Vegetarian Guide to Eating in Korea
Vegetarian Guide to Eating in Korea
Korea is a meat-lover's paradise — but that doesn't mean vegetarians are out of luck.
Eating vegetarian in Korea takes a little extra effort, but it's absolutely possible. The key is knowing what to watch out for — because the biggest traps aren't always obvious. Many dishes that look vegetarian on the surface contain anchovy broth, fish sauce, or seafood-based stock underneath.
This guide will help you navigate Korean menus confidently, avoid the common pitfalls, and find genuinely great vegetarian and vegan food.
The Reality of Vegetarian Eating in Korea
First, an honest heads-up: in Korea, "no meat" and "vegetarian" don't always mean the same thing. Many Korean cooks understand "no meat" as "no beef, pork, or chicken" — but may not think to exclude anchovy broth, clam stock, shrimp paste, or fish sauce, which appear in a huge range of Korean soups, stews, and kimchi.
If you're a strict vegetarian or vegan, the cooking method matters just as much as the ingredients you can see. Ordering skills will be your most important tool.
We learned this the hard way — ordering what looked like a vegetable soup, only to find out later the broth was made with anchovies. It's one of the most common surprises for vegetarian visitors, and this guide is here to help you avoid it.
Menu Safety Guide: What to Order (and What to Ask)
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|
| Dish | Vegetarian-Friendly? | What to Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| 비빔밥 (Bibimbap) | ⚠️ Often (order vegetable-only) | Ask to remove beef/raw egg topping; broth in sauce may vary |
| 잡채 (Japchae) | ⚠️ Sometimes | Often contains beef — ask first |
| 순두부찌개 (Sundubu Jjigae) | ⚠️ Often not | Most places use anchovy or clam broth |
| 된장찌개 (Doenjang Jjigae) | ⚠️ Often not | Usually made with anchovy or beef broth |
| 야채김밥 (Vegetable Gimbap) | ✅ Usually | Stick to 야채김밥 (vegetable roll) — tuna/ham versions are common |
| 파전 (Pajeon) | ⚠️ Usually ok | Order 야채전 (vegetable pancake) — seafood versions are common |
| 사찰음식 (Temple Food) | ✅ Yes (mostly) | No meat, fish, or pungent vegetables — see note below |
A Note on Temple Food (사찰음식)
Korean Buddhist temple food is one of the most genuinely vegetarian-friendly options in the country. It excludes meat, fish, eggs, and even pungent vegetables like garlic and green onion (called 오신채, the five forbidden vegetables).
However, if you follow a strict vegan diet, note that some modern temple food restaurants may use dairy (butter, milk) or honey in certain dishes. Temple food is best described as plant-based and strictly vegetarian — but worth a quick check if you're fully vegan.
The Anchovy Broth Problem
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| Korea anchovy broth problem vegetarian guide 2026 멸치육수 myeol-chi yuk-su clam beef pork broth hidden ingredients seaweed soup 미역국 doenjang jjigae 된장찌개 sundubu 순두부찌개 essential Korean phrases 저는 채식주의자예요 vegetable broth 야채 육수 no fish sauce 멸치액젓 foreigners critical guide Seoul |
This is the most important thing to know: Korean soups and stews are almost always made with anchovy, clam, beef, or pork broth — even dishes that contain only vegetables on top.
Soups like 미역국 (seaweed soup), 된장찌개 (soybean paste stew), and 순두부찌개 (soft tofu stew) often look vegetarian but aren't. The same goes for many noodle broths.
When in doubt, always ask specifically about the broth — not just the toppings.
What About Kimchi?
A very common question: is kimchi vegetarian?
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| Korea kimchi vegetarian status guide 2026 traditional kimchi 전통 김치 salted shrimp 새우젓 saeujeot fish sauce 멸치액젓 myeolchi aekjeot NOT vegetarian vegan kimchi 비건 김치 specialty stores hidden seafood ingredients anchovy broth 멸치육수 clam stock 조개육수 shrimp paste foreigners warning guide Seoul |
Traditional kimchi is made with salted shrimp (새우젓, saeujeot) and/or fish sauce (멸치액젓, myeolchi aekjeot) — making it non-vegetarian by strict standards. Some restaurants and store brands now offer vegan kimchi (비건 김치), but it's not the default. If kimchi matters to your diet, it's worth asking.
