8 Best Vegan Restaurants in Seoul: Plant-Based Dining Redefined
Seoul's vegan dining scene has evolved. This isn't just vegetarian food — it's a culinary realm where plant-based ingredients achieve gastronomic excellence.
I've observed Seoul's restaurant landscape for over a decade, watching vegan dining shift from subculture to mainstream culinary culture. Légume's 2021 Michelin star was a watershed moment. As Asia's first and only Michelin-starred vegan restaurant, it proved that plant-based cuisine could reach the pinnacle of fine dining.
The restaurants I've curated today don't simply remove meat. They explore the essence of vegetables, grains, and fermented foods. They expand the possibilities of Korean ingredients. They practice sustainable food culture. As a food curator, these are dining experiences worth seeking — whether you're vegan or not.
Michelin-Recognized Vegan Fine Dining
Légume - Gangnam
Asia's first and only Michelin-starred vegan restaurant. Chef Sung Si-woo's Légume has redefined the paradigm of plant-based cuisine.
The philosophy here is clear: don't imitate meat flavors — maximize the inherent taste of vegetables. Seasonal vegetables take center stage, with a tasting menu that combines Korean fermentation techniques with contemporary cooking methods. The signature "flounder" dish reimagines gochujang-marinated caviar using entirely plant-based ingredients.
Located on the second floor of Sinsa Square, Légume's space embodies restraint. Subdued lighting, wood tables, minimalist plating. The food becomes the protagonist.
Practical Details
- Location: 2F Sinsa Square, 652 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu (near Sinsa Station)
- Price Range: Tasting menu from ₩150,000+
- Reservations: legume.seoul@gmail.com (essential)
- Note: The menu changes seasonally. Remember, there are only 10 Michelin-starred vegan restaurants worldwide.
Osegye Hyang - Insadong
Traditional temple cuisine in the heart of the city. This restaurant earned both a Michelin Bib Gourmand and Green Star in 2021.
Osegye Hyang's strength lies in its 600-year Korean temple food tradition. Even under the strict temple food principle that excludes the five pungent vegetables (garlic, scallions, chives, wild rocambole, and Korean leeks), they achieve a diverse flavor spectrum. Mountain vegetable bibimbap, lotus root salad, shiitake mushroom jeon, sauces made from fermented soybean paste. Each dish balances delicacy with depth.
Located inside Insadong shopping street, it's highly accessible. The experience of dining in hanok-style interiors while sipping grain tea from traditional Korean teacups feels meditative.
Practical Details
- Location: 14-5 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu
- Price Range: Lunch set ₩30,000+, full course ₩50,000+
- Closed: Thursdays
- Note: The Michelin Green Star recognizes restaurants committed to sustainable ingredient sourcing.
Contemporary Plant-Based with Modern Sensibility
Plant Cafe Seoul - Itaewon & Yeonnam-dong
One of Seoul's most popular vegan cafes, with locations in both Itaewon and Yeonnam-dong.
Plant's strength is its international menu that extends beyond Korean cuisine. Vegan pasta, burgers, salad bowls, brunch sets. The lineup satisfies everyone, even non-vegan friends. They produce their own vegan mayo and cheese in-house, and the quality shows.
The space feels bright and sophisticated. White walls with green accents, wood furniture, abundant plants. During brunch hours, natural light floods the space — it's mood-lifting.
Practical Details
- Location: Itaewon / Yeonnam-dong (near Hongdae)
- Price Range: Mains ₩15,000-20,000
- Features: English menu available, gluten-free options
- Recommended: Vegan pasta with creamy sauce — exceptional
Plantude - Gangnam COEX Mall
Operated by Pulmuone, this vegan restaurant reinterprets both Korean and Western dishes.
From veggie-loaded bibimbap to ratatouille-topped pasta, the menu composition is creative. Dishes utilizing tofu, tempeh, and plant-based proteins are diverse. You can feel Pulmuone's food technology expertise throughout.
Being inside COEX Mall makes it convenient to visit after shopping or exhibitions. A major advantage: easy access to plant-based dining in the heart of Gangnam.
Practical Details
- Location: COEX Mall, 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu
- Price Range: Mains ₩12,000-18,000
- Tip: Lunch set menu offers great value
Accessible Vegan Buffets and Casual Dining
Veg Green - Hongdae & Multiple Locations
The biggest draw: a vegan buffet for just ₩13,000. Seoul's best value for plant-based dining.
