Once lacking in vegan choices, Seoul now offers a diverse range of restaurants, cafés, and bakeries, meeting the rising interest in more ethical and environmentally conscious eating. Here’s a guide to the verified vegan restaurants in Seoul that will make you want to visit again.
A Flower Blossom on the Rice
A Flower Blossom on the Rice is an eco-conscious Korean restaurant in central Seoul, distinguished from others focusing on Western cuisine. Renowned for its sustainable practices, the restaurant has earned a spot in the Michelin Bib Gourmand from 2018 to 2023 and has been awarded the Michelin Guide Green Star since 2021.
The restaurant features both set courses and à la carte options with appetizers such as carrot porridge and lettuce salad. The carrot porridge, reminiscent of sweet pumpkin porridge, is particularly noteworthy for its subtle sweetness. A highlight of the menu is the Aruncus Dioicus Namul Rice, famously enjoyed by Michael Jackson on his visits to South Korea. It boasts an intense sesame oil scent and a texture akin to “meat from the fields,” resulting in a chewy and fulfilling dish.
Achemi
Ice cream lovers should visit Achemi, located near Hyehwa in Seoul. The artisanal vegan ice creamery specializes in crafting innovative vegan ice creams made with rice. Embracing the idea of an “ice cream alchemist,” Achemi uses locally sourced ingredients to capture the natural flavors of each ingredient in every scoop.
Achemi is known for its distinctive ice cream flavors, such as Haenam Sweet Potato Milk Tea and Sumi Potato Garlic Bread, blending local rice and seasonal specialties. It also offers a variety of desserts, including ice cream sandwiches made with fresh-baked cookies, handmade ice cream cakes, parfaits, and chapssaltteok filled with ice cream. With its creative approach and commitment to quality, Achemi provides a fresh experience with every visit.
Camouflage
Camouflage in Itaewon offers a distinctive fusion of American-style Chinese vegan dishes for those seeking a break from pasta and burgers. The restaurant’s bright, spacious interior, scattered with plants, creates a lively ambiance perfect for both dates and group gatherings. It stands out for its generous portions and reasonable prices, yet with high-quality dishes.
Camouflage’s menu includes plant-based Orange Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, Teriyaki Chicken, and spicy and exotic Tomato Noodle Soup. Other offerings are Tofu Crumble Rice Bowl, vegetable stir-fry, chow mein, fried rice, vegan shrimp, and dumplings, all in the style of American-Chinese cuisine. A selection of beers, wines, and other beverages further enhances the dining experience, with homemade desserts providing a sweet finale.
Ferments
Ferments near Yongsan Station in Seoul shines as a vegan eatery dedicated to the craft of fermentation. It offers a warm, inviting space for diners to savor vegan fermented dishes. Upon entering Ferments, visitors are greeted by its adorable white dog, perfect for enjoying a meal accompanied by their furry friends.
Ferments’ menu highlights its handmade raw kombucha, which is available in unique flavors like Earl Grey and Mango Green Tea. The menu at Ferments is all based on fermented ingredients, without chemicals or artificial additives. The Jerusalem artichoke fries are a must-try, thicker than regular potato chips, and have a rich, nutty taste that pairs wonderfully with the restaurant’s fermented foods.
For Four Bread
For Four Bread, a vegan bakery that captivated K-pop star Blackpink’s Jennie, is located in Yeonhui-dong, Mapo-gu, another vegan hotspot rivaling Itaewon. The bakery, renowned for its tasty and nutritious bread, became even more famous after Jennie featured it in her vlog.
For Four Bread stands for a “warm vegan bakery for people, animals, the earth, and tomorrow.” It is committed to offering healthy and tasty bread without using butter, milk, eggs, refined sugar, or GMOs, relying solely on 100% plant-based ingredients.
The bakery serves a variety of bread and desserts to suit everyone’s tastes, including hearty meal bread like sandwich loaves, ciabatta, baguettes, and champagne, alongside treats like cookies, madeleines, scones, and pound cakes. While primarily focused on takeout, For Four Bread has a seating area where visitors can enjoy their bread with drinks.
Nammi Plant Lab
Located near Sadang Station in Seocho-gu, Nammi Plant Lab has become a must-visit destination for vegan dining in Seoul. It has gained recognition in the vegan community since its opening in 2018.
Nammi Plant Lab, a