Food
Vegetarian & Vegan Korea Survival Guide 2026
A 2026 guide to vegetarian and vegan eating in Korea — temple food, naturally vegan dishes, restaurants in Seoul, what to avoid (anchovy broth).
Korea is harder for vegetarians than Japan but easier than most travelers expect — the country's Buddhist temple-food tradition (사찰음식) is fully vegan and the modern vegan-restaurant scene has tripled since 2022. The biggest hidden risk: anchovy stock and shellfish-based broth in dishes that look vegetarian. This 2026 guide covers what's safely vegan, where to actually eat in Seoul, and the Korean phrases that matter.
What is naturally vegan in Korea
Bibimbap (rice bowl with vegetables — order without yukhoe and egg, request "kochujang only" sauce), japchae (sweet potato noodles with vegetables), pajeon (green-onion pancake — verify no shrimp), kimchi (most varieties vegan, but some include shrimp paste — ask), tofu dishes (sundubu jjigae usually has anchovy stock — ask for vegetable broth version). Plain rice, banchan vegetables, and steamed mandu with vegetable filling are universally safe. Avoid: anything with "myeolchi" (anchovy), most kimbap (egg), most stews (anchovy stock).
Vegan restaurants in Seoul (2026)
Plant Cafe (Itaewon, Hongdae, Apgujeong branches) — fully vegan, English menu, brunch + dinner. Sanchon (Insadong) — high-end Buddhist temple food, ₩40,000–60,000 set menu, reservation required. Loving Hut (Hongdae and Gangnam) — international vegan chain with Korean dishes. Maru (Itaewon) — Korean-style vegan jjigae and bibimbap. Plant cafe Hongdae is the easiest first visit; Sanchon is for a special night. About 30 fully vegan restaurants operate in Seoul as of 2026, mostly clustered in Itaewon, Hongdae, and Yongsan.
Buddhist temple food (sachal eumsik)
Korean temple food excludes meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and the five pungent ingredients (garlic, onion, leek, scallion, chive) — making it stricter than most Western veganism. Temple food restaurants like Sanchon (Insadong) and Balwoo Gongyang (near Jogyesa Temple) serve traditional courses; templestay programs include temple meals. Prices ₩30,000–80,000 per multi-course set. The flavor profile relies on fermented soy, sesame, and seasonal mountain vegetables.
Vegan-friendly phrases
- "Gogi mot meogeoyo" — I cannot eat meat.
- "Saengseon mot meogeoyo" — I cannot eat fish.
- "Myeolchi-yug-su an dwego, chaeso-yug-su juseyo" — No anchovy stock please, vegetable stock please.
- "Gyeran ppe-juseyo" — Hold the egg please.
- "Saewu / Jeotgal mot meogeoyo" — I cannot eat shrimp / fish sauce.
- HappyCow app has the most up-to-date Seoul vegan listing (filter by "vegan" not "vegetarian").
Is kimchi always vegetarian?
No — most commercial kimchi includes jeotgal (fish sauce or salted shrimp). Vegan kimchi exists at health-food stores and most vegan restaurants. Ask "jeotgal eopseoyo?" — is there fish sauce.
Can I get vegan Korean BBQ?
Limited — a few Itaewon spots serve plant-based BBQ (Plant Cafe, Loving Hut). The grill experience itself is centered on meat. Plant-based protein bowls and vegan jjigae are easier alternatives.
Is convenience-store food vegan-friendly?
Limited but possible — vegetable kimbap (vegan if you ask "no egg"), plain rice triangles, fruit, vegetable juice. Read labels for "어묵" (fish cake), "참치" (tuna), "햄" (ham). 7-Eleven and CU stock 4–6 vegan options as of 2026.
Are Korean salads vegan?
Sometimes — green salads are usually vegan but dressings often contain anchovy or fish sauce. Verify dressing ingredients. Pickled radish (danmuji) and cucumber kimchi (oi-sobaegi) are widely vegan.