken breast, avocado, and other hearty ingredients. If you’re looking for a low-carb, high-protein vegan meal that’s both healthy and delicious, visit SUN THE BUD Cheongdam!
11) Vegan course meals in hip places, <jumjumjumjumjumjum>
- Address : 1F, 36, Seongam-ro 15-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Business Hours : Wed, Thu 11:30 ~ 16:00 / Fri, Sat, Sun 11:30 ~ 22:00 (Closed Mon, Tue)
- Break time 16:00 ~ 17:00
A restaurant opened with the keywords environment and veganism, Jumjumjumjumjum is a vegan restaurant located in Sangam-dong. Run by model Park Seo-hee, it is a space that plans and presents vegetarian food, zero waste, and exhibitions. Here you can eat vegan food such as purple sweet potato chips, tofu crumbled cabbage pancake, red pepper puree rice, and mushroom pickled noodles at a reasonable price. It’s a great place to visit when you want to feel the real flavor of the food.
12) Vegan fine-dining <Forest Kitchen>
- Address : Lotte World Mall 6F, 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Business Hours : 12:00 ~ 22:00
- Break time : 15:00 ~ 17:00
Forest Kitchen is a vegan fine dining restaurant located inside Lotte World Mall in Jamsil. The interior is decorated with natural colors and materials and is often referred to as an atmospheric restaurant. Forest Kitchen offers a menu with a lunch course for 77,000 won and a dinner course for 99,000 won. From appetizers to soups, main dishes, and desserts, the menu offers a variety of wine and kombucha pairings that are not to be missed! Why not go shopping and enjoy luxurious vegan food?
13) Best Vegan Restaurants in Itaewon, <LAZY FARMERS>
- Address : Lazy Farmers, 5 A-dong, Hoenamae-ro 35-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Business Hours : 11:30 ~ 21:30
- Break time : 15:00 ~ 17:00 (No break on Saturdays)
Lazy Farmers is a vegan restaurant located on Gyeongridan-gil in Itaewon. It is decorated with a unique concept of the botany department of Namsan University, giving it a unique atmosphere. This is a place where you can enjoy delicious vegan food that doesn’t just recreate the taste of meat, but uses the characteristics of ingredients obtained from nature! All the menu items, including cream pasta, paella, and mushroom steak, are rich in flavor and texture despite not using any animal ingredients.
14) Exotic vegan foods in Yeongdo, <ARP>
- Address : 1F, 35, Taejong-ro 99beon-gil, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
- Business Hours : 11:30 ~ 20:00 (Closed on Thursdays)
Bracken pasta, vegan black burger, and sweet chestnut croquettes… How different a vegan menu can be! We introduce Arp, a vegan restaurant in Yeongdo, Busan. This restaurant has a different way of taking QR codes on the menu. Enjoy the unique menu in a stylish interior! The signature rice sake is also a must-try. Reservations are prioritized, so be sure to make a reservation with the CatchTable app before visiting.
15) Seasonal food for intimate meals, <Obuthan>
- Address : 102, 1F, 42 Donggwang-gil, Jung-gu, Busan, 40 stairs down, opposite Gosimjeongsa Temple
- Business Hours : Tue, Wed 11:00 ~ 14:00 / Thu-Sat 11:00 ~ 21:00 (Closed Mon, Tue)
- Break time : 14:00 ~ 18:00
The last restaurant we’ll introduce is Obuthan, a Korean restaurant specializing in vegan food located in Busan. The restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, including tokbap bansang, seasonal namulbap bansang, gnocchi, and pasta. In particular, the tokbap is made with Wando’s natural dry tofu and oats, and has a chewy and soft flavor. The side dishes, such as vegan kimchi and roasted red seaweed, are made with organic ingredients and no animal products! Enjoy a clean vegan Korean meal in a restaurant bathed in natural light.
Today, we’ve covered the definition of veganism, types of veganism, and even vegan restaurants in Seoul. Veganism is not a problem in Korea, and there are so many different restaurants that you won’t have to worry about food issues! We wish you all a successful trip with delicious vegan food, Cheers!