25 of the Best Spots for Vegetarian Food in Seoul, South Korea
Seoul might not be the most vegetarian-friendly city but I’ve created this guide with 25 of the best spots for vegetarian food in Seoul, and included some information about South Korean cuisine at large.
Seoul is a carnivore’s dream destination but, while fish markets and Korean BBQ fill every street in the city, there are a number of vegetarian (and even vegan) options for hungry travelers. I scoured Seoul during our 14 days in the city to find the most scrumptious vegetarian food spots and have compiled them all into this extensive guide! From Indian curries to soy meat alternatives and crispy cauliflower tacos—this guide with 25 of the best vegetarian restaurants in Seoul is here to help make eating in the city easier for all my fellow veggies!
helpful dining tips for south korea ↴
Before we get into the best vegetarian places to eat in Seoul, I thought I’d share a bit about the general food culture in South Korea. It’s especially important to read this section if you are planning on eating with Seoul locals or having a traditional South Korean meal so that you are aware of cultural etiquette.
Places open late. I know I’m a morning person, but you should not expect any restaurant to open before noon. Even cafés serving “brunch” rarely opened before 11 AM. We had to strategically plan our days around the hours of operation for every restaurant on our foodie bucket list. Luckily, markets open early and are a great way to experience the local cuisine at a fraction of the cost without waiting until midday to eat.
A key for South Korean cutlery: chopsticks are for dishes, and spoons are for soups and rice. Also, chopsticks are not to be used as a skewer. Poking your food with your chopsticks can be seen as rude.
If you are vegan, please note that Koreans commonly use anchovy broth and fish sauce as the base for their soup dishes.
Meals start with soup! Traditional South Korean meals start with a soup or stew that is intended to warm your belly and tongue in preparation for the many dishes to come.
Korean meals are typically meant to be shared, so make sure not to hoard the food if you’re with a group.
While some Asian cultures like slurping their food as a sign of enjoyment, South Koreans prefer to eat slowly and quietly. The idea is that by eating calmly and slowly, you are actually able to enjoy each bit to its fullest!
vegetarian korean foods to try ↴
South Korean food is inherently meat-orientated. Thus, most of the must-try local cuisine is made with meat as the centerpiece. The local foods listed below are Korean classics that you might be able to find vegetarian alternatives for if you’re lucky, but this list is intended to give you an idea of what you may be seeing on menus at restaurants around Seoul.
CHIMAEK | A popular dish that refers to the duo of Korean fried chicken and beer. Fried chicken became incredibly popular in Korea in the late 20th century. Since then, it has been a staple of the South Korean diet. The secret to what makes South Korean fried chicken so good? It’s double-fried, making it ultra crispy.
BIBIMBAP| A crispy rice bowl with fried egg, vegetables, and seaweed.
VEGETABLE MANDU (DUMPLINGS) | Similar to potstickers or dumplings, you can find mandu filled with assorted vegetables or meat, so make sure to ask before ordering.
KIMCHI | A staple of the South Korean diet consisting of cabbage, radishes, onion, carrots, garlic, ginger, chili flakes, amongst other fermented vegetables and flavors.
MUNG BEAN PANCAKES| Mung bean pancakes are made with ground mung beans, rice flour, and vegetables. They’re also typically gluten-free. However, some vendors add meat to their mung bean pancakes, and I recommend you check before you consume to be safe.
GANJANG GEJANG | Considered to be the ultimate South Korean food, this traditional dish is made of raw crab that has been marinated in soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and red chili paste.
CHUEOTANG | Soup made from a freshwater mudfish that is boiled and mixed with fried tofu, rice, noodles, and mushrooms before being topped with ground black pepper.
GIMBAP | Korean “sushi”, traditionally made with veggies.
BINGSU | A shaved ice dessert topped with ingredients like chopped fruit, chocolate, and red bean filling.
HOTTEOK | This filled-pancake-like dessert is a classic South Korean treat served hot at street food stalls in the winter months. This is vegetarian-friendly and quickly became a favorite sweet of mine while visiting in the November cold.
best vegetarian food in seoul ↴
Sprout
I’m starting this list with Sprout, even though I know it’s not a restaurant, and thus it’s a bonus addition. Sprout is a delivery service that brings hot 100% vegan meals directly to your house/accommodation. The meals rotate weekly, but you can expect menu items like butternut squash lasagna, sloppy joes, enchiladas, and “beef” stew with roasted potatoes. You can follow their Instagram account for the most up-to-date meals and place your order. Sprout came in clutch when we had late nights working and didn’t have the time (or energy) to dash out for food.
Crispy Fresh 크리스피프레시
Crispy Fresh is a salad chain with veggie and vegan menu offerings. Crispy Fresh boasts pesticide-free produce and serves a free Americano coffee with the purchase of every salad. It’s a great option for a quick, healthy lunch with locations across the city. The tofu hummus bowl will leave you feeling fully satiated.
