The Complete Vegan Food Guide to South Korea (2026)
30+ tested restaurants across Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan & Jeju—from temple food to vegan fried chicken
Updated January 2026: All restaurants personally tested during a 1-month trip • Includes prices, directions & pro tips
🗺️ Jump to Your Destination:
South Korea may not be the first destination that comes to mind for vegans and vegetarians—with its abundance of fried chicken, BBQ meats, and seafood—but you’d be surprised at the variety of plant-based options available throughout the country. After spending a month eating my way through South Korea as a vegan, I’ve discovered everything from traditional temple food to mind-blowing vegan fried chicken that could fool any meat-eater.
This guide covers 30+ personally tested vegan and vegetarian restaurants across Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan, and Jeju Island. From traditional Korean dishes and fusion cuisine to Western favourites, here’s everything you need to know about eating plant-based in South Korea in 2026.
🔑 Essential Info Before You Go
- Google Maps doesn’t work in South Korea for navigation. Download Naver Maps or Kakao Maps before you arrive.
- “Vegan” in Korean: 비건 (bigeon) or 채식주의자 (chaesikjuuija)
- Average meal cost: ₩10,000-20,000 ($10-20 AUD) per person
- Best vegan-friendly city: Seoul (by far)
- Toughest city for vegans: Jeju Island (plan ahead!)
💰 What to Expect: Budget Breakdown
| Meal Type | Price (KRW) | Price (AUD) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street Food | ₩3,000-8,000 | $3-8 | Tteokbokki, kimbap, mandu |
| Casual Restaurant | ₩10,000-15,000 | $10-15 | Bibimbap, noodles, stews |
| Mid-Range | ₩15,000-25,000 | $15-25 | Burgers, pizza, temple food sets |
| All-You-Can-Eat Buffet | ₩12,000-18,000 | $12-18 | Veg Green Buffet, Loving Hut |
| Bakery/Cafe | ₩5,000-12,000 | $5-12 | Pastries, coffee, light meals |
💡 Money-saving tip: Lunch sets (점심 정식) are usually 20-30% cheaper than dinner. Many restaurants offer great value set menus between 11am-2pm.
🏙️ SEOUL: The Vegan Capital (11 Restaurants)
Seoul has the best vegan scene in South Korea—you could eat at a different vegan restaurant every day for weeks.
Seoul’s bustling capital offers the widest range of vegan and vegetarian options in South Korea. From traditional Korean temple food to innovative fusion cuisine and Western comfort food, Seoul has something for every plant-based eater. The neighbourhoods of Insadong, Hongdae, Itaewon, and Gangnam are particularly vegan-friendly.
1. Maru (마루)
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Insadong • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Korean-Mexican fusion
Kimchi quesadilla (trust me!), tofu bibimbap, kimbap. Casual vibe in Insadong’s heart.
Hours: Tue-Sun 10:30am-7pm (Kitchen closed 3-5pm)
2. Osegye Hyang (오세계향)
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Insadong • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Temple food
Hidden down stunning alley. Amazing vegan bibimbap & fried “chicken”. Electronic menus.
Hours: Mon-Wed & Fri-Sun 11:30am-9pm
3. Bread Blue Vegan Bakery
🌱 Vegan
📍 Sinchon • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Bakery
Incredible mango cake, pizza, pastries, amazing coffee. Sweet tooth paradise.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-8:30pm, Sun 9am-8:30pm
4. Plant Cafe
🌱 Vegan
📍 Itaewon & Yeonnam • 💰 ₩₩₩ • ⭐ Western
Vegan burgers, sandwiches, wraps, smoothies. Pricey but big portions.
Hours: Tue-Sun 11am-10pm
5. Gwanjang Market Stall A11
🥬 Vegan Options
📍 Gwanjang Market • 💰 ₩ • ⭐ Street food
Netflix fame! Mungbean pancakes, tteokbokki, mandu. Cheap & authentic. Cash only.
Hours: Daily 12pm-11pm
6. Slunch Factory
🌱 Mostly Vegan
📍 Hongdae • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Pizza, pasta
Pizza is outstanding—melted cheese, homemade pepperoni. Cosy atmosphere.
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun 11am-11pm
7. Nammi Plant Lab
🌱 Vegan
📍 South Seoul • 💰 ₩₩₩ • ⭐ Upscale
Fluffy gnocchi, pasta, pizza, paella. Craft beer & wine. Visit Geobukyi (Turtle Cafe) nearby for desserts!
Hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-4pm & 5:30-9pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-9pm
8. Veg Green Buffet
🌱 All-You-Can-Eat
📍 Gangnam • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Buffet
My favourite buffet! Kimbap, tteokbokki, fried mushrooms, mock meats. Sweet owner.
Hours: Daily 12pm-2:30pm & 6pm-9pm
9. Loving Hut
🌱 Vegan Chain
📍 Gangnam • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Korean & International
Spicy soy fried chicken is INCREDIBLE. Tofu stew, pizza. Small grocery shop. WiFi available.
Hours: Daily 11am-9pm
10. STYLEVEGAN
🌱 Vegan
📍 Gangnam • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Burgers & Pizza
BBQ pizza is life-changing! Homemade “chicken” nuggets. Perfect vegan eggs. Owner Marcos is lovely.
Hours: Tue-Sun 11am-10pm (Closed Mon)
11. Pan Honesta
🌱 Vegan Bakery
📍 Itaewon & Gangnam • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Bakery
Cookies, tarts, vegan bingsu (shaved ice dessert). Cosy. Two locations.
Hours: Tue-Sun 12pm-8pm
🌟 My Top 3 Seoul Recommendations
- For authentic Korean: Osegye Hyang (amazing temple food in a beautiful setting)
- For Western comfort food: Slunch Factory (that pizza is life-changing)
- Best value: Gwanjang Market Stall A11 (cheap, delicious, authentic experience)
🏛️ GYEONGJU: Historic City (5 Restaurants)
Limited but quality options—plan ahead for this historic city.
Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom, has fewer vegan options than Seoul, but what’s available is excellent. The city specialises in temple food given its Buddhist heritage, making it a great place to experience traditional Korean vegan cuisine.
Gyeongju has far fewer vegan restaurants than Seoul. Book accommodation near the city centre for easy access. Some restaurants have irregular hours—always check before making the journey.
1. Baru Korean Vegan
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Countryside • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Temple food
Set menu recommended! Kimchi stew, tofu bibimbap, japchae. 30-min walk from centre through countryside.
Hours: Daily 12pm-9pm (call ahead)
2. Cafe Vege Bakery
🥬 Vegan Options
📍 City Centre • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Cafe
Clearly marked vegan menu. Bean steak lunch, wraps, salads, fresh bread. Lovely owner.
Hours: Daily 10am-9pm
3. Hyangjeok Won (향적원)
⚠️ Check Kimchi
📍 Ma-dong • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Temple food
Set menu for two. Fresh, healthy temple food. NOTE: Mixed reports on whether kimchi contains fish sauce—ask!
Hours: Daily 11am-9pm
4. Smells Like Bread
🌱 Vegan & GF
📍 Yonggang-dong • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Bakery
Vegan AND gluten-free! Rare find. Muffins, croissants, brownies, sandwiches. Wonderful staff.
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-6pm
5. Lotteria
🍔 Fast Food
📍 City Centre • 💰 ₩ • ⭐ Chain
Ria Miracle Burger II (soy protein). Self-ordering machine with English menu. Good backup option.
Hours: Daily 9am-11pm
🏖️ BUSAN: Coastal Delights (4 Restaurants)
South Korea’s second city has a growing vegan scene—especially around Seomyeon.
Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, offers a vibrant culinary scene with a decent selection of vegan options. From budget-friendly Korean fare to upscale temple food with ocean views, Busan’s vegan restaurants showcase the city’s culinary diversity.
1. Dajeon
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Seomyeon • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Korean
Hidden gem on top floor! One woman operation. Budget-friendly share-plate style. Spectacular food.
Hours: Mon-Sat 12-2:30pm & 5-8:30pm (irregular, call ahead)
2. Soban Vegan Restaurant
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 Seo-gu • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Korean
AMAZING fried “chicken”! Spicy tofu stew, fried shiitake. Owner speaks great English. Reasonable prices.
Hours: Mon-Tue & Thu-Sat 11:30am-7pm (Closed Wed & Sun)
3. Ecotopia
🥬 Vegetarian/Vegan
📍 Behind main street • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Vegetarian
Little house with lovely ambiance. Tofu bibimbap—fresh, light, not oily. NOTE: Kimchi contains fish sauce!
Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-3pm & 5-7pm, Sun 10am-3pm
4. Vegenarang
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 9th floor (sea views!) • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Temple food
Stunning sunset views! Lotus leaf rice set recommended. Fried oyster mushrooms & bean cutlet are amazing.
Hours: Daily 11:30am-3pm & 5-8pm
💡 Busan tip: Book sunset time at Vegenarang for incredible ocean views. Soban’s fried chicken is seriously the best vegan fried chicken I’ve had anywhere in the world.
🌴 JEJU ISLAND: Paradise with Challenges (4 Restaurants)
Fewest vegan options—definitely plan ahead and consider renting a car.
Jeju Island is South Korea’s stunning island paradise, but it’s the most challenging place for vegans. Options are limited and spread out across the island, making a rental car almost essential. However, the restaurants that do exist are excellent quality.
Jeju has the fewest vegan options in this guide. Restaurants are far apart, hours can be irregular, and some close unexpectedly. Always call ahead before making the journey. A rental car is highly recommended. Consider booking accommodation near Five Seventh or And Yu Cafe.
1. Five Seventh (칠분의 오)
🌱 100% Vegan
📍 North Jeju • 💰 ₩₩₩ • ⭐ Korean & Western
Best restaurant on the island! Dudumchic (vegan chicken), tteokbokki, pasta, burgers, amazing cakes. Car recommended.
Hours: Fri-Tue 12pm-7pm, Wed 12pm-4pm
2. And 유 Yu Cafe Hyeopjae
🌱 Vegan
📍 West Jeju • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Western
Incredible burgers! Also: chicken nuggets, salads, chickpea curry, soy lattes, vegan cakes. Cosy atmosphere.
Hours: Thu-Mon 12pm-7pm (Closed Tue & Wed)
3. Taco Massim
🥬 Vegan Options
📍 Gujwa-eup • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Mexican
Serves meat but has vegan options. Owner speaks English, understands veganism. Fresh tacos with salsa.
Hours: Daily 12pm-8pm
4. Rajmahal Indian Restaurant
🥬 Vegetarian Options
📍 Jeju City • 💰 ₩₩ • ⭐ Indian
Break from Korean food! Chana masala, dahl, vegetable biryani. Vegan options available on request.
Hours: Daily 11:30am-11pm
🗺️ Planning Your South Korea Vegan Food Journey?
Check out our complete 14 Day South Korea Itinerary covering Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan, and Jeju—with detailed daily plans, transport info, and accommodation recommendations perfect for plant-based travellers.
🏨 Book Accommodation Near Vegan Restaurants
Smart tip: Book your hotel or hostel near the vegan restaurant clusters. In Seoul, stay in Insadong, Hongdae, or Gangnam for easy access to the best vegan spots.
🎒 Essential Items for Vegan Travel in Korea
📱 Tech Essentials
- Portable charger – You’ll use Naver Maps constantly
- Universal travel adaptor – Korea uses Type C & F plugs
- Phone with eSIM capability – For Saily eSIM
- Headphones – Long train rides between cities
🍱 Food & Dining
- Reusable chopsticks – Many street vendors use disposable ones
- Reusable container – For takeaway from buffets
- Vegan protein bars – Emergency snacks for Jeju
- Reusable water bottle – Stay hydrated exploring
📝 Communication
- Translation cards – “I’m vegan” in Korean (print our free PDF!)
- Small notebook – Write down restaurant names in Korean
- Saved offline maps – Naver Maps works offline
- Screenshot favourite phrases – Works when data is slow
👕 Practical Items
- Comfortable walking shoes – You’ll walk 10,000+ steps daily
- Small daypack – For restaurant hopping
- Hand sanitiser – Not all bathrooms have soap
- Tissues/wet wipes – Some restaurants don’t provide napkins
💡 Pro packer tip: Keep vegan snacks (protein bars, nuts) in your daypack at all times, especially for long days in Jeju where restaurants are spread out. I learned this the hard way after getting stuck on a bus for 3 hours!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easy to be vegan in South Korea?
In Seoul: Yes! Seoul has a thriving vegan scene with 50+ dedicated vegan restaurants. Elsewhere: Challenging but doable. Outside Seoul, options are limited but exist in most cities. Learn key Korean phrases and download Naver Maps. Always check ingredients as many “vegetarian” dishes contain fish sauce or anchovy broth.
