The Complete Vegan Food Guide to South Korea (2026)
30+ tested restaurants across Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan & Jeju — from temple food to vegan fried chicken
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 found 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. A fee-free travel card also saves you a surprising amount over a month — more on that below.
🏙️ 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 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, there’s something for every plant-based eater. The neighbourhoods of Insadong, Hongdae, Itaewon and Gangnam are particularly vegan-friendly.
1. Maru (마루)
🌱 100% VeganKimchi quesadilla (trust me!), tofu bibimbap, kimbap. Casual vibe in the heart of Insadong.
Hours: Tue–Sun 10:30am–7pm (kitchen closed 3–5pm)
2. Osegye Hyang (오세계향)
🌱 100% VeganHidden down a stunning alley. Amazing vegan bibimbap & fried “chicken.” Electronic menus.
Hours: Mon–Wed & Fri–Sun 11:30am–9pm
3. Bread Blue Vegan Bakery
🌱 VeganIncredible mango cake, pizza, pastries and great coffee. Sweet-tooth paradise.
Hours: Mon–Sat 10am–8:30pm, Sun 9am–8:30pm
4. Plant Cafe
🌱 VeganVegan burgers, sandwiches, wraps and smoothies. Pricey but big portions.
Hours: Tue–Sun 11am–10pm
5. Gwanjang Market Stall A11
🥬 Vegan OptionsNetflix fame! Mungbean pancakes, tteokbokki, mandu. Cheap & authentic. Cash only.
Hours: Daily 12pm–11pm
6. Slunch Factory
🌱 Mostly VeganThe pizza is outstanding — melted cheese, homemade pepperoni. Cosy atmosphere.
Hours: Mon–Fri 11am–10pm, Sat–Sun 11am–11pm
7. Nammi Plant Lab
🌱 VeganFluffy gnocchi, pasta, pizza, paella. Craft beer & wine. Visit Geobukyi (Turtle Cafe) nearby for desserts!
Hours: Mon–Fri 12–4pm & 5:30–9pm, Sat–Sun 12–9pm
8. Veg Green Buffet
🌱 All-You-Can-EatMy favourite buffet! Kimbap, tteokbokki, fried mushrooms, mock meats. Sweet owner.
Hours: Daily 12–2:30pm & 6–9pm
9. Loving Hut
🌱 Vegan ChainThe spicy soy fried chicken is INCREDIBLE. Tofu stew, pizza. Small grocery shop. WiFi available.
Hours: Daily 11am–9pm
10. STYLEVEGAN
🌱 VeganThe 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 BakeryCookies, tarts, vegan bingsu (shaved-ice dessert). Cosy. Two locations.
Hours: Tue–Sun 12–8pm
🌟 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% VeganSet menu recommended! Kimchi stew, tofu bibimbap, japchae. 30-min walk from centre through countryside.
Hours: Daily 12–9pm (call ahead)
2. Cafe Vege Bakery
🥬 Vegan OptionsClearly marked vegan menu. Bean steak lunch, wraps, salads, fresh bread. Lovely owner.
Hours: Daily 10am–9pm
3. Hyangjeok Won (향적원)
⚠️ Check KimchiSet menu for two. Fresh, healthy temple food. NOTE: mixed reports on whether the kimchi contains fish sauce — ask!
Hours: Daily 11am–9pm
4. Smells Like Bread
🌱 Vegan & GFVegan AND gluten-free — a rare find. Muffins, croissants, brownies, sandwiches. Wonderful staff.
Hours: Mon–Sat 8am–6pm
5. Lotteria
🍔 Fast FoodRia 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 diversity.
1. Dajeon
🌱 100% VeganHidden gem on the 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% VeganAMAZING 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/VeganLittle 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% VeganStunning 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 — see our full guide to renting a car in Jeju for the licence rules and how to book. That said, 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% VeganBest restaurant on the island! Dudumchic (vegan chicken), tteokbokki, pasta, burgers, amazing cakes. Car recommended.
