Seoul is a vibrant city where tradition meets modernity, and food is at the heart of its culture. For plant-based travelers, finding vegan restaurants in Seoul might seem like a challenge, but the city has been embracing the vegan lifestyle more than ever. Whether you’re craving traditional Korean flavors, international cuisine, or sweet treats, Seoul offers plenty of options.
This guide will help you discover the best vegan restaurants in Seoul, how to find vegan-friendly street food, and where to shop for plant-based ingredients.
🌱 Vegan Food Culture in Seoul
Why Is It Hard to Find Vegan Food in Korea?
Korean cuisine is deeply rooted in meat-based dishes and seafood broths. Even some vegetable-based dishes contain ingredients like fish sauce or anchovy broth. However, Korea has a long history of plant-based cuisine, mainly from Buddhist temple food traditions, which are naturally vegan and nutritious.
How Vegan-Friendly Is Seoul?
Thanks to growing awareness, veganism is becoming more popular in Korea. Many restaurants now offer vegan menus, and plant-based versions of traditional Korean dishes are widely available.
🥢 Best Vegan Restaurants in Seoul
Here are some of the top-rated vegan restaurants in Seoul, categorized by cuisine type.
🍚 Traditional Korean Vegan Restaurants
| Restaurant | Location | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Balwoo Gongyang | Jongno | Temple cuisine |
| Osegyehyang | Insadong | Vegan Korean dishes |
| Sanchon | Insadong | Traditional Korean meals |
1. Balwoo Gongyang (발우공양)
If you want an authentic temple cuisine experience, Balwoo Gongyang is the place to visit. This Michelin-starred restaurant serves beautifully crafted vegan temple food, free from garlic, onions, and artificial seasonings.
📍 Location: Jongno, near Anguk Station
💰 Price: Around $30–$50 per person
2. Osegyehyang (오세계향)
Located in Insadong, this restaurant offers affordable vegan Korean dishes, including vegan kimchi stew, bibimbap, and dumplings.
📍 Location: Insadong
💰 Price: $10–$15 per meal
3. Sanchon (산촌)
A high-end dining experience serving traditional Korean vegan dishes with a side of cultural performances.
📍 Location: Insadong
💰 Price: $50+ per person
🍔 Western-Style Vegan Cafés & Restaurants
| Restaurant | Location | Specialty |
| PLANT Café & Kitchen | Itaewon | Vegan burgers & bowls |
| Vegetus | Itaewon | Vegan pasta & sandwiches |
| Huggers | Mapo | Vegan fast food |
4. PLANT Café & Kitchen
One of the most famous vegan cafés in Seoul, serving delicious vegan burgers, smoothie bowls, and cakes.
📍 Location: Itaewon
💰 Price: $12–$20 per meal
5. Vegetus
A cozy spot known for its vegan cheese platters, plant-based pasta, and hearty sandwiches.
📍 Location: Itaewon
💰 Price: $10–$18 per dish
6. Huggers
A great option for vegan fast food, offering juicy plant-based burgers, fries, and shakes.
📍 Location: Mapo
💰 Price: $8–$15 per meal
🍰 Vegan Bakeries & Dessert Cafés
| Bakery | Location | Specialty |
| Vegan Tiger | Hongdae | Vegan cakes & pastries |
| Joy Vegan | Gangnam | Vegan bread & cookies |
| The Bread Blue | Sinchon | Dairy-free baked goods |
7. Vegan Tiger
This popular vegan dessert café offers beautifully designed cakes, cookies, and pastries.
📍 Location: Hongdae
💰 Price: $5–$10 per dessert
8. Joy Vegan
A vegan-friendly bakery known for its soft bread, muffins, and gluten-free treats.
📍 Location: Gangnam
💰 Price: $3–$8 per item
9. The Bread Blue
A dairy-free bakery offering a variety of vegan-friendly bread and pastries.
📍 Location: Sinchon
💰 Price: $2–$7 per item
🛒 Where to Buy Vegan Groceries in Seoul
| Store | Specialty |
| Chorok Maeul | Organic groceries |
| Orga Whole Foods | Plant-based snacks |
| E-Mart / Homeplus | Vegan convenience foods |
Best Vegan Snacks in Korea
- Vegan Kimbap (Available in select convenience stores)
- Rice Crackers & Seaweed Snacks
- Dairy-Free Soy & Almond Milk
🍢 Vegan-Friendly Korean Street Food
| Street Food | Description |
| Tteokbokki | Spicy rice cakes (ask for a vegan version) |
| Hotteok | Sweet Korean pancakes filled with nuts & sugar |
| Gimbap | Vegan-friendly seaweed rice rolls |
| Mandu | Steamed or fried dumplings (vegetable version) |
🗣️ How to Order Vegan Food in Korea
Here are some useful Korean phrases to help you navigate restaurants:
🗣️ “고기 없이 주세요.” (Go-gi eop-si ju-se-yo.) → “Please make it without meat.” 🗣️ “해산물 빼주세요.” (Hae-san-mul ppae-ju-se-yo.) → “No seafood, please.” 🗣️ “비건 요리 있나요?” (Bi-geon yo-ri it-na-yo?) → “Do you have vegan dishes?”
This vegan travel guide gives you everything you need to explore vegan restaurants in Seoul, enjoy plant-based Korean food, and find vegan-friendly groceries. Whether you are a long-time vegan or just trying out plant-based meals, Seoul has plenty to offer! 🌿✨