The Hidden Haven of Plant-Based Feast: Rediscovering Korean Veganism
In many parts of the world, veganism is highly recognized, and restaurants naturally provide well-curated vegan menus. Relatively speaking, South Korea might seem like it lacks a prominent, mainstream awareness of vegetarianism compared to other cultures.
However, this doesn’t mean we don’t embrace it. In fact, it actually made me wonder: Could it be that we don’t strictly categorize “vegan food” because our everyday cuisine is already so naturally plant-based?
When you look at a traditional Korean meal, the foundations are built on steamed rice, a colorful array of seasoned wild vegetables (namul), roasted seaweed, kimchi, and comforting stews like doenjang-jjigae (fermented soybean paste stew) or miyeok-guk (seaweed soup).
Because of this, vegetarian travelers visiting Korea are often pleasantly shocked by the sheer variety of complex, savory, and deep flavors they can experience without a single trace of meat.
Today, I want to shatter the stereotype of boring, cold salads and introduce you to some incredible vegetarian-friendly dining spots in Seongsu-dong where you can experience the true depth of plant-based Korean cuisine!
The ‘Subway’ of Korean Soul Food: ‘EPIKORE’ (에피코어)
The first destination on our plant-based tour of Seongsu-dong is EPIKORE (에피코어), a place I like to call the “Subway of Korean food.”
Just like how you customize your sandwich at Subway, EPIKORE allows you to build your own gorgeous Korean warm bowls or wrap plates (ssambap) completely from scratch. You start with a healthy base like nutrient-dense brown rice, and then pile it high with an incredible variety of traditional, savory Korean mountain vegetables (namul), roasted mushrooms, and grilled tofu.
Because every single ingredient is laid out for you to choose, vegetarian and vegan diners have 100% control over their meal. You can easily bypass any meat toppings and instead load up on fiber-rich, umami-packed plant ingredients, finishing it off with their delectable vegan-friendly dressings. It is clean, incredibly satisfying, and proves that fast-casual healthy food can carry the deep, comforting soul of traditional Korean cuisine.
Tailor-Made Kimbap & Street Food Joy: ‘funnytogue’ (퍼니텅)
For a more casual, classic Korean comfort food experience, make your way to funnytogue (퍼니텅). This vibrant spot is perfect for trying Korea’s ultimate grab-and-go meal: Kimbap (김밥 — Seaweed Rice Rolls).
While I personally opted for their fluffy egg-filled (jidan) kimbap alongside a hot bowl of ramyeon, here is an important insider tip for strict vegans: skip the standard instant ramyeon! Even if it seems meat-free, the savory soup packets of regular Korean instant ramyeon almost always contain animal-derived powder or bone broth concentrates.
Instead, focus entirely on their customizable Kimbap! Since the core of a good kimbap consists of fresh carrots, crisp cucumbers, pickled radish, and seasoned spinach, it is naturally incredibly vegetarian-friendly. If you follow a strict vegan diet (excluding eggs), simply request a roll made without the egg strip. It is a hearty, colorful, and completely guilt-free roll of pure vegetable goodness!
Sweet, Spicy, and Plant-Based: Give Tteokbokki a Try!
To pair with your custom kimbap, I highly recommend ordering a side of Tteokbokki (떡볶이 — Spicy Rice Cakes). While I don’t have a photo of it here, this chewy, sweet, and spicy street food staple is a must-try. Just double-check with the friendly staff to ensure it is cooked in a clean veggie broth rather than an anchovy or beef base, and you will have the absolute quintessential Korean soul food pairing ready to go!
Nature’s Fizzy Elixir: ‘Jukyeojuneun Dongchimi-guksu’
Next up, let’s awaken your taste buds with a bowl of ice-cold, refreshing noodles at Jukyeojuneun Dongchimi-guksu (죽여주는 동치미국수). The star of the show here is Dongchimi (동치미 — Radish Water Kimchi), a traditional Korean culinary masterpiece that is naturally, inherently 100% vegan.