Hours: Fri–Tue 12–7pm, Wed 12–4pm
2. And 유 Yu Cafe Hyeopjae
🌱 VeganIncredible burgers! Also chicken nuggets, salads, chickpea curry, soy lattes, vegan cakes. Cosy atmosphere.
Hours: Thu–Mon 12–7pm (closed Tue & Wed)
3. Taco Massim
🥬 Vegan OptionsServes meat but has vegan options. Owner speaks English and understands veganism. Fresh tacos with salsa.
Hours: Daily 12–8pm
4. Rajmahal Indian Restaurant
🥬 Vegetarian OptionsA break from Korean food! Chana masala, dahl, vegetable biryani. Vegan options available on request.
Hours: Daily 11:30am–11pm
Check out our complete 14-day South Korea itinerary covering Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan and Jeju — with daily plans, transport info and accommodation recommendations perfect for plant-based travellers. For getting online, see the best eSIM for South Korea guide too.
🏨 Book a stay near the vegan clusters
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
- eSIM-capable phone — for a Saily eSIM (below)
- Headphones — long train rides between cities
💳 Money & dining
- Fee-free travel card — Australians: Up Bank or Wise (no FX fees over a month of eating out)
- Some cash — Gwanjang Market & small spots are cash-only
- Reusable container — for buffet takeaway
- Vegan protein bars — emergency snacks for Jeju
📝 Communication
- Translation card — “I’m vegan” in Korean
- Small notebook — write restaurant names in Korean
- Offline maps — Naver Maps works offline
- Screenshot key phrases — works when data is slow
👕 Practical items
- Comfortable 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 dozens of 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 — 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.” Carry these on 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. Always ask: “비건 김치 있어요?” (bigeon gimchi isseoyo?) = “Do you have vegan kimchi?”
Which Korean city is most vegan-friendly?
Seoul by a landslide, with dozens of vegan restaurants — followed distantly by Busan, then Gyeongju, with Jeju Island having the fewest options. 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 from public transport. A rental car makes it much easier to reach places like Five Seventh and And Yu Cafe. Otherwise, use taxis or book accommodation very strategically. For the full how-to — including the International Driving Permit you’ll need — read our guide to renting a car in Jeju.
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 an eSIM
Forget hunting for SIM cards at the airport. Get instant mobile data with Saily eSIM before you 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 physical SIM needed — works on eSIM-compatible phones
- Flexible plans — pay only for what you need
- Keep your number — your home SIM stays active
- Made by NordVPN — a provider that isn’t going to vanish
Compare the alternatives in our best eSIM for South Korea guide.
🔒 Stay safe on public WiFi
Protect your data on cafe and restaurant WiFi, and access your home streaming services while in South Korea, with NordVPN — handy for cafe-hopping vegans bouncing between networks all day.
Why a VPN in Korea:
- Secure public WiFi — safe browsing in cafes and restaurants
- Access home content — Netflix, ABC iView, BBC iPlayer, etc.
- Banking security — protect sensitive transactions
- Fast speeds — no lag when researching restaurants
- Same parent company as Saily — one subscription covers 10 devices
30-day money-back guarantee
🛡️ Don’t forget travel insurance
When exploring South Korea’s vegan food scene, protect yourself with travel cover. We use SafetyWing — medical emergencies, trip cancellations and lost luggage, flexible enough to buy even mid-trip.
Get SafetyWing insurance →Not sure what cover you need? See our best travel insurance for backpackers guide.
- Download Naver Maps before you arrive — Google Maps doesn’t work for navigation
- Learn key Korean phrases or carry a translation card (especially “비건”)
- Buddhist temples often serve vegan meals — look for temple-stay programmes
- The 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: June 2026. All restaurants personally tested during a one-month trip to South Korea.
Important notes:
- Restaurant hours and menus are subject to change — always check current status before visiting.
- Prices are approximate and were accurate at the time of writing (₩1,000 ≈ $1 AUD; rates move).
- 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. If you book or sign up through them, we may earn a small 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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