Tips on ordering a menu

A majority of the restaurants in Korea do not have a set procedure or a manual for those who have dietary concerns. Therefore, travelers who are vegetarians are advised to inform the staff of their diet and provide detailed instructions on what ingredients to exclude when making an order.

1. Korean Cuisine

• Bibimbap: Basic ingredients include meat, egg, gochujang (Korean chili paste), and various vegetables. When ordering, ask to check if any meat is included in the dish. As bibimbap is almost always served with an egg on top, make a request to exclude it from your dish.
• Stew: Many traditional Korean stews are made from meat or fish broth. Make a request to prepare your order using plain water.
• Gimbap: Ham and eggs are basic ingredients that go in a gimbap. Other meat ingredient options include tuna and crab stick. Make a request to exclude them when ordering.
• Soup & porridge: A wide variety of porridges and soup are available in Korea, including those that use meat and seafood. Check in advance and request to exclude meat and seafood upon order.

2. Western Cuisine

• Hamburger: Hamburgers in Korea are not much different from those overseas. Some restaurants serve hamburgers using patties made from grains and vegetables instead of meat.
• Pasta: Although every restaurant has its menu, most restaurants serve pastas with meat or seafood ingredients. However, since several restaurants have vegetarian pasta menu as well; check with the restaurant in advance before visiting.
• Pizza: As the topping options can get surprisingly diverse, special attention is required. Popular vegetarian pizza menus include basil pesto pizza and margherita pizza. Ask the staff in advance if the cheese is vegetarian-friendly.

3. Chinese Cuisine

• Jjajangmyeon · jjamppong: Jjajangmyeon's basic ingredients include pork along with vegetables like onion and cabbage whereas jjamppong uses seafood. Make a request to exclude any meat or seafood and prepare food with vegetables only instead.
• Dim sum: Dim sum is usually filled with either seafood or meat. Ask the staff in advance to avoid dim sum with seafood or meat.

4. Japanese Cuisine

• Curry: Special attention to the ingredients are needed as a variety of curry menus are available. Even vegetable curry can include either cheese or cream.
• Sushi: As the main ingredient for sushi is seafood, inform the staff of your vegetarian diet and ask for recommendations.

Recommended vegetarian restaurants in Seoul

【 Photo: Kong sundubu gangdoenjang bibimbap & nurungji tang (Credit: Osegyehyang) 】

Plant

Plant serves meals and desserts made without using any eggs, milk, and butter. Plant is not only a popular restaurant among vegetarians, but also recommended among international tourists. Take note that Plant does not have menus for those who are strictly fruitarian.

Around Green

Around Green is the hottest vegan restaurant in Mangwon-dong. The restaurant serves gluten-free dishes as well as desserts made without using any milk or butter.

Slunch

Slunch is a vegetarian friendly café and a restaurant. Their menu provides ingredient information along with vegetarian classification, allowing any vegetarian to choose the menu conveniently according to their dietary preference. However, Slunch do not have any menu items fit for those who are fruitarian diet.

Osegyehyang

Owned by vegetable grocery store Veggie Food, Osegyehyang has been serving vegetarian food since 2007 in Insa-dong. The greatest draw of this restaurant is the diverse variety of menus. Oseggyehyang prepares food using only vegetables and therefore do not have any menu items for fruitarians.

Loving Hut Café

Loving Hut Café is part of the international vegetarian chain restaurant Loving Hut. From meals to desserts, the café offers a wide variety of menu that is 100% vegan. A total of 15 cafés are spread throughout Korea, namely in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Daejeon, and Jeonju. More information on branch locations can be found at Loving Hut's official website.