How do I say “vegan” in Korean?
비건 (bigeon) or 채식주의자 (chaesikjuuija) means vegan. Also useful: “동물성 재료 없이 주세요” (dongmulseong jaeryo eobsi juseyo) = “Without animal ingredients, please.” Download these phrases or carry a translation card.
Is kimchi vegan in Korea?
Usually no. Traditional kimchi contains fish sauce, shrimp paste, or anchovy. However, vegan restaurants make kimchi without these ingredients. Always ask: “비건 김치 있어요?” (bigeon gimchi isseoyo?) = “Do you have vegan kimchi?”
Which Korean city is most vegan-friendly?
Seoul by a landslide. Seoul has 50+ vegan restaurants, followed distantly by Busan (10+), then Gyeongju (5), with Jeju Island having the fewest options (4). If you’re serious about vegan food, spend more time in Seoul.
Can I find vegan options at convenience stores?
Limited but possible. CU, GS25, and 7-Eleven stock some vegan options: plain kimbap (ask about ingredients), vegetable cup noodles (check labels), fruit, nuts, and some packaged snacks. Always read ingredients—many seemingly vegetarian items contain milk powder or bonito.
Do I need a rental car in Jeju as a vegan?
Highly recommended. Vegan restaurants in Jeju are spread across the island, far from each other and public transport. A rental car makes it much easier to reach places like Five Seventh and And Yu Cafe. Alternatively, use taxis or book accommodation very strategically.
What’s the average cost of a vegan meal in South Korea?
₩10,000-20,000 ($10-20 AUD) for most restaurants. Street food and buffets can be cheaper (₩3,000-8,000), while upscale places might be ₩20,000-30,000. Lunch sets are typically 20-30% cheaper than dinner. Overall, eating vegan in Korea is very affordable.
📱 Stay Connected in South Korea with eSIM
Forget hunting for SIM cards at the airport! Get instant mobile data with Saily eSIM before you even leave home. Perfect for navigating Naver Maps, booking restaurants, and staying in touch.
Why We Use Saily:
- Instant setup – Install before you fly, activate on arrival
- No SIM card needed – Works on eSIM-compatible phones
- Flexible plans – Pay only for what you need
- Keep your number – Your home SIM stays active
- 24/7 support – Help when you need it
🔒 Stay Safe & Access Home Services with VPN
Protect your data on public WiFi and access your home streaming services while in South Korea with NordVPN. Essential for cafe-hopping vegans using public networks!
Why You Need a VPN in Korea:
- Secure public WiFi – Safe browsing in cafes and restaurants
- Access home content – Watch Netflix, BBC iPlayer, etc.
- Banking security – Protect sensitive transactions
- Fast speeds – No lag when researching restaurants
- Works with Naver Maps – Full functionality maintained
30-day money-back guarantee
🛡️ Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
When exploring South Korea’s vegan food scene, protect yourself with comprehensive travel insurance. We use SafetyWing for all our travels—they cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost luggage.
🌟 Final Tips for Vegan Travel in South Korea
- Download Naver Maps before you arrive—Google Maps doesn’t work for navigation
- Learn these Korean phrases or carry a translation card (especially “비건”)
- Buddhist temples often serve vegan meals—look for temple stay programmes
- Happy Cow app is invaluable for finding vegan restaurants on the go
- Book accommodation near vegan restaurants in smaller cities like Gyeongju
- Call ahead in Jeju—restaurant hours can be very irregular
- Lunch sets are 20-30% cheaper than dinner at most restaurants
- Always ask about kimchi—traditional versions contain fish sauce
- Convenience stores work for emergencies but options are very limited
- Seoul spoils you—prepare for fewer options outside the capital
📍 Quick Summary by City
Seoul
Best vegan scene
Gyeongju
Temple food focus
Busan
Growing scene
Jeju
Plan ahead!
Last updated: January 2026. All restaurants personally tested during a 1-month trip to South Korea.
Important notes:
- Restaurant hours and menus subject to change. Always check current status before visiting.
- Prices are approximate and were accurate as of January 2026 (₩1,000 ≈ $1 AUD).
- Some restaurants may close unexpectedly—this is normal in Korea.
- Always confirm ingredients, especially for kimchi (often contains fish sauce).
- This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
- Google Maps doesn’t provide navigation in South Korea—use Naver Maps or Kakao Maps.
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