📍19-3 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu
Pan Honesta
Pan Honesta is another Itaewon treasure. It’s a fully vegan bakery that serves up heaping portions of sweet treats, including the South Korean classic bingsu! The all-white bakery interior might make the place seem a bit sterile, but the delicious muffins, rice cakes, and tiramisu will have you feeling right at home. All the baked goods here are worth a try, but it’s the aforementioned bingsu that is the star of the show.
TIP: Pan Honesta is located behind Plant (another restaurant on this list) so stop for dinner at Plant and then pop into Pan Honesta for dessert!
📍180-16 Itaewon 1(il)-dong, Yongsan-gu
Osegye Hyang
This fully vegan restaurant in Insadong is perfect for those plant-based travellers looking to try the local South Korean cuisine. Osegye Hyang offers South Korean classics in a traditional atmosphere where patrons sit on floor cushions. This custom of sitting on the floor to eat comes from a belief that sitting on the floor leads to a calm and peaceful state of mind and encourages a more communal feel to the meal.
📍14-5 Insadong 12-gil, Jongno-gu
Breaghetti
Breaghetti isn’t my top recommendation for those seeking truly delicious vegan food, especially in Itaewon, but if you are in a hurry and looking for classic western comfort foods like cheesy pasta or a plant-based burger— this is a decent option.
📍Bogwang-ro 124, Second Floor, Yongsan-gu
Pooja Indian Nepali Restaurant
Pooja, located right across the street from Dongdaemun Design Plaza, is a family-run restaurant serving Indian and Nepali food at an affordable price point in heaping portions. The restaurant itself is quite small, with limited seating in a single narrow room. Indian music videos play on multiple television screens while spicy smells from the open kitchen waft. The daal makhani is a total winner in my book and Pooja’s is a must for anyone who loves a late night curry feast.
📍13 Eulji-ro 43-gil, Jung-gu
Paper Plate
Paper Plate has a very cool New York City vibe that doesn’t feel gimmicky at all. It consists of 90s hip-hop on the stereo, limited seating, and truly delicious pizza. This tiny hole-in-the-wall eatery is where you’ll find authentic New York-style pizza served by the slice.
📍2층, 19 Itaewon-ro 26-gil - 서울 용산구 이태원로26길 19 2층 (at 130-10 2f)
Sunny Bowl
We stumbled upon Sunny Bowl on a hangry mission to find food, and I’m so glad that we did. While it might not be the most aesthetic spot, it serves up homemade vegetarian and vegan stews, soups, curries, and South Korean classics. There are also menu offerings that are a little less traditional, like pumpkin soup.
📍Sungmun 16-gil, 18 KR 서울특별시 마포구 염리동 9-6 1층
Vegetus
Vegetus is a cosy little restaurant that serves upscale pasta, burgers, and paninis. The vegan food at Vegetus is delicious, and it also has a wealth of gluten-free options. Vegan versions of garlic alfredo spaghetti, bulgogi panini, and caprese salad are sure to delight your tastebuds, but the jalapeno burger is the real star of the menu.
📍9 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu
byTofu
Taco bowls, salads, and tempeh sandwiches are just a few of the fully vegan menu options available at ByTofu.
TIP: The restaurant releases new menu offerings via its Instagram account, so following them is the best way to stay up to date.
📍10 Sowol-ro 20-gil, Yongsan-gu
Vegan + Beyond
Vegan + Beyond is so much more than a restaurant. It’s a bakery, grocery store, café, and community space that serves vegan versions of international cuisine. From sheperd’s pie to “beef” bourguignon, Vegan and Beyond has a wide variety of plant-based food to pick from!
TIP: If you plan your visit to Vegan + Beyond right, you’ll be able to take part in one of their many community events!
📍132-51 Yeonhuidong 2nd, Floor, Seodaemun-gu
Nammi
Nammi boasts some of the very best vegan pizza in Seoul! They’ve recently launched a new menu that includes a delicious curry calzone and a beautiful olive pesto pasta. Like a lot of the vegan restaurants around, Nammi has a widely varying menu that can be off-putting to some, but everything I ate there was good value for money and fully plant-based.
📍 2층 455-20, Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu
Root
Root has nailed a menu of vegetarian soups, and salads. While the café’s vibe is a bit…lacking…the flavourful food makes up for the bland interiors. I highly recommend Root’s vegetarian sushi— it’s a fan favourite!
📍26-4 Itaewon-ro 55ga-gil, Yongsan-gu
Around Green
Around Green is fully vegan and offers guests a variety of food options from french toast to pizzas and traditional rice dishes. However, its downfall is that it has extremely limited opening hours. We had to try three times before we actually got to eat here. I’m not sure if that was because it was winter (off-peak) season, but perhaps you’ll have better timing than we did. Regardless, Around Green is definitely ticks the boxes of a hearty vegan meal.
