Vegetarian and Vegan Guide to Eating in Korea

Korean food has lots of vegetables, but broths and seasonings often contain animal ingredients. A dish can look like vegetables only and still have anchovy broth or salted seafood in it. The most important habit is to ask once before you order.

Hidden animal ingredients

• Broth: soups, stews and noodles often use anchovy broth or beef broth.
• Kimchi: usually contains salted seafood (jeotgal) or fish sauce.
• Mandu (dumplings): even kimchi or vegetable dumplings often contain meat.
• Bibimbap: often topped with egg and minced beef.
• Gimbap: ham, fish cake, imitation crab and egg are often standard fillings.
• Ramyeon: many instant noodle soup powders contain beef or seafood ingredients.

Korean phrases for ordering

Dishes that are easier to order

Temple food

Temple food (sachal eumsik) is food handed down in Buddhist temples. It uses no meat or fish, and none of the five pungent vegetables such as garlic, green onion and chives. The flavor comes from vegetables, wild greens, mushrooms, tofu and grains. It is often close to vegan, but if you are strictly vegan, ask about dairy or eggs. You can also try temple food in templestay programs.

Convenience store and grocery tips

• Read the ingredient list (원재료명) on the back of packaged food.
• The allergy information lists items like 우유 (milk), 알류 (eggs), 쇠고기 (beef), 돼지고기 (pork), 닭고기 (chicken) and 새우 (shrimp), so it is easy to check.
• A note saying the product was made in the same facility as other products means the facility is shared. Keep this in mind if you are strict.
• Triangle gimbap and lunch boxes often contain tuna, ham or meat seasoning. Always check the label.
• At traditional markets, you can buy tofu, vegetables, mushrooms and wild greens to cook at home. It is easy and saves money.