Five vegan restaurants for the hungry Seoul student

A cup of espresso with a vegan cookie at Heat Harue close to Korea College in Seongbuk District, central Seoul [ISABELLE PIA SISON]

 
“It obtained to the purpose that I couldn’t discover something to eat,” mentioned 22-year-old Courtney Jones from america, recalling when she first got here to Korea as an trade pupil.
 
“So, once I got here again to Korea for my grasp’s diploma, I used to be pondering that I can’t do that for 2 years and it’s not going to be wholesome in the long term.”
 
Jones has been a vegetarian for eight years, a straightforward life-style to take care of in her residence nation. However when she first got here to Korea, issues obtained so troublesome that she had no alternative however to go pescatarian. 
 
Vegetarian college students, like Jones, typically wrestle to regulate to the meals tradition in Korea, particularly in the event that they’re dwelling on campus the place universities not often supply vegetarian choices. This will push vegetarian college students to begin to keep away from social occasions, nights out and faculty golf equipment for worry of an uncomfortable second on the dinner desk. 
 
“Normally for me, every single day was rice and kimchi on campus,” mentioned Jones. 
 
The shortage of choices for those that do not eat meat is a rising drawback, particularly because the variety of worldwide college students is on the rise. In 2021 alone, 152,281 overseas college students have been learning in Korea, in keeping with knowledge from the Ministry of Schooling, a lot of them coming from nations the place vegetarianism is much extra widespread.
 
However this doesn’t suggest there are not any choices for vegetarians and vegans in Korea. In truth, vegan choices are on the rise and there are actually quite a few eating places in Seoul and across the nation catering to a vegan food plan.
 
The next eating places are some nice locations to check out vegan meals in Korea. If navigation is not your robust go well with, the apps HappyCow in English and Chaesik Hankki in Korean may provide help to monitor down the eating places and skim opinions earlier than you go to. 
 
 

Vegan cookies bought at Heat Harue close to Korea College. [ISABELLE PIA SISON]

 
Heat Harue
 
Craving bread however can’t discover a place that serves vegan? You might be in luck if you’re a Korea College pupil. 
 
Heat Harue is a vegan bakery positioned close to Exit No. 3 of Anam Station on Seoul Subway Line No. 6. All pastries include vegan or gluten-free labels in addition to the listing of substances used and their origins. 
 

Heat Harue additionally serves roasted vegetable sandwiches and guacamole [ISABELLE PIA SISON]

 
The cafe additionally serves roasted vegetable sandwiches and guacamole. It isn’t positioned on the primary avenue within the Anam space, and could possibly be an ideal possibility for examine classes alone or with a small group of mates.
 
@warm_harue 
89-1 Anam-dong 5(o)-ga, Seongbuk District, central Seoul
Opens from 10 a.m. to eight p.m. from Monday to Friday and 12 p.m. to eight p.m. on Saturday 
 

Mr. Lee vegan restaurant close to Yonsei College affords numerous choices like Vegan Hamburger Steak and Vegan Tteokbokki with a variety of beers and wine which are vegan. [ISABELLE PIA SISON]

 
Mr. Lee  

 
This vegan-friendly restaurant close to Yonsei College affords a wide range of vegan objects akin to Vegan Hamburger Steak, Vegan Tteokbokki and Vegan Bulgogi. 
 
It additionally affords a couple of beers and wines which are vegan.   
 
However the perfect factor about Mr. Lee is that it additionally affords non-vegan dishes. So if you’re searching for a spot to socialize with others, that is the spot. 
 

Mr. Lee additionally affords non-vegan dishes [ISABELLE PIA SISON]

 
The workers on the restaurant all the time inform you if there are facet dishes or snacks that are non-vegan as a precaution.  
 