Unlike many savory Korean noodle soups that rely on dried anchovies (myeolchi) or beef broth as their base, Dongchimi broth is created purely through the natural fermentation of Korean white radish, water, salt, garlic, ginger, and sweet pears. The result? A beautifully clear, sparkling, and tangy broth with a natural fizz that rivals any carbonated drink.
When you submerge tender, chewy wheat noodles (somyeon) into this icy elixir and top it with crisp slices of fermented radish, you get a cold noodle dish that is incredibly deep in flavor, light on the stomach, and entirely plant-based. It is a brilliant showcase of how traditional Korean preservation techniques create world-class vegan dishes without trying to mimic meat.
Chew on This: Pillowy Udon & Hidden Delights at ‘Snackbar Nonde’
Naturally, noodle dishes are often the safest and most satisfying options when searching for vegan-friendly meals. Along with cold noodles, a warm bowl of thick, chewy Udon is always an excellent choice!
For this, I highly recommend a cozy little spot called Snackbar Nonde (스낵바 논데). I initially stumbled upon this place in the evening for a cheeky highball—and trust me, their highballs are absolutely top-tier!
The space is intimate and small, giving it a lovely, whimsical neighborhood pub vibe at night. I loved it so much that I returned a few days later for lunch, only to discover they serve incredible lunch menus featuring springy, perfectly udon noodles.
(Quick tip for strict vegans: traditional udon broths often utilize a fish-based ‘dashi’ or bonito flakes, so be sure to opt for a dry, sauced-style noodle or double-check the broth ingredients!)
A Bonus for Pescatarians & Inside Tips!
For those of you who follow a pescatarian diet (vegetarians who eat seafood), ordering one of their fresh sushi sets alongside the hot udon will make for an incredibly hearty, satisfying feast.
One last piece of insider advice before you head out: the exterior of Snackbar Nonde is so unassuming that you might easily walk right past it, or mistake it for being closed. Don’t be fooled! They officially swing their doors open starting at 12:00 PM, so make sure to plan your lunch visit accordingly and look closely for this hidden gem!
The Ultimate Accidental Vegan Masterpiece: A True Local’s Bibimbap
To wrap up our journey, let’s talk about a dish that is the absolute epitome of plant-based dining: Bibimbap (비빔밥). Is there really any other dish in the world that offers such a vibrant, harmonious explosion of flavors using only vegetables?
Our final destination is a rustic, retro diner (nopo) that feels like a step back in time. Instead of catering to tourists, this hidden gem is packed daily with local office workers who know exactly where to find the best comfort food.
Bibimbap is traditionally a bowl of warm rice topped with a colorful array of seasoned mountain herbs, completed with a generous swirl of nutty sesame oil and spicy gochujang (chili paste). Interestingly, some might find this particular diner a tiny bit “stingy” because they don’t even top their bibimbap with a fried egg! But as it turns out, this culinary omission is a blessing in disguise: it makes the dish an absolute, naturally 100% strict vegan masterpiece!
The Local Secret: The Golden Spoonful of Stew
When you order this humble bowl of bibimbap, it automatically comes served with a bubbling, deep-flavored Doenjang-jjigae (된장찌개 — Fermented Soybean Paste Stew) on the side.
Here is the ultimate local pro-tip: before you start mixing, scoop a generous spoonful of that savory, hot stew broth directly into your rice bowl. It adds a wonderful depth of savory umami and makes the rice and wild greens glide together beautifully as you mix them up. It’s warm, satisfying, and proof that the most authentic Korean meals are already beautifully aligned with the spirit of veganism.
Nourish Your Body, Delight Your Soul: The Beauty of Korean Veganism
Did any of the delicious dishes I shared today catch your eye?
If you are a vegan or vegetarian traveler, please don’t stress too much about finding the perfect dining spot. As long as you are in a place that serves authentic Korean food, you will naturally find plenty of incredible, plant-based options waiting for you!
I wish you a wonderfully healthy, satisfying, and delicious meal in Seongsu-dong. Once you’ve fueled up on these amazing dishes, don’t forget to head over to the beautiful cafes I introduced in my previous post to wrap up your day with a perfect cup of coffee! Enjoy your stay, eat well, and stay healthy!
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