Vegan in Seoul
Korean temple cuisine (사찰음식) is fully plant-based and increasingly visible, and banchan culture means a meal can be assembled from vegetable side dishes. The obstacles are anchovy stock, fish sauce in kimchi and egg garnishes.
Plant-based friendliness
70
Dishes that are already plant-based
Temple bibimbap
Rice with seasoned vegetables, no egg or meat.
Vegan kimchi
Made without fish sauce or salted shrimp.
Kongguksu
Chilled soy-milk noodle soup.
Market staples
RiceTofuSoybean pasteSeaweedSesamePerilla
Phrases to use
- Jeoneun bigeonieyo
- I am vegan.
- Myeolchi yuksu ppaejuseyo
- Without anchovy stock, please.
Watch out for
- Anchovy stock in almost every soup
- Fish sauce and shrimp in kimchi
- Egg garnish on rice dishes
Questions people ask
Is standard kimchi vegan?
Usually not — most commercial kimchi contains fish sauce or salted shrimp. Temple and labelled vegan kimchi are available.