Where the concierge points people first
- 발우공양 — Balwoo Gongyang, the temple-food restaurant of the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism, on the fifth floor of the Templestay Information Center opposite Jogyesa. Its set menus follow monastic cooking, with no meat, no fish and none of the pungent vegetables, and it held a Michelin star from 2017 to 2019. Reservations are essential. (37.5739, 126.9832)
- Monks Butcher — An all-vegan restaurant and wine bar at 228-1 Itaewon-ro in Hannam-dong, with a second branch in Dosan: plant-based burgers, pastas and curries in a dark, art-deco room. Busy at weekends, so book. (37.5354, 126.9992)
- Plant Cafe Seoul — One of Seoul's longest-running vegan cafés, upstairs at 117 Bogwang-ro in Itaewon, with a second café in Yeonnam-dong near Hongik University station: wraps, burgers, bowls and vegan cakes. (37.5331, 126.9942)
The rest of the vegetarian restaurants in Seoul — every one we hold
- Maji (37.5776, 126.9709)
- The Beyond Community (37.5479, 127.0150)
- Vegan Kitchen (37.5737, 126.9362)
- Veganique (37.5594, 126.9450)
- 다이너재키 (37.5545, 126.9056)
- 달냥 (37.5895, 126.9991)
- 담담 淡淡 (37.5431, 126.9648)
- 레이지파머스 lazy farmers (37.5404, 126.9933)
- 메종드비건 (37.5485, 126.9222)
- 셰발레리 (37.5552, 126.9020)
- 야미요밀 (37.5516, 126.9153)
- 어라운드 그린 (37.5550, 126.9026)
- 에너지키친 (37.5239, 127.0403)
- 오무오무 omuomu vegan bakery (37.5589, 127.0779)
- 적수방 (37.5597, 127.0049)
- 제리코바앤키친 (37.5621, 126.9195)
- 죠티인도레스토랑 (37.5613, 126.9979)
- 찬찬찬 (37.4998, 127.0366)
- 피스풀 테이블 (37.5673, 126.9290)
- 한상훈 셰프의 남산피자 (37.5633, 127.0279)
Korean food is not as vegetarian as it looks
Korean cooking leans on vegetables, but the seasonings often do not: kimchi is usually made with fish sauce or salted shrimp, and many soups and stews start from anchovy or beef stock, so a dish that looks vegetarian can still contain fish or meat. Temple food is the safe tradition. It is vegan and also leaves out garlic, onions, chives, scallions and leeks, which monks avoid. Saying "vegan" is often not enough at an ordinary restaurant; asking for no meat, no fish and no jeotgal (salted seafood) is clearer. Itaewon, Hannam-dong and Yeonnam-dong have the most fully vegan menus.
Questions people ask
Is Korean food vegetarian-friendly?
Partly. Many dishes are built on vegetables, but kimchi often contains fish sauce or salted shrimp and many soups use anchovy or beef stock, so ask before you order.
What is Korean temple food?
The vegan cooking of Korea's Buddhist temples, which also leaves out garlic, onions and other pungent vegetables. Balwoo Gongyang, opposite Jogyesa, serves it as set menus.
Where are the vegan restaurants in Seoul?
Itaewon, Hannam-dong and Yeonnam-dong have the most, including Monks Butcher and Plant Cafe Seoul.
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