📍2nd floor, 44-1, Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu
Alt.a
Alt.a is a totally plant-based café with two locations in Seoul (Dosan Park and Itaewon). Alt.a is certified by the Korea Vegan Society, so you know it’s legitimate. The menu offers South Korean and Chinese dishes, alongside a range of vegan wines and non-alcoholic drinks. Alt.a is also a brand of vegan alternative “meat” in South Korea, so many of the dishes feature Alt.a “meat” as one of the ingredients. I think we ordered “wrong”, because Luke and I each If the delicious and filling food doesn’t do it for you, perhaps the cosy interior will. Alt.a is as stylish as its menu is scrumptious.
📍109 Bogwang-ro, Yongsan-gu
Plant
Plant’s mission is to make the plant-based lifestyle easier to adopt in Korea by providing delicious, accessible vegan food, and it was easily my favourite vegan restaurant in Seoul. There are two locations: Hongdae and Itaewon (Itaewon being my favourite). Both locations are pinned on the below map, and both offer an amazing variety of food, though the menus do vary slightly. The new cauliflower tacos at the Itaewon location still taunt me in my dreams as some of the best vegan tacos I’ve ever had outside of Mexico. The avocado burger and lentil bowls are also high on my list of recommendations.
📍2 floor, 117 Bogwang-ro, Yongsan-gu
Everest Nepali Restaurant
Everest is the self-proclaimed first Nepali restaurant in Seoul, but it has apparently become a multiple-location family-owned chain. We ate at the 동대문점 Dongdaemun Station Store location and loved everything from the dining atmosphere to the gigantic portions (the naan bread was the biggest I’ve ever seen in my life). Everest’s menu is English-language friendly and offers a lot of vegetarian curry options. One of the coolest bits was that you could order and pay for your meal via a tablet on your table.
📍2-1 Jong-ro 51ga-gil, Jongno-gu
Loving Hut
Loving Hut is a chain restaurant that aims to promote eating healthfully and in a way that eliminates animal cruelty— a mission I can definitely get behind. On the menu are seriously mouthwatering veggie-friendly versions of classic Korean dishes. The vegan lunchbox I had featured all kinds of lovely veggie food, but I genuinely have no idea what any of it was.
TIP: Loving Hut has locations across South Korea, so if you aren’t in Seoul there may be a location near you to try!
Drunken Vegan
Vegan lasagna, buffalo cauliflower bites, and vegan fish and chips are just a few of the many plant-based dishes you can expect at the Drunken Vegan. The Drunken Vegan is also highly affordable, with prices starting at around USD $14 for main dishes.
📍13 Wausan-ro 30-gil, Changjeon-dong, Mapo-gu
London Bagel Museum
Neither a museum nor located in London, this quirky café was possibly the last place we expected to eat in Seoul. However, due to its early opening time and its location near our accommodation, we made a morning of waiting in the extraordinarily long line of breakfast seekers. There were no vegan options that I saw, but there were plenty of vegetarian goodies. The coffee was a bit “meh”, but the unique decorations combined with the hearty bagels make it a fun spot to kickstart your day.
TIP: You can grab breakfast at London Bagel Museum and walk to Gyeongbokgung Palace before all the crowds
📍385-6, Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu
Aseungji 아승지
This small vegan restaurant is run by a Buddhist nun who serves temple-style food. The dining hours are set, as is the menu. You’ll want to make a reservation ahead of time if you are visiting during the summer months. It’s a bit spendy at nearly USD $30 per person, but it’s all homemade.
FUN FACT: Interestingly, all the food is made without garlic or onion, because many traditional Buddhists believe that onion and garlic cause gas which disrupts a person’s ability to concentrate on meditation.
📍176 Singil-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu
Monk’s Butcher (+ Deli)
Monk’s Butcher is another 100% vegan restaurant in Itaewon offering creative food in an intimate atmosphere. The sister establishment, Monk’s Deli, is a great option for lunch on the go or quick bites like sourdough sandwiches, soups, and burgers.
📍228-1 Itaewon-ro, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu
La Ferme
While not a totally vegetarian restaurant, the variety of veggie options and chic minimal interiors at La Ferme make it a fantastic addition to this list. La Ferme isn’t just a food spot— it’s a great little wine bar that’s perfect for a sophisticated evening out.
📍Yongsan-gu, Hannam-dong, Daesagwan-ro 11-gil, 49 지하 1층
Summer Lane
Summer Lane offers western brunch served in a stunning setting. This spot isn’t specifically vegetarian, but there are plenty of veggie options available. Summer Lane is inspired by the café culture that thrives in Australia, and it definitely hits the mark. It’s also another spot on this list that opens early for coffee and breakfast!
📍43 Haenamu-ro 26-gil, Yongsan-gu
Soiroum
Soiroum is an unsuspecting vegan café hidden down the winding streets of the Jongno-gu neighbourhood in Seoul. We wandered inside on a particularly cold day and the smell of hot food and the ease of an English-language menu had us eager to take a seat and order. I ordered tempeh stir fry with sesame seeds and vegetables that came with a small side salad. The food is made fresh to order, so service can take a tiny bit longer than at other restaurants in Seoul.
📍41 Pirundae-ro, Jongno-gu
map ↴
Find all the best vegetarian food in Seoul, South Korea on the map below.
