Whenever you’re selecting a trip vacation spot, there are most likely just a few belongings you’re aiming to verify off your checklist. And it’d go one thing like this: gorgeous surroundings, vibrant nightlife, wealthy tradition, and interesting historical past. However indisputably, for many vegan vacationers, scrumptious meals is among the most essential trip must-haves. And South Korea has it in spades—in addition to the surroundings, nightlife, tradition, historical past, and … properly, you get the image, it has all of it.
Whenever you consider Korean meals, kimchi might be one of many first issues to return to thoughts. The spicy, pickled cabbage is fashionable all around the world and has turn into an emblem of the Asian nation’s delicacies. When made with out fish paste, kimchi may be veganized, which, regardless of the excessive charges of meat consumption within the nation, is definitely removed from uncommon for a conventional South Korean dish. Meat consumption didn’t begin to surge till after the Korean Warfare, which implies that many of the nation’s dishes have vegetarian roots. And in lots of Buddhist temples, you’ll discover that plant-based delicacies continues to be the norm amongst monks and nuns (extra on that later).
However South Korea’s fashionable vegan scene is surging—significantly within the capital of Seoul. In truth, Glad Cow truly has greater than 750 listings of vegan-friendly eating places on this one metropolis alone because of the demand by the nation’s younger individuals. In keeping with a survey performed in 2022, South Koreans aged 18 to 29 are the group most certainly to buy vegan meals merchandise. And the Korean Vegetarian Union says about half 1,000,000 South Koreans establish as vegan, whereas 1.5 million are vegetarian or flexitarian.
To get an thought of simply how a lot plant-based delicacies is evolving, we spoke to a number of vegan journey consultants (all of whom have frolicked in South Korea) to get their suggestions for meat-free eating places in Seoul, in addition to their ideas for locating the tastiest Korean avenue meals. A warning for you and your financial institution steadiness: you’re going to wish to guide a flight instantly.
Maji, one in all many vegan-friendly eateries in Seoul, serves temple meals. | Korea Tourism Group
Sorts of Korean meals
Korean barbecue is a staple of the restaurant scene in most main US cities. In truth, some experiences recommend there are greater than 7,000 Korean barbecue eating places throughout the nation. However whereas barbecue is among the nation’s most-loved exports, there may be much more to South Korea than grilled meat.
When visiting, you’re certain to return throughout rice-based dishes such because the spicy, flavor-packed bibimbap. At its core, the dish is plant-based, though eggs and meat are sometimes added (merely ask for it with out). Like many fashionable dishes, bibimbap is made with assorted greens, together with mung bean sprouts, spinach, and Korean radish, in addition to namul (which refers to edible grasses or leafy greens) and a savory, candy paste with a kick referred to as gochujang.
There are additionally noodle dishes, like japchae, which options candy potato glass noodles and may be veganized simply (simply ask for no meat), mul naengmyeon (which is a seasonal noodle dish that’s vegan when made with radish water and no beef), and jjajangmyeon. The latter contains a thick black bean sauce, greens, and pork, however you can too discover vegan variations in a number of eateries (trace: try our restaurant suggestions beneath).
“Jajangmyeon may not be probably the most attractive-looking meals you’ll eat while you’re in South Korea, however it’s so yummy (and never spicy should you want a break from spice),” Verena Erhart of Vegan Excursions New York says. “It additionally occurs to be Korea’s hottest supply dish, like pizza within the US. You might need even noticed it in Okay-dramas.”
Erhart additionally recommends ordering loads of banchan, that are the small, typically vegetable-centered aspect dishes provided in South Korean eating places.
However should you’re a vegan customer, one of many first locations you have to be heading for top-notch plant-based delicacies is a temple. “Don’t go away South Korea with out making an attempt temple meals,” Erhart says. “It’s a vegan’s greatest buddy.”
In these peaceable locations of Buddhist worship, meat-free is the norm. You’ll discover kimchi, after all, alongside simple, low-waste meals like tofu stew and rice soup. The meals is allium-free (so that you received’t discover substances like onions and garlic), strikingly minimalist, wholesome, sustainable, and vegan (aside from the occasional use of honey).
Donna Zeigfinger of Inexperienced Earth Journey, who visited Jingwansa, a Twelfth-century Buddhist temple in Seoul’s Bukhansan Nationwide Park, agrees that temple meals is subsequent degree in the case of taste and expertise. “I beloved the temple ambiance,” she says. “I actually thought that it might be bland meals and boy, was I incorrect.”
Seoul’s vegan and vegetarian restaurant scene is persistently rising. | Korea Tourism Group
Korean avenue meals is vegan-friendly
With regards to Korean delicacies, you can also’t ignore the varied vary of avenue meals that’s all the time on provide for natives and vacationers alike.
A big piece of South Korea’s cultural DNA because the 1300s, meals stalls are half and parcel of native life. In truth, the main journey platform Tradition Journey has even described Seoul as “one massive open-air restaurant.” And in additional nice information for vegan guests, whereas the scene is undeniably meat-heavy, you’ll nonetheless discover it straightforward to return by plant-based choices when you’re strolling the streets for a fast and engaging chunk—if you recognize what you’re searching for. Zeigfinger recommends to start out by in search of out probably the most conventional of dishes.