Useful Korean Phrases
Don't rely on "채식주의자예요" (I'm a vegetarian) alone — many staff won't know to exclude fish broth or sauce. Be specific:
| What You Want to Say | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I'm vegetarian | 저는 채식주의자예요 | Jeo-neun chae-sik-ju-ui-ja-ye-yo |
| I don't eat meat | 저는 고기 안 먹어요 | Jeo-neun go-gi an meo-geo-yo |
| Please remove the meat | 고기 빼 주세요 | Go-gi bbae ju-se-yo |
| Does this contain anchovy broth? | 멸치 육수 들어가요? | Myeol-chi yuk-su deu-reo-ga-yo? |
| Can you make it with vegetable broth? | 야채 육수로 해 주실 수 있어요? | Ya-chae yuk-su-ro hae ju-sil su i-sseo-yo? |
| No fish sauce, please | 멸치액젓 빼 주세요 | Myeol-chi aek-jeot bbae ju-se-yo |
The broth question is especially important. Saying "고기 빼 주세요" (remove the meat) alone will often not communicate that you also want the broth changed.
Where to Find Vegetarian Food in Korea
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| Korea vegetarian vegan restaurants app guide 2026 Seoul PLANT Itaewon 100% vegan Vegan Kitchen Jung-gu Korean-style byTOFU Hannam tofu brunch Jeju Veggie's temple food 사찰음식 Insadong 인사동 HappyCow app convenience store 편의점 vegetable gimbap 야채김밥 foreigners practical finding guide Seoul |
Convenience Stores (편의점)
Not ideal, but workable in a pinch. Look for 야채김밥 (vegetable gimbap), 삼각김밥 with vegetable fillings, and instant cup noodles labeled "vegetarian" or "non-meat." Always check the label.
Vegan Cafes and Restaurants
The scene has grown significantly, especially in Seoul:
- PLANT (Itaewon, Seoul) — 100% vegan cafe and restaurant; burgers, pasta, bowls, and desserts in a welcoming, international-friendly atmosphere
- Vegan Kitchen (Jung-gu, Seoul) — Korean-style vegan food including bibimbap, tteokbokki, and vegan fried chicken
- byTOFU (Hannam, Seoul) — tofu-based brunch and cafe, relaxed atmosphere
- Jeju Veggie's (Jeju) — 100% vegan restaurant with dishes using local Jeju ingredients
Temple Food Restaurants
Search "사찰음식" (sachal eumsik) on Naver Maps or Google Maps — you'll find options in most major cities. Insadong in Seoul has several temple food restaurants that welcome non-Buddhists.
Apps to Help You Find Options
HappyCow is the most widely used app for finding vegan and vegetarian restaurants worldwide — and it has a solid Korea listing. Search by city and filter by vegan, vegetarian, or "has vegan options."
FAQ
Q: Is bibimbap vegetarian? It depends. Traditional bibimbap often includes a beef topping (불고기 or 육회) and a fried egg. However, if you ask for it without meat and egg (고기랑 계란 빼 주세요), many restaurants will accommodate. The safest version to order is 산채비빔밥 (mountain vegetable bibimbap), which is naturally closer to vegetarian.
Q: Is anchovy broth considered vegetarian? By strict vegetarian and vegan standards, no. Anchovy, clam, shrimp, and other seafood-based stocks are animal products. Since these broths appear in many Korean dishes, always ask specifically about the broth — not just the toppings.
Q: How do I find temple food restaurants? Search "사찰음식" on Naver Maps, Google Maps, or Kakao Maps. Insadong (Seoul) is a good starting area. You can also search for specific temples that run public dining halls — some well-known Buddhist temples offer vegetarian meals open to visitors.
Q: Is Korean kimchi vegan? Most traditional kimchi contains salted shrimp or fish sauce, so it is not vegan or strictly vegetarian. Vegan kimchi (비건 김치) is available in some specialty stores and vegan restaurants, but it is not the default. When in doubt, ask before eating.
You Can Eat Well Here — Just Come Prepared
Vegetarian and vegan eating in Korea requires a bit more planning than in some other countries, but the options are growing — especially in Seoul and popular tourist destinations. Know the broth question, learn a few phrases, and use HappyCow to find dedicated spots.
Related posts:
- Korean Menu Guide: How to Read Common Food Words — decode any Korean menu before you order
- A Foreigner's Guide to Korean Street Food — what's safe and what to skip at the street stalls
- Halal Food in Korea: Where to Find It — for Muslim travelers navigating Korean food
Have a vegetarian or vegan tip from your time in Korea? Share it in the comments.
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