Seoul and Busan for plant-based foodies: our favourite vegetarian and vegan eats
Seoul is a city where sizzling barbecue, bubbling stews and fried chicken dominate the dining scene—but we found that it’s quietly become a haven for vegetarians and vegans. From traditional temple cuisine to inventive plant-based twists on Korean classics, there’s plenty to devour if you know where to look.
Busan, with its coastal charm, offers a smaller but equally intriguing selection of meat-free spots.
Whether you’re a committed vegan or just looking for a lighter option between street-food feasts, here’s how we ate very well without compromise. Yes — we even found vegan fried “chicken.”
Is Vegan Kitchen quietly one of the best vegan spots in Seoul? Try the fried “chicken”
Where to eat vegetarian & vegan in Seoul
Osegye Hyang
Tucked away in the winding alleyways of Insadong, this no-frills spot is always bustling. On a rainy Seoul afternoon, we took refuge here with a hearty vegan bulgogi—plant-based beef standing in for the traditional meat—and a lavish bibimbap fit for a king. Affordable, filling, and perfect for a casual meal.
Vegan Kitchen
Quietly one of the best vegan spots in Seoul? We think so. Just steps away from the bustle of Myeongdong, this Jongno District favourite is the kind of place you could eat at every day. The tteokbokki is spot on, the japchae is disarmingly good, and the crispy fried “chicken” bites are dangerously moreish—we could eat them by the bucketload.
Monk’s Butcher
A hidden gem in Dosan’s upscale shopping district, Monk’s Butcher serves refined yet approachable plant-based dishes. The menu changes seasonally, with house-made vegan cheeses and “meats” taking centre stage. Highlights from our visit included the lemon tofu “chicken,” lifted with honey mustard and dill, and a spring special of cold pasta with Korean melon and earthy spices.
Plant Café & Kitchen
Loved by international travellers, you’ll find a familiar Western cafe mix of bowls, burgers, cakes, and smoothies. Our server, recognising our accents, shared that he’d lived in Australia for a while — right around the corner from us. After the food, have a wander through Itaewon’s antique shops!
Vegan Insa
Tucked down a hanok alley in Ikseon‑dong, this spot was a delicious surprise. We absolutely stuffed ourselves on spicy vegan “chicken,” crispy dumplings, and some seriously good bulgogi. With its traditional surroundings, outdoor seating, and friendly, laid‑back service, it’s perfect for a Saturday night bite before diving into Insadong’s nightlife.
Taco Amigo
Finding good Mexican or Tex‑Mex while travelling is always a challenge, but Taco Amigo in Itaewon comes through with vegetarian and vegan options on chimichangas, burritos, fajitas, quesadillas, nachos, tacos, tostadas, and enchiladas. Wash it down with a domestic or imported beer, then take a 5–10 minute stroll to The Booth, Magpie, White Rabbit, or Chillhops for a craft brew nightcap. Before and/or after.
Plantude
This Pulmuone-run chain is dedicated to plant-based dining, with locations across Seoul. We stopped by the Starfield COEX Mall branch in Gangnam (after, of course, visiting the Instagrammable library) and were surprised by the sheer siz of the portions. Crispy deep-fried root vegetables, plump dumplings, and a massive potato croquette floating in thick, rich curry. It was more than enough to keep us fuelled for the day.
Other quick bites
Bakeries are everywhere for a quick carb hit—Ashville Bakery stood out, especially for its hash brown stack with avocado, and the viral Café Onion lived up to the hype. Pizza is always a safe bet too; we found ourselves enjoying a NY-style slice at No Idea Pizza. We even found vegan soybean ice cream on our trip to the DMZ!
We spent quite a bit of time in breweries and taprooms, and they also came through with vegetarian-friendly snacks. The Booth is famous for its pizza, Kiwa Taproom serves a generously sized hummus plate with veggie sticks and fries, and The Ranch Brewing had dangerously addictive garlic bread knots. Trust us, you won’t go hungry.
One of our favourite meals was at Café Siva in Yongsan District, a laid-back, incense-filled jazz café where we devoured Supreme Chilli Mushroom Fries with a sweet mayo glaze, deep-fried eggplants in hot sour sauce, and jjimdak loaded with glassy noodles and faux meats. We practically rolled ourselves to the airport after. Sadly, it closed its doors in July 2025, but it deserves an honourable mention.
🍺 Pairing your plant-based eats with a pint? Check out our Seoul Craft Beer Trail for the best local brews to wash it all down.
A taste of Busan
Royal India
We didn’t have long in Busan, but this spot deserves a mention. After a full day exploring Haedong Yonggunsa Temple and riding the Sky Capsules back to Haeundae, we stopped for drinks at Gorilla Brewing—and then accidentally stumbled onto some of the best Indian food we’ve had in years.
Caffeinated
Just a block from Yongdusan Park and Busan Tower, this laid-back café isn’t fully vegetarian or vegan, but it has enough options to proudly proclaim them on a sandwich board out front. We tried it for both afternoon tea and breakfast—the desserts and drinks definitely stole the show.
Other quick bites
Our top Busan travel tip? Hit up a supermarket near your hotel for easy breakfasts and snacks—you’ll save money and know exactly what’s in your food. For something more social, Galmegi Brewing Co. in Nampo (and other locations) serves up American-style pizza and bar snacks with good tunes.
We also enjoyed baked goods and tea with an ocean view at the punk rock–named Alice Donut in Cheongsan. And for the ultimate street food snack? Hotteok, a pancake-like treat filled with brown sugar, honey, chopped nuts, and cinnamon. Perfect for a one‑handed bite while wandering Gamcheon Culture Village or hopping the train to Busan.
What we want to try next time
Balwoo Gongyang - A Michelin starred restaurant following Buddhist traditions, right across the way from Jogyesa Temple.
Nammi Plant Lab - Plant-based cafe and vegan desserts bakery. Wait, why didn’t we go there?
London Bagel Museum - Another viral sensation that seemed to have waitlist just to get in the standby line every time we attempted it.
Vegenarang and Loving Hut (Busan) - Time didn’t permit these two, but they come with a solid reputation for those travelling to Busan.
Tips for travellers
Practical tips for plant-based travellers
- Learn key phrases: Some basic Korean goes a long way.
- On a budget? Find your local supermarket and stock up for breakfasts and day-trip lunches.
- Digital screens often make it easy to switch to your language and order at your own pace.
- Check HappyCow & Naver Maps: Smaller places won't be on Google Maps.
- Street food? Look for hotteok and sweet potato snacks: Easy vegetarian wins!
Last bites
Seoul and Busan can be known for barbecue and seafood, but there’s definitely a thriving vegetarian and vegan scene waiting just beyond the obvious. We never felt like we were missing out. Next trip, we’ll be making room for more hanok‑hidden cafés, temple kitchens — and maybe one more plate of japchae.
Got a favourite vegan or vegetarian spot in Korea? Let us know—because we’re always hungry.