“Search for gimbap (seaweed rice rolls), tteokbokki (spicy rice muffins), and japchae,” she says, that are both animal-free already, or may be made so with modifications. “Don’t hesitate to ask meals distributors if they’ll make dishes vegan-friendly,” she provides.
Kim Giovacco, the founding father of Veg Jaunts and Journeys, additionally recommends in search of out gimbap or tteokbokki. “That is quite simple and informal meals, and I completely beloved it. It felt like consolation meals to me,” she remembers. And Erhart can also be an advocate of “the easier, the higher” motto in the case of navigating the road meals scene in South Korea. Like Giovacco and Zeigfinger, she has come throughout vegan-friendly gimbap and tteakbokki, however she additionally has just a few totally different ideas, too.
“Roasted chestnuts or ginko nuts are fantastic,” she notes. “If you’re touring within the fall, it is best to attempt contemporary persimmons (or purchase the dried variety, it’s a complete course of). Gamjajeon can also be the Korean model of hash browns or Swiss Rösti and is a pancake that’s often simply manufactured from potato.” She provides that “another pancakes reminiscent of bindaetteok (manufactured from mung beans) are sometimes, however not all the time, vegan (some use eggs).”
Count on to get pleasure from loads of matcha inexperienced tea in South Korea. | Getty
How you can plan a vegan journey to Korea
Most vacationers begin in Seoul after they go to South Korea, which provides vacationers the right mix of futuristic innovation and tradition together with gorgeous temples, landscapes, and culinary delights. However don’t sleep on the remainder of this lovely nation. For contemporary historical past, head to the Korean Demilitarized Zone; for volcanic seaside resorts, Jeju Island is a should; and the port metropolis of Busan has the whole lot from shoreline to nature reserves to pure scorching springs.
To get one of the best out of your go to, think about reserving a visit by way of a journey agent. Tour operator Sky Holidays simply introduced a vegan meals tour of Seoul scheduled for this Could, whereas World Vegan Journey is seeking to run a luxurious journey to Korea within the close to future. However should you choose to determine issues out solo, you can too head to the Go to Korea web site for recommendation and tips about actions, transportation, meals, lodging, and extra.
The highest 5 vegan eating places in Seoul, in line with journey consultants
Offering proof that Seoul is sort of the vegan hotspot, listed here are among the high plant-based eating places to attempt in line with our South Korea journey consultants. As a result of if you’re beginning off on this bustling metropolis, one of the best factor to prioritize above all while you get there’s a full stomach. And don’t overlook to say jal meokkessumnida earlier than you tuck in.
Oh Se-Gye-Hyang provides ‘heart-warming’ stews within the winter months. | Oh Se-Gye-Hyang
1 Oh Se-Gye-Hyang
“I actually just like the ambiance and meals at Oh Se-gye-hyang—in the course of the scorching summer season months, they provide glorious chilly noodle dishes, and within the winter, heart-warming stews,” Erhart says. “Whereas within the midst of a purchasing district, you’ll really feel like you may have stepped into a conventional Korean home. You’ll need to take off your footwear (typically, be ready to take your footwear off typically!) and sit down on the ground to get pleasure from your meal. Western tables and chairs are additionally an possibility.”
Discover out extra
Head to Forest Kitchen for a style of creative, scrumptious delicacies. | Forest Kitchen
2 Forest Kitchen
“This place is aware of the way to stand out with its implausible service, cool vibes, and a multi-course menu,” Brighde Reed of World Vegan Journey says. “It was a feast for the senses, with every dish artistically offered and full of flavors that made us go ‘wow.’ Forest Kitchen has a manner of mixing Korean substances with unique ones like contemporary truffle and white asparagus, and the outcomes have been mind-blowing.”
Discover out extra
Plant Cafe makes a speciality of Western-style meals and has two areas in Seoul. | Plant Cafe
3 Plant Cafe
“If you’re beginning to really feel a bit of yearning for Western meals, I’d head to Plant Cafe, which has two areas in Seoul,” Erhart says. “They make wonderful burgers and among the greatest vegan desserts, reminiscent of banana cream pudding and black sesame cake.”
Discover out extra
Balwoo Gongyang provides a style of conventional temple meals. | Balwoo Gongyang
4 Balwoo Gongyang
“Whereas no alliums reminiscent of onion and garlic are utilized in temple meals, this can be very flavorful and pure, and often displays what’s at present in season,” Erhart provides. “In Seoul, I like to recommend Balwoo Gongyang, which was as soon as awarded a Michelin star, however should you get an opportunity to attempt temple meals at an precise temple, it will likely be much more particular.”
Discover out extra
For an genuine temple meals expertise, head to Jinkwansa in Seoul. | Getty
5 Jinkwansa Temple
Jinkwansa is technically a temple, not a restaurant, however the expertise was a standout for Zeigfinger. “We had a sampling of crispy greens, marinated tofu, mushroom fritters, fermented radishes, chestnut stew, and candy sticky rice squares sprinkled with fruit and nuts. However I beloved the customs of the way in which it was served,” she remembers. “All the things is grown proper on the temple, and it’s all natural. However I feel probably the most memorable factor was the temple and its environment.”
Discover out extra
Thanks to the Korea Tourism Group for partnering with VegNews on this story.
For extra vegan journey, learn:
Charlotte is a author and editor primarily based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