Vegan banchan, kimbap, bulgogi, noodles, fried "chicken," salad, soups, tea, desserts. Over 30 Korean vegan dishes available at once. The menu rotates slightly each day, but quality remains consistent.
The Hongdae location gets quite busy during lunch with students and office workers. I recommend this for first-timers trying vegan food. The affordable price lets you sample a wide variety.
Practical Details
- Location: Hongdae and other locations
- Price: Buffet ₩13,000 (unlimited)
- Tip: Some locations offer cash discounts
byTOFU - Near Namsan Park
Specializing in tofu-based sandwiches, bowls, and wraps. They practice sustainable food culture.
The signature is the tofu sandwich. Silky tofu combined with fresh vegetables and housemade sauces makes a healthy meal. They also offer avocado tofu bowls and tofu taco wraps.
Great location for visiting after a Namsan Park walk. Popular for takeout too.
Practical Details
- Location: Southwest of Namsan Park
- Price Range: Sandwiches/bowls ₩8,000-12,000
- Features: Zero-waste practice, minimal single-use items
Cook & Book - Itaewon
A vegan cafe and book cafe. They advocate for vegan, cruelty-free, and zero-waste lifestyles.
Baked curry rice, pizza, burgers, pasta — internationally inspired vegan dishes. The relaxed atmosphere lets you read while dining leisurely. They also sell vegan cakes and baked goods.
This cafe has maintained its Itaewon presence for years. It feels like a community hub where people interested in plant-based lifestyles gather.
Practical Details
- Location: Itaewon
- Price Range: Mains ₩13,000-17,000
- Features: A space where books, music, and plant-based culture converge
The Art of Vegan Baking
La Pause
Seoul's moistest cakes come from this vegan bakery. All cakes are also gluten-free.
At about $6 per slice, the cakes are moister and more flavorful than conventional ones. You won't believe they're vegan. Chocolate cake, caramel cake, fruit tarts — various options available.
Since they specialize in cakes, the space is small, but perfect for takeout.
Practical Details
- Location: (varies by branch)
- Price: Cakes ₩6,000-8,000 per slice
- Features: 100% vegan, gluten-free options
Tips for Visiting
Reservations Essential Popular restaurants like Légume and Osegye Hyang require advance booking. For weekend dinners especially, reserve 1-2 weeks ahead.
Consider Price Range Fine dining (Légume, Osegye Hyang) runs ₩50,000+ per person, casual dining (Plant, Plantude) ₩15,000-20,000, buffets (Veg Green) around ₩13,000.
Allergen Awareness Many vegan restaurants also accommodate gluten-free and nut-free diets. Places like Dear Veggie mark allergen ingredients in advance and remove them upon request.
English Menus Plant Cafe, Osegye Hyang, and Légume offer English menus and English-speaking staff. International travelers can visit comfortably.
Seasonal Menus Légume and Osegye Hyang change menus seasonally because they use ingredients at their peak. Check current menus before visiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will it taste good even if I'm not vegan? Absolutely. Particularly Légume and Osegye Hyang excel as gastronomic experiences. My non-vegetarian friends raved about the Légume tasting menu. You'll discover new possibilities for vegetables and grains.
Q: How many vegan restaurants are in Seoul? In 2022, Seoul's "Taste of Seoul 100" selected 50 vegetarian restaurants. New places continue opening. The options are quite diverse.
Q: I want to try Korean vegan food. Where should I go? I recommend Osegye Hyang (temple cuisine), Veg Green (Korean buffet), or Plantude (bibimbap). Experience traditional Korean cuisine in plant-based form.
Q: Best value option? Veg Green buffet at ₩13,000 offers the best value. byTOFU sandwiches (from ₩8,000) work well for a light meal.
Q: Good for groups of friends? Plant Cafe Seoul is ideal. The menu variety includes burgers and pasta that even non-vegans enjoy. The casual atmosphere feels relaxed.
Closing Thoughts
Seoul's vegan dining scene is no longer niche. From Michelin stars to ₩13,000 buffets, there are options for every budget and preference.
I'm not a vegetarian. But after experiencing Légume's tasting menu, I realized that plant-based cuisine isn't merely an alternative — it's a complete culinary art form in itself. The umami layers Chef Sung achieves with vegetables, the restraint and depth shown in Osegye Hyang's temple cuisine. These are dishes everyone should experience.
If you're visiting Seoul, add at least one vegan restaurant to your itinerary. It will change how you perceive plants. And that's what great restaurants do.
@minjicurates
