Dongdaemun Bonga Seolleongtang is a korean traditional restaurant in Dongdaemun, Seoul.
Near Dongdaemun Fashion Market, Bonga cooks its seolleongtang in a traditional gamasot (iron cauldron) from ten beef cuts for 24 hours straight.
Signature dishes: Seolleongtang
Must order: Gamasot seolleongtang: broth from ten different beef cuts, slow-cooked in a traditional cast-iron pot for 24 hours until opaque and silky.
Tip: The 24-hour schedule means this is Seoul's best post-midnight beef broth bowl.
Address: 6-1 Majang-ro 43-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Plant Cafe and Kitchen in Itaewon is one of Seoul's most established fully vegan restaurants, running a menu of American-leaning comfort food alongside.
Signature: Vegan burgers, Salad bowls
Order: Plant burger with house-made patty, fresh aioli and seasonal greens, proving the Korean vegan scene has moved well past tofu.
Tip: The Yeonnam branch at 87 World Cup buk-ro 4-gil, Mapo-gu is closer to Hongdae.
Vegan Insa in Ikseon-dong Hanok Village serves fully plant-based Korean food in a traditional courtyard house, including vegan bibimbap and banchan spreads.
Signature: Vegan bibimbap, Korean banchan
Order: Vegan bibimbap: the full Korean banchan spread reimagined without animal products, served in a hanok courtyard house in Ikseon-dong.
Tip: The outdoor courtyard seats fill quickly on warm evenings; weekday lunch is the quietest window.
ByTOFU is a vegan cafe and bakery in Yongsan serving Western-style pastries and cafe food without any animal products, rated among Seoul's top vegan spots.
Signature: Vegan pastries, Plant-based cafe menu
Order: Seasonal plant-based baked goods: the cafe changes its menu with produce availability, making it a reliable single-origin stop for vegan pastries.
Tip: Popular on weekends; arrive mid-morning for the full pastry range before sellout.
Legume is Asia's first Michelin-starred vegan restaurant, chef Sung Si-woo's one-star room in Gangnam delivering a plant-based tasting menu built.
Signature: Vegan tasting menu
Order: Seasonal vegan tasting menu: the only fully vegan restaurant in Korea to receive a Michelin star, serving a plant-based progression that references Korean fermentation throughout.
Tip: Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead; the room is small and evening reservations fill within hours of opening.
EID Halal Korean Food on Usadan-ro is one of Seoul's most respected halal restaurants, operated by a Korean Muslim family serving authentic Korean cuisine.
Signature: Halal Korean BBQ, Bibimbap
Order: Halal Korean BBQ platter: marinated beef and chicken prepared according to Islamic dietary law by a Korean Muslim family who have run the restaurant for years.
Tip: The Itaewon mosque area on Usadan-ro has the densest concentration of halal restaurants in South Korea.
Alt.a between Itaewon and Hannam-dong delivers a vegan Korean-Chinese menu playing off jjajangmyeon and mapo traditions without meat, fish or dairy.
Signature: Korean-Chinese vegan dishes
Order: Vegan mapo tofu: soft silken tofu in an intensely flavoured gochugaru and doubanjiang sauce, plant-based and bolder than most.
Tip: The set lunch is significantly cheaper than ordering a la carte.