Being a vegetarian in Korea can be a downright uphill battle you feel like you’re constantly losing. While Korea seems to be obsessed with meat and pork, it feels like the only thing you can eat are the side dishes and even those can be marinated in fish products or contain fish like anchovies. (Also, it is me or do Koreans look at you like you’re an alien when you tell them you don’t eat meat?) Ditching meat has been one of the best decisions of my life and I’m super glad I was able to do it. Luckily, Seoul is getting to be all-inclusive and there are great places to eat and wonderful experiences to have if you’re all about the plant based diet!
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Blooms on Your Cake
This is an experience that is absolutely PERFECT if you’re vegan. Everything here uses natural ingredients such as green tea, red bean, and homemade rice flour. You’ll get to be a pastry chef, make beautiful flowers with white bean paste, and have tea time with a tea master at the end. There are only four people allowed in this experience to prevent overcrowding and both hosts are super friendly and make you feel right at home. As you go through the experience, they are super helpful and even take photos of you during the event as a souvenir! This is a wonderful memento and memory of mixing traditional Korean cooking with a modern twist. If you’re interested in the experience, book through One More Trip or check out their Facebook page for more details.
Address: 4, Seongbuk-ro 23na-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Korea, 02879
Telephone: 070-8844-1323
Hours: Tuesdays/Thursdays 11am-2pm
Sanchon
This gorgeous temple food restaurant is located in Insadong, one of my favorite neighborhoods of Seoul. It’s a traditional one around the Gyeongbokgung Palace. It’s home to many hidden cafes and not so hidden cafes like the poop cafe. This restaurant was founded by an ex Buddhist monk who used his knowledge of traditional, simple, clean and healthy ingredients to make delicious dishes. All the food is cooked without artificial ingredients and you will be served a 16 course lunch or dinner menu (depending on the time you go). Lunch costs about 35,000 won per person and dinner is 45,000 won. Dinner time is more expensive because you get a show consisting of Korean dance and Buddhist rituals. For more information, check out Linda Goes East.
Address: Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 30-13 road (Gwanhun) Gwanhun 14, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Telephone: 02-735-0312
Hours: 11:30am-10pm
PLANT Cafe and Kitchen
PLANT is one of my favorite places to eat in Seoul and the kryptonite to my Superman. If I could eat here every day, I would. Seriously, it’s just that good. The menu has many favorite options like vegan chili cheeseburgers, pumpkin spice lattes, chocolate peanut butter cake, and risotto. Everything on the menu is simply to die for an there’s not a bad dish on it. You will be surprised with how delicious everything is and you will most likely be as sadly addicted as I am. Everything on the menu is vegan and the cafe atmosphere is cozy. Go early or in the late afternoons as this restaurant is super popular with tourists and expats.
Address: 117 Bogwang-ro, Itaewon 1(il)-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Telephone: 02-749-1981
Hours: 11am-9pm
March Rabbit
This is a restaurant that will make everyone happy. If you have friends that are meat eaters, there is a menu that serves chicken, fish and beef. If you’re vegan or vegetarian, you have the option to customize your foods with tofu mayo and more vegetables. Their motto is to be all about the power food so many of their dishes include hummus and kale. In addition, they have power juices made with different ingredients to boost energy, health, and digestion. The restaurant is very Alice in Wonderland themed and very open. It’s tucked away in a back corner off the main 13-Garosugil Road, but totally worth the find.
Address: Sinsa-dong 560 Seoul, Korea
신사동560 Seoul, Korea
Telephone: 070-4531-4514
Hours: 11am-3:30pm & 5:30pm-9:30pm
With all these delicious places to eat and it now being close to dinner time, I am drooling and my stomach is growling begging me to feed it all the deliciousness I just shared here. Whatever your flavor is, I hope you’ll try out one of these Gina Bear approved eats! The vegetarian life is a wonderful life choice and I’m glad Seoul is now opening more experiences and restaurants to cater to this lifestyle.
