Vegan-Friendly Must-Tries
Vegan-Friendly Must-Tries
Some Korean dishes are more adaptable for vegans and vegetarians than others. These dishes are often plant-based at their core, but may still include animal-derived ingredients depending on how they are prepared.
Below are dishes that are commonly considered “vegan-friendly,” along with important notes on what to check before eating.
Bibimbap (비빔밥)
Category: Conditionally vegan
Rice mixed with vegetables. One of the easiest dishes to customise.
Notes
• Usually contains egg
• Gochujang may contain anchovy or fish extract
• Vegetable toppings may be seasoned with fish sauce
How to order
고기랑 계란 빼고, 고추장은 안 넣어 주세요.
Gogi-rang gyeran ppaego, gochujangeun an neoeo juseyo.
No meat, no egg, and no gochujang, please.
Temple Food (사찰 음식)
Category: Usually vegan
Buddhist cuisine designed to avoid meat, fish, garlic, and onions.
Notes
• Some dishes may include honey
• Some modern temple restaurants may use dairy
What to ask
이 음식에 꿀이나 유제품이 들어가나요?
I eumsige kkul-ina yujeppumi deureogannayo?
Does this contain honey or dairy?
Kimbap (김밥)
Category: Rarely vegan
Rice rolls wrapped in seaweed. Often mistaken as vegetarian.
Notes
• Commonly contains egg, fish cake, ham, or imitation crab
• Vegetables may be seasoned with fish sauce
How to ask
고기, 햄, 계란, 어묵 없는 김밥 있나요?
Gogi, haem, gyeran, eomuk eomneun gimbap innayo?
Do you have kimbap without meat, ham, egg, or fish cake?
Tteok (떡, rice cakes)
Category: Often vegan
Traditional Korean rice cakes made primarily from rice flour.
Notes
• Some varieties use honey or animal-based sweeteners
• Fillings may vary by region or shop
Safer choices
• 백설기 (Baekseolgi – plain white rice cake)
• 쑥떡 (Ssuk-tteok – mugwort rice cake)
Naengmyeon (냉면)
Category: Rarely vegan
Cold buckwheat noodles served in chilled broth or mixed with sauce.
Notes
• Broth is usually made from beef or dongchimi (radish water kimchi)
• Buckwheat noodles are often mixed with wheat flour
What to ask
이 냉면 육수에 고기나 해산물 들어가나요?
I naengmyeon yuksue gogi-na haesanmul deureogannayo?
Does the broth contain meat or seafood?
Dubu dishes (두부 요리)
Category: Conditionally vegan
Tofu-based dishes such as pan-fried tofu or cold tofu.
Notes
• Sauce often contains fish sauce or anchovy stock
• Sometimes served with meat-based side dishes
What to ask
두부 양념에 액젓이나 멸치 들어갔나요?
Dubu yangnyeome aekjeot-ina myeolchi deureogannayo?
Does the tofu sauce contain fish sauce or anchovies?
Namul (나물, seasoned vegetables)
Category: Conditionally vegan
Lightly seasoned vegetable side dishes served with most meals.
Notes
• Often seasoned with fish sauce or anchovy stock
• Some versions are purely salt and sesame oil
How to ask
이 나물에 액젓이나 멸치 들어갔나요?
I namure aekjeot-ina myeolchi deureogannayo?
Does this vegetable dish contain fish sauce or anchovies?