Vegetarian in Korea: The ultimate survival guide

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Traveling with dietary restrictions can be difficult, and South Korea is no exception. In fact, after many years of travel as a vegetarian, I find Korea to be the most difficult country to be plant-based in. K-BBQ is up there with K-pop, K-dramas, and K-beauty as Korea’s best-known cultures. Meat is a staple in almost every Korean dish, making it hard to even amend or modify dishes. But if you know how to prepare, you can still have a delicious plant-based trip. I’ve lived in Seoul as a vegetarian for 3 years, and I’ve put together this survival guide to being vegetarian in Korea to save you the disappointment and frustration of not being properly prepared.

Is being vegetarian in Korea difficult?

I’m not going to sugar-coat it; having any major dietary restriction in Korea is difficult. Korea is a meat-lovers paradise, making it especially tricky to accommodate plant-based diets. Animal products are a staple in most Korean dishes, with meat and seafood making an appearance in almost every dish. Even if you don’t see obvious meat in a dish, it’s probably there.

Only 4% of South Korea’s population identifies as vegetarian, with most being devout Buddhists. This means there is also a general lack of knowledge about vegetarianism and veganism. Many Koreans don’t understand the types of vegetarianism or even the difference between vegetarian and vegan.

While being vegetarian in Korea is difficult, it’s possible. I’ve lived in Korea for 3 years as a vegetarian, so you can do it too! It’s essential to come prepared and not underestimate how meat-centric this country is. If you set your expectations and do the research to prepare, you can still enjoy Korea’s bustling food scene.

Vegetarian in Korea: Tips

• Research your options ahead of time. Traveling Korea as a vegetarian requires extra planning in advance, or you could easily find yourself somewhere with no options nearby. It’s best to research your options in advance and save them on a map so you can plan your day around where you want to eat.
• Search out vegan options even if you’re vegetarian. Most Koreans don’t know the differences between vegetarian types or understand that there’s a spectrum. Most plant-based options are fully vegan.
• Don’t expect every restaurant to have a veggie option. In fact, most don’t. You actively have to search out vegetarian options in advance.
• Use TikTok or Instagram Reels to find more suggestions – try searching #seoulvegan, #koreavegan, #busanvegan, or any similar hashtags.
• Know that asking for modifications isn’t standard practice. If you ask to amend a dish you’re ordering, the waiter or waitress will probably be confused. Sometimes they’ll do it, sometimes they won’t. Be aware that it isn’t always as simple as asking for dishes without the meat.
• Decide how strict you’ll be. Are you okay with meat-based stocks? Can you eat around or pick out chunks of meat? Even if you don’t usually do this, it helps open the door to many more options. Consider being more lenient while you’re in Korea.
• Try vegetarian-friendly street food at markets. The street foods that are usually vegetarian-friendly (please double-check before you order, sometimes they have secret meat hiding!) include:
  • Japchae: stir-fried glass noodles and vegetables
  • Savory pancakes: can be made with kimchi, potatoes, scallions, mung beans, and more
  • Kimbap: seaweed rice roll
  • Twigim: deep-fried vegetables
• Join this Vegan Korea Facebook group for suggestions and advice about anything plant-based in Korea.
• Base your trip in Seoul and/or Busan. While you don’t need to (and shouldn’t!) exclusively stay in these areas, they are significantly easier to navigate with dietary restrictions. Outside of major cities, you could find yourself somewhere with no plant-based options at all. If you’re visiting smaller towns, I recommend day trips to minimize the meals you’ll eat there.
• Know what apps to download to optimize your search for the most and best options! Keep reading for my app suggestions.

Vegetarian in Korea: Apps to Download

HappyCow ($3.99)

HappyCow is my all-time favorite app for finding veggie-friendly restaurants worldwide throughout my travels and Korea is no exception. It uses your current location to pull up a map of vegetarian and vegan options nearby. It’s color-coded to distinguish between restaurants that are vegan, vegetarian, and offer veggie options. You’ll find reviews and photos from other plant-based visitors, allowing you to choose the best of the best options. It’s currently $3.99 on the App Store, but it is worth much more for how much trouble it will save you!