@sinchon_mr.lee  
B1, Yonsei-ro 7-an-gil, Seodaemun District, western Seoul
Opens every single day besides Saturdays from 6 p.m. to midnight   
 
 

Cafe Siva is a vegan fusion restaurant close to Sookmyung Girls’s College in central Seoul. Varied fusion dishes from Euro-Asian to Italian can be found. [ISABELLE PIA SISON]

 
Café Siva
 
Café Siva is a vegan fusion restaurant positioned close to Exit 6 at Sookmyung Girls’s College Station on Line No. 4. It affords a variety of fusion vegan dishes, from Euro-Asian to Italian.
 
Café Siva, with SIVA as an abbreviation for Serve Worldwide Vegan Consciousness, is a 100% plant-based restaurant that’s good for vegetarians and vegan college students which are searching for extra numerous choices akin to burgers, jjimdak (braised rooster with soy sauce), pasta and curry. 
 

Cafe Siva additionally affords eco-friendly and reusable objects like scrubbers, pouches and toothbrushes. [ISABELLE PIA SISON]

 
The cafe is exclusive for its dedication to non-violence in opposition to ecology, animal rights and well being. Due to this fact, apart from plant-based meals decisions, college students may discover eco-friendly and reusable objects right here like scrubbers, pouches and toothbrushes. Take-home vegan meals objects like candy jellies and jam are additionally accessible for buy.  
 
@cafe.siva 
276-1 Hangang-daero, Namyeong-dong, Yongsan District, central Seoul
Opens from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. every single day with a break between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. 
 
 

Vegan & Past restaurant close to Yonsei College additionally affords numerous one-day programs in English, akin to vegan cheese and pure wine tasting occasions. [ISABELLE PIA SISON]

 
Vegan & Past
 
Vegan & Past is a go-to cafe, kitchen and grocery retailer for vegan and vegetarian residents coming from overseas, particularly these dwelling inside the Yonsei College space. 
 
For a lot of worldwide communities, this place goes past being a supply of all kinds of vegan choices because it additionally affords numerous one-day classes carried out in English: From vegan cheese and pure wine tasting occasions to fruit makgeolli making classes. 
 

Vegan & Past close to Yonsei College [ISABELLE PIA SISON]

 
There may be additionally a pile of books on wholesome diets, veganism and dwelling a plant-based life-style accessible for guests to learn.
 
Vegan & Past additionally organizes English and Korean language trade meetups, vegan potluck events and different social occasions the place you may work together with a variety of individuals whereas having fun with their vegan dishes, like artist talks and exhibitions. Vegan & Past serves as an area for studying and consuming healthily for everybody in Seoul.  
 
@veganandbeyondkr 
2nd Ground, 33 Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun District, western Seoul
Opens every single day apart from Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.   
 

Maru JaYeonSik Kimbap serves well-loved avenue meals akin to soybean tofu gimbap and vegan mandu (Korean dumplings) in Insadong, central Seoul [ISABELLE PIA SISON]

 
Maru JaYeonSik Kimbap
 
Positioned contained in the Insadong Maru constructing alley, Maru JaYeonSik Kimbap serves well-loved avenue meals akin to soybean tofu gimbap, vegan mandu (Korean dumplings), tteokbokki (spicy rice desserts), ramyeon, vegan udon (noodles in soup) and even soybean fried rooster.
 
The costs on their menu are additionally student-friendly, as they often vary from 4,000 received ($2.80) to eight,000 received, that are uncommon to seek out these days.  
 

Maru JaYeonSik Kimbap in central Seoul [ISABELLE PIA SISON]

 
Maru JaYeonSik Kimbap is an all-vegan snack bar, which can also be a non-smoking and non-drinking venue. Its cheap meals decisions entice many vacationers, overseas college students and even native residents, so an extended queue ought to be anticipated throughout busy occasions.
 
One massive plus: It’s also possible to go to the close by vacationer spots of Insadong akin to Jogyesa Temple, Museum Kimchikan and Ssamziegil.
 
35-4, Insadong-gil, Jongno District, central Seoul
Opens every single day from 10:30 a.m. to eight:30 p.m.

BY STUDENT REPORTER ISABELLE PIA SISON [kjd.kcampus@joongang.co.kr]