South Korea is known as the land of KBBQ, and most local cuisines have either meat or seafood dishes. However, the country’s vegan community has been growing in recent years, which means there’s also an increase in vegan food options. Here are 9 vegan food places in Seoul you should visit if you ever get tired of bulgogi and seafood stew.
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By TOFU is a plant-based cafeteria that specialises in tofu vegan dishes. Find tofu in different forms – from baked tofu to smoked tofu and even tofu cream.
Image credit: MEECHI
By TOFU’s signature dish is their Sunrise Bowl (KRW12,000, ~USD8.98), a salad that includes baked tofu, broccoli, quinoa, soya mayo and lime vinegar.
Image credit: 온세뷰
One of the bestselling items at By TOFU is the La Fiesta Vol.2 (KRW14,500, ~USD10.86), which is a Mexican-style taco salad with ingredients including salsa, avocado and black beans.
The restaurant is located at Haebangchon, which is accessible from multiple subway stations including Seoul Station, Sookmyung Women’s University Station and Noksapyeong Station.
Address: 10, Sowol-ro 20-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Thu-Mon 9am-5pm (Closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays)
Contact: 0507-1378-7019 | By TOFU Instagram
Image credit: @march_12th
Chez Valerie is a Canadian restaurant selling vegan western food. Their signature item is the Mom’s Lasagna (KRW16,800, ~USD12.58), layered with vegan tomato sauce, pumpkin, eggplant, carrot and homemade vegan cheese.
Another item that sells like hotcakes is the Champignon Vegan Pizza (KRW14,200, ~USD10.63). Mushrooms take centre stage in this dish as king oyster’s mushroom, shiitake mushroom and button mushroom create a heavenly combination of shroom goodness.
Image credit: 히재
The Candiac Vegan Pizza (KRW14,200, ~USD10.63) is another favourite among the customers. This beautiful dish is topped with pumpkin, eggplant, onion and plant-based meat made from soya beans.
The restaurant is a 10-minute walk from Mangwon Station, and a 15-minute walk from Mangwon Hangang Park.
Address: 52, Poeun-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Fri-Sun 12pm-9pm (Closed on Mondays to Thursdays)
Contact: 02-6013-0269 | Chez Valerie Instagram
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PLANTUDE is opened by Pulmuone, a giant South Korean company that produces plant-based food products. Opened in May 2022, the restaurant sells a variety of cuisines from pasta and curry to Korean stews.
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One of the bestselling items is the Tofu Katsu Vegetable Rice Bowl (KRW12,900, ~USD9.65). It is a hearty meal with a mix of roasted vegetables, rice and tofu katsu.
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Ratatouille Rotelle Pasta (KRW15,500, ~USD11.60), a tomato-based pasta with various roasted vegetables such as zucchini and eggplant, is another best-seller and must-try.
PLANTUDE is conveniently located inside COEX mall, which is easily accessible from Samseong Station.
Address: 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: 11am-9pm, Daily
Contact: 02-551-3933
Image adapted from: @imjinaaa
ROOTED serves all-day brunch items such as sandwiches, salad, and lentil rice dishes.
One interesting item to try is the Watermelon Tuna Summer Salad (KRW12,500, ~USD9.36), which includes roasted watermelon, lentil rice, and salad served with raspberry dressing. The watermelon is marinated and roasted to mimic the texture of raw tuna.
Image credit: @rootedseoul
Their signature menu item is the Roasted Eggplant With Creamy Barley Lentil (KRW14,500, ~USD10.85). The eggplant is soft and creamy, and the lentil rice is fragrant with a nice texture. It also comes with pita bread that complements the ingredients seamlessly.
Image credit: @rootedseoul
Keep a lookout on ROOTED’s Instagram page as it often introduces seasonal food items such as Sweet Corn Ribs (KRW14,500, ~USD10.85) and Veggie Ball Shakshuka (KRW16,500, ~USD12.35).
ROOTED is conveniently located beside Songpanaru Station. It’s a 2-minute walk from the station.
Address: 7, Ogeum-ro 17-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11am-8pm (Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
Contact: 0507-1322-6250 | ROOTED Instagram
Image credit: @bakjeonghwa
Qyun functions as a cafe and a grocery store for vegans to dine and shop for products such as fermented miso paste and homemade vegan cheese.
One of their signature items is the Vegan Butter Curry (KRW16,000, ~USD11.98), which is made of a fermented tomato-based curry served with assorted roasted vegetables.
Image adapted from: yoony
After your meal, don’t forget to try their Dessert Plate (KRW11,000, ~USD8.23). It includes a pie and a scoop of ice cream.
The pie flavours come in berry and plum, while the ice cream flavours include tomato and coconut.
Image credit: SoonTae
Qyun has a fridge just to store fermented vegan pastes such as tomato miso and red bean miso. These items are seasonal, so check out Qyun’s Instagram page before paying a visit. Aside from pastes, they also sell pickled vegetables in jars.
The restaurant is located near Gyeongbokgung Palace. It’s a 15-minute walk from Gyeongbokgung Station.
Address: 17-2, Jahamun-ro 26-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 11am-4pm (Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays)
Contact: 0507-1366-0591 | Oyun Instagram
Image adapted from: @gyeong_dong2, @afatamo_35
La Pause is a bakery specialising in vegan and gluten-free cakes. Must-tries include the classic Chocolate Cake (KRW8,500, ~USD6.36) and Vanilla Strawberry Cake (KRW8,000, ~USD5.99).
Image adapted from: @iwantvegan
One of the bestselling items is the Fig Cake (KRW8,000, ~USD5.99), which is a vegan wheat cake made of fig and a hint of coconut.
Image credit: @ll_re__
If you prefer gluten-free desserts, La Pause has cakes of different flavours such as pumpkin, matcha, and chocolate banana.
The Carrot Cake (KRW8,500, ~USD6.36) is highly recommended for those who love cinnamon.
The restaurant is only a 5-minute walk from Hapjeong Station, and an 8-minute walk from Sangsu Station.
Address: 60, Yanghwa-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 12pm-10pm | Fri & Sat 12pm-11pm | Sun 1pm-10pm
Contact: 0507-1376-0049 | La Pause Instagram
Image credit: @alt.a_official
Unlike most vegan restaurants, ALT.a specialises in plant-based Asian cuisines such as Spicy Noodle Soup, Mapo Tofu and Stir Fried Spicy Eggplant.
One popular dish at ALT.a is the Stir Fried Spicy Eggplant (KRW21,000, ~USD15.69), which is sweet and spicy, and the eggplant is cooked to perfection, striking the perfect balance of soft and creamy.
Image credit: @alt.a_official
ALT.a also serves course meals, so you can try a little of everything at an affordable cost.
There is an 8 Course Meal (KRW50,000, ~USD37.36) and a 9 Course Meal (KRW70,000, ~USD52.26), which includes 2 appetisers, 4 or 5 side dishes, 1 rice or noodle dish, and finally, a plate of dessert.
Top up KRW20,000 (~USD14.92) for a wine or cocktail to pair with your meal.
There are currently 2 ALT.a outlets, one in Itaewon and the other in Dosan Park.
Address: 34-2, Eonju-ro 164-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: 11.30am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 02-540-0815 | ALT.a Instagram
Image credit: goodjin
Ose Gye Hyang is a vegan Korean restaurant selling local dishes such as stews, noodles and plant-based fried chicken made of soya bean meat.
It is popular among foreigners as it allows them to enjoy vegan local cuisines. Better yet, the restaurant is Muslim-friendly.
Try their bestselling Bibimbap Set (KRW10,000, ~USD7.47), which includes a bowl of bibimbap, handmade soft tofu, soya bean paste and assorted side dishes.
Image credit: @chu_vegan
Besides fried chicken, Ose Gye Hyang also sells soya bean meat cutlets and steaks at KRW14,000 (~USD10.45) each.
Ose Gye Hyang is located in Insa-dong, and it’s a 3-minute walk from Anguk Station.
Address: 14-5, Insadong 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Fri-Wed 11.30am-9pm (Closed on Thursdays)
Contact: 02-735-7171
Image credit: @plantbasedfinedining
Opened by the giant food company Nongshim, Forest Kitchen is a contemporary fine dining restaurant that serves vegan course meals.
Despite only opening in the first half of 2022, Forest Kitchen made it to the top 100 restaurants in Seoul in the 2022 Taste of Seoul 100 selections.
Image credit: @mandoo_vegan
The Lunch Course Meal (KRW55,000, ~USD41.05) includes 8 courses and the Dinner Course Meal (KRW77,000, ~USD57.46) consists of 11 courses. Note that the number of courses and menu are subject to changes.
Alcohol pairing is available at KRW45,000 (~USD33.61) for 3 glasses and KRW85,000 (~USD63.49) for 6 glasses.
Forest Kitchen is located inside Lotte World Mall, and it’s easily accessible from Jamsil Station.
Address: 300, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: 11am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 02-3213-4626 | Forest Kitchen Instagram
Getting vegan food in South Korea isn’t as challenging as it may seem. Check out this list of 9 vegan restaurants you can visit for delicious and hearty plant-based meals in Seoul the next time you’re there.
Also check out:
Cover image adapted from: @plantbasedfinedining, 히재, yoony
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