Writer: MANU SINGH
Editor: SHIVRAJ PATEL
Korean cuisine (HANSIK) and veganism are almost made for each other .The majority of Korea is covered by mountains, which meant numerous herbs and plants lay around for ancient Koreans to gather and cook .In addition Buddhism was Korea’s state religion for a thousand years,from the three kingdoms period up until the foundation of Josean , which drove the advancement of vegetarian menus in the peninsula .Korean meat dishes can be easily converted to vegetarian dishes . Just replace meat soup with vegetable soup and meat with various vegetables, and the result would be wildly different from their familiar taste.
Picture Credit: KIKKOMAN
Veganism offers a chance to rediscover various ingredients. In HANSIK beans, bean curd, mushrooms, carrots and eggplants are usually used as side ingredients or side dishes. Vegan Korean dishes elevate their status to main ingredients, adding new textures and flavors to familiar dishes.
This article lists eateries located in South Korea serving different vegan menus catering to your health and tastebuds at the same time, not only for vegetarians but also for people looking for healthy and safe meals.
1. A FLOER BLOSSOM ON THE RICE
(꽃, 밥에피다)
Eco-friendly ingredients cooked with great care
Launched in 2015 in Insa -dong,Jongno-gu, A Flower Blossom on the Rice received a Green Star from the Michelin Guide Seoul (given to restaurantscommitted to using locally grown organic food and energy consumption reduction) in 2020 and 2021.The restaurant offers dishes made with various eco-friendly ingredients from across Korea. The restaurant’s most popular menu is the most Cherished “FLOWER RICE”,a set menu of six vegetarian dishes, including organic rice cooked with goatsbeard (famous for offering three flavors at once: fatsia shoots, ginseng and meat) and desserts. Also popular is BOJAGI BIBIMBAP, a mixed rice dish in a fine-looking egg wrap.
2. OSEGYEHYANG
(오세계향)
Enjoy the restaurant’s alternative meat
Osegyehyang offers living proof that HANSIK dishes can be converted into vegan options with a slight variation of ingredients. The restaurant provides “FIRE-ROASTED MEAT LEAF WRAPS AND RICE”and “VEGAN STEAK SET MENU”,all cooked with alternative meat with a flavor, aroma, and texture close to the real thing. Made with Korean beans and traditional-style seasoned soybean paste, the “SOFT BEAN CURD SEASONED SOYBEAN PASTE BIBIMBAP” appeals to people of all preferences. The restaurant is located in Insa-dong, an area many foreign tourists visit, and the place provides English menus for them.
3. MAJI
(마지)
From vegetarian cuisine to temple and halal food
Maji serves Korea’s traditional vegetarian cuisine as well as temple food without five spicy vegetables (garlic, green onion, chive, wild chive, and Chines squill) and halal food. The owner, who majored in religion, designed the place as a restaurant for people of diverse religious beliefs. That is why the President’s Office and national embassies have meal boxes delivered from Maji for various occasions. The dishes are seasoned with self-made seasonings and grain syrup fermented for over 2-3 years. For first -timers we recommend the “ALCHAN COURSE” menu which consists of the restaurant’s signature Royal Hot Pot and Platter of Nine Delicacies.
4. PARC
(빠르크)
A famous homestyle restaurant in Hannam-dong
Located in Hannam-dong, Parc is a local restaurant with a long history that serves homestyle meals consisting of steamed rice, soup and assorted side dishes on a tray. Add a clean-cut design to the mix, and you get a trendy restaurant frequently visited by top celebrities. Parc distances itself from flashy flavors and instead serves homestyle meals offering subtle tastes without any chemical seasoning, just the way mom used to make. The restaurant offers two vegan menus: “7 HERBS IN A BOWL” and “GRILLED HOENGSEONG DEODEOK AND SHIITAKE AND KING OYSTER MUSHROOMS”. You can choose between small and large portions for all menus, which are served with 100% brown rice. If you want you can ask the staff to replace it with white rice.
5. NANPO
(난포)
Fusion Korean cuisines with unique combinations of ingredients
Nanpo is a restaurant popularized by its fusion Korean cuisines inspired by the dishes grandma used to make. The retro-style interior reminds visitors of old rural houses, with large glass bottles filled with liquor and pickled vegetables demanding attention in a corner. The “LEAF WRAP AND RICE WITH SEASONED SOYBEAN PASTE,” served with rice balls wrapped in kale leaves and boiled soybean paste with crumbled bean curd,and the “AGED KIMCHI ROLL WITH SEASONAL SLICES RAW FISH” are two of the must eat menus at the restaurant. The crispy “SHRIMP AND POTATAO PANCAKE” cooked with dried shrimp and potato topped with coddled egg and cheese powder is best enjoyed with a shot of liquor. The restaurant offers a wide selection of traditional liquor including Goheung Yuja Wine,Solsonju,Omregisul,and Boksoondoga Unrefined Rice Wine, once selected by the Blue house for an official banquet. The restaurant has opened a branch in Hannam-dong.
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