KakaoMap (free)

An important thing to know when traveling to Korea is that Google Maps does not work in Korea. Usually, I use Google Maps to find, save, and get directions to great vegetarian and vegan restaurants when I’m traveling. However, in Korea, you’ll need to use KakaoMap instead. I recommend downloading it in advance to get used to the interface and start saving restaurants of interest. This country-wide shared map of recommended vegetarian and vegan restaurants is a great resource to save, with dark green marking vegan restaurants and light green marking veggie-friendly restaurants.

Papago (free)

English isn’t widespread outside of common tourist areas. You’ll need a good translation app to communicate your dietary needs, and I recommend Papago because it allows you to translate both sides of a spoken conversation in real-time. You can also take a picture of anything (like a menu) and it will translate the entire page. If you find yourself in a restaurant with a menu fully in Korean and staff with no English knowledge, Papago will be your saving grace.

Airalo (free, cost varies for eSIMs)

To use all these apps on the go and find vegetarian options no matter when or where, you’re going to need a data plan! My favorite option for accessing the Internet across the world is the Airalo eSIM. An eSIM doesn’t need to be physically put in and taken out; it’s simply installed onto your phone and connects to the Internet anywhere in the world as soon as you land. Instead of wasting time looking for a local plastic SIM, you can activate the eSIM immediately after installation or upon arrival in Korea. This is the easiest and most convenient option, and it’s reliable. I’ve used Airalo all over the world and I’m always a happy customer.

Keep in mind that eSIMs only provide data service for connecting to the Internet, not calling and texting plans. If you need to make calls or send texts abroad, you can pick up a physical SIM card at the airport upon arrival by pre-ordering here.

Need to know what other apps to download before your trip? Check out my essential apps for Korea travel, including navigation, translation, hotels, and activities.

Vegetarian in Korea: The Best Restaurants

Here are my top six favorite vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Korea. Most of my suggestions are in Seoul because that’s where I live and there’s the greatest concentration of plant-based options. This is a pared-down version of my list of the best vegetarian restaurants in Seoul, focusing on the best of the best.

Oh Se Gae Hyang (오세계향) – Vegan Korean, Seoul

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.

Vegan Insa (비건인사) – Vegan Korean, Seoul

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.

Plant (플랜트) – Vegan Western, Seoul

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!

Gusto Taco (구스토타코) – Mexican, Seoul

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.

Pinch Brunch Bar (핀치브런치바) – Vegan Western, Seoul

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.

HOME Bistro and Cafe (홈비스트로)  – Vegan Asian & Western, Busan

HOME Bistro is located next to the beautiful Haeundae Beach in Busan. The atmosphere is rustic and homey, with vegan food and wine plus occasional music, art, and cultural events. The meals are healthy and delicious and the menu changes often to feature various international dishes.

Although being vegetarian in Korea can be challenging, this survival guide ensures you’ll be well-prepared for a delicious journey. As long as you prepare and research in advance using these tips, Korea can be a rewarding foodie destination even for plant-based eaters.

Book Your South Korea Excursions

Eating your way around the country is just one of the many amazing things to do in South Korea. 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 South Korea 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 South Korea accommodation on Agoda today:

Keep reading:

• The best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Seoul
• The 22 best cafes in Seoul
• Seoul itinerary: Local’s guide to 1 week or less
• 20 best things to do in Seoul, South Korea
• 15 unique things to do in Seoul: An unreplicable bucket list
• 2 week South Korea itinerary & travel guide from a local
• South Korea Solo Travel Guide: Safety, tips, & what to expect
• South Korea packing list: A local’s guide to what to pack
• Where to stay in Seoul, South Korea: A local’s guide
• What to know before going to South Korea: 33 tips from a local