5 vegetarian spots across South Korea, editor-picked. All South Korea guides.
Temple Food Restaurant (Jogyesa) ★ 4.4 · Seoul
Jongno and Insadong · 5F, Templestay Information Center, 56 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Jogyesa Buddhist temple food restaurant in Seoul serves plant-based meals, excluding the five pungent roots: garlic, onion, chive, leeks, spring onion.
Pyeonhan Jipbap ★ 4.2 · Busan
Buk-gu · 28-10 Mandeok 3-ro, Buk-gu, Busan
Pyeonhan Jipbap serves meat-free Korean table settings in Busan's Mandeok, doenjang pots, seasoned namul and dumpling sets without any meat stock.
Tip: Vegans and vegetarians can both order freely here; say so and the kitchen adjusts the sides.
Plant Cafe Itaewon ★ 4.2 · Seoul
Itaewon and Hannam · 117 Bogwang-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Plant Cafe is Seoul's most established plant-based restaurant, operating in Itaewon since 2013 with a devout local following for its vegan comfort food menu.
Or Whatever ★ 4.0 · Busan
Seomyeon and Jeonpo · 33 Jeonpo-daero 186beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan
Or Whatever gives vegetarians real choices at brunch in Jeonpo, Busan, an Australian-style kitchen that lists meat-free plates as headliners.
Tip: The veggie big breakfast is a complete plate, not a side collection; mornings are calmest.
Maru Jayeonsik Kimbap ★ 4.0 · Seoul
Jongno and Insadong · 3-20 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Maru Jayeonsik Kimbap serves natural-ingredient Korean food with a focus on vegetarian-friendly gimbap, bibimbap, and side dishes made without meat.