Having dietary restrictions while living or traveling abroad can turn eating into a difficult and stressful part of your day, especially in South Korea, where meat seems to be in almost every Korean dish. But one of the best parts of travel is the food! You can still enjoy your mealtimes abroad if you know where to go. After 3 years of eating around Seoul as a vegetarian, I’ve put together a guide to the best vegetarian restaurants in Seoul, ranging from fully vegan to vegetarian-friendly. These are all mid-range, affordable options.
For essential tips for not only surviving but thriving in Korea as a plant-based eater, check out my survival guide to being vegetarian in Korea.
How can I find vegetarian restaurants in Seoul?
The easiest way to find good vegetarian/vegan options in Korea is to download the app HappyCow. This $3.99 app will show you, on a map, a list of nearby vegan and vegetarian food, along with photos and reviews from fellow travelers. I recommend that you look and plan in advance because not every neighborhood in Seoul will have options, while some will have quite a few to choose from!
Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Seoul: Vegan
Little Gangster (리틀갱스터) – Western, Yongsan-gu
This is my favorite vegan restaurant in Seoul! And I’m not alone; it has been recognized by both vegans and non-vegans alike in local magazines and newspapers. The menu changes seasonally so there’s always a reason to go back. It’s popular and in quite a small storefront, so go early to beat the crowd!
Camouflage (카무플라주) – American Chinese, Itaewon-dong
Itaewon is the neighborhood in Seoul with the most vegan and vegetarian options. Camouflage is a hidden gem located just a short walk from the main street. I appreciate the many soy “chicken” options they offer, since they can be expensive and hard to find. Don’t miss out on ordering a set – the chow mein is incredible!
Oh Se Gae Hyang (오세계향) – Korean, Insa-dong
If you want a traditional Korean dining experience, this is the place. The menu is huge, featuring many traditional Korean dishes vegan-ized, and you will receive a plethora of vegan side dishes (banchan) before the main course. A word of warning, the restaurant displays lots of pro-vegan propaganda, perhaps to an excessive degree… if you can ignore that, it’s a very enjoyable experience.
Pinch Brunch Bar (핀치브런치바) – Western, Sinsa-dong
If you want a delicious brunch that you won’t even realize is vegan, head to Pinch! And do yourself a favor by ordering the green pea and asparagus curry gnocci. This is an absolute favorite among my vegetarian, vegan, and meat-eating friends alike. The menu is small but everything I’ve tried on it has been amazing. If you’re visiting on a weekend, I recommend showing up shortly after opening, as it’s a small space.
Monk’s Butcher (몽크스부처) – Western, Hannam-dong
This is the most expensive restaurant on this list, but I promise it’s worth it! For an amazing culinary experience, head here. It’s the perfect spot for a high-scale vegan dinner without completely breaking the bank. Everything I tried was absolutely amazing.
Vegan Insa (비건인사) – Korean, Ikseon-dong
Set in a cozy traditional building in Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, Vegan Insa has a large vegan menu of traditional Korean dishes. Options include tteokbokki, dumplings, fried “chicken”, noodles, and bibimbap. With its many choices and a nice setting, it’s a great option for trying Korean dishes.
Veg Green (베지그린) – Korean, Yangjae-dong
Hidden in a neighborhood unvisited by most tourists, Veg Green is a plant-based paradise. For only ₩13,000, there’s a vegan buffet featuring a huge variety of Korean dishes and a few Western ones. The buffet includes vegan banchan (side dishes), kimbap, bulgogi, noodles, fried “chicken”, salad, soups, tea, dessert, and more. It’s more than worth making your way off the beaten path to indulge in this delicious, cheap buffet!
Sunny Bowl (써니보울) – Western, Sinchon-dong
This small restaurant is tucked away in one of Seoul’s college neighborhoods. Because of its college location, it’s more affordable than most vegan restaurants in Seoul. The large menu features salads, pasta, and rice-based dishes. You even get a complimentary soup or salad while you wait for your meal.
ByTOFU (바이두부) – Western, Haebangchon
ByTOFU knows how to make tofu delicious and versatile. Each of their dishes features tofu in a different style and flavor. They serve bowls, sandwiches, wraps, and salads, along with a few vegan bakery items. The eggless egg sandwich is their best-selling menu item.
On the Move (온더무브) – Western & bar, Euljiro
This rooftop bar and restaurant has a huge drink menu, a vegan appetizer and entree menu, and stunning views of the surrounding area. The menu features wines, beers, single-malt whiskeys, high balls, and a rotating selection of international fare including Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and Ethiopian. There’s also a small art gallery with rotating exhibits.
Plant (플랜트) – Western, Itaewon-dong and Yeonnam-dong
If you’re coming to Seoul with dietary restrictions, you’ve surely heard of Plant. There’s a reason it’s so well-known – it’s a reliable vegan restaurant located in two popular areas with a wide range of dishes, drinks, and pastries. The menu includes pasta, salads, wraps, sandwiches, and other seasonal entrees. The cakes are delicious, even to a non-vegan – I highly recommend the chocolate peanut butter!
Craving a plant-based custom Korean adventure?
From Seoul’s trendiest vegan cafes to hidden local spots that cater to plant-based foodies, I help travelers create custom itineraries that match their interests and tastes. I lived in Korea for 3 years as a vegetarian, so you can trust my insider knowledge to guide you to the best plant-based experiences in the country.
Let’s plan your perfect plant-based trip to Korea today!
Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Seoul: Veggie-friendly
California Kitchen & Craft Pub (캘리포니아 키친앤크래프트 펍) – American, Haebangchon
If you’re craving some American Tex-Mex, this is your place. They offer a few vegetarian options featuring their ‘cali chorizo’ – tofu, mushroom, cauliflower and walnuts mixed together into a convincing veggie alternative to chorizo. In addition, this place has some of the best on-tap beer options in the city.
Gusto Taco (구스토타코) – Mexican, Sangsu
It’s difficult to find high-quality Mexican food in Korea, but Gusto Taco will not disappoint! Their veggie tacos are to die for – you can order them vegan or vegetarian (with cheese and sour cream). The margaritas are also legit. It’s great if you’re traveling with meat-eating friends because it isn’t exclusively vegan or vegetarian.
Mama Ethiopian Cuisine (마마 에티오피아 요리) – Ethiopian, Haebangchon
Mama has an amazing veggie platter featuring delicious lentil and vegetable dishes. It’s unlike any other vegetarian food that you can find in Korea. Bring a friend or two to help you tackle it, and make sure to put on the provided gloves before digging in!
Delhi India (델리인디아) – Indian, Sangsu
I stumbled upon this gem after cafe hopping in the Hongdae area. I was craving salty, savory food, and this did the trick. The menu features 9 veggie curries, a veggie biryani, and 2 veggie noodle dishes. My friends and I agreed that this was the closest to American Indian food that we had eaten in Korea.
Buddha’s Belly (부다스벨리) – Thai, Itaewon-dong
This elegant Thai spot has the most vegetarian and vegan options of any Thai restaurant I’ve been to in Korea. There is an entire menu dedicated to their vegetarian and vegan options – just ask! As a Thai food enthusiast, I thought the pad thai was delicious; close to the pad thai in American Thai restaurants.
Cow Tteokbokki (카우떡볶이) – Korean, Sinchon-dong
This Korean restaurant is dedicated entirely to tteokbokki, the delicious spicy rice cake dish that so many love. Usually, tteokbokki is inaccessible for plant-based eaters because the standard version has fish cakes in it. At Cow Tteokbokki, there is a separate vegan menu with different tteokbokki flavors plus rice and fried dishes. The regular tteokbokki is delicious, and they also have options for black bean sauce and rose sauce tteokbokki. The spice level is customizable for those who have heat preferences.
Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Seoul: Honorable Mentions
Cuchara (쿠차라) – BYO Mexican, multiple locations
This is the closest you can get to Chipotle in Korea. It’s never going to hit the same, but it satisfies the craving and it’s cheap. The idea is the same – choose from a bowl, tacos, burrito, or salad, and add the protein and toppings of your choice from there. The tofu is pretty close to the sofritas from Chipotle.
Salady (샐러디) – BYO salad, multiple locations
Salady is a quick, easy, healthy, customizable salad chain with locations all over the country. This is my go-to whenever I’m in a pinch and want something fresh and light. They have two premade options, a falafel pumpkin bowl and a gochujang mushroom bowl. They also have the option to build your own bowl with your selection of bases, proteins, toppings, and dressings. They have both vegetarian and vegan options.
Any hotpot buffet (훠궈/샤부샤부)!
If you type “훠궈” or “샤부샤부” into Naver Maps or Kakao Maps, you will see many options pop up in Seoul. Look at the pictures to MAKE SURE IT’S A BUFFET – the bigger the buffet looks, the better! These buffets are oftentimes unlimited and feature many tofu, vegetable, and noodle choices. Just make sure you go with someone who won’t cook their meat in your soup! Here are my 2 favorite hotpot places in Seoul: Guguhyang Huoguo (구구향훠궈) in Kondae and Chungching Mala Huoguo (충칭마라훠궈) in Sharosugil.
Although not eating meat in Korea can be difficult, I hope that this guide to the best vegetarian restaurants in Seoul helps you out. Happy plant-based Seoul searching!
Book Your Seoul Excursions
Eating your way around Seoul is just one of the many amazing things to do in this dynamic city. The best activity and excursion booking platforms for South Korea are Klook and GetYourGuide. Both websites have thousands of trustworthy travel experiences with verified user reviews. I use Klook and GetYourGuide to book almost all my excursions in Asia.
Book Your Seoul Accommodation
Need amazing hotels or hostels for your South Korea trip? The best booking platform for finding and reserving great hotels in Korea is Agoda. It’s owned by the same company as Booking.com but is based in Asia, making it great for finding any hotels you need. If you’re a backpacker staying in hostels, then Hostelworld is consistently the best hostel booking platform worldwide, and Korea is no exception. Book your Seoul accommodation on Agoda today:
Keep reading:
- Vegetarian in Korea: The ultimate survival guide
- 2 week South Korea itinerary & travel guide from a local
- South Korea Solo Travel Guide: Safety, tips, & what to expect
- 20 best things to do in Seoul, South Korea
- Seoul itinerary: Local’s guide to 1 week or less
- 15 unique things to do in Seoul: An unreplicable bucket list
- Where to stay in Seoul, South Korea: A local’s guide
- 15 BEST day trips from Seoul
- 16 best things to do in Busan, South Korea
- Busan itinerary: 2, 3, or 4 days in South Korea’s coastal gem
- 10 best day trips from Busan
- What to know before going to South Korea: 33 tips from a local
- South Korea packing list: A local’s guide to what to pack
- 31 unmissable things to do in spring in Korea
- 22 best things to do in summer in Korea
- Fall in Korea: The 26 best things to do
- 25 unmissable things to do in Korea in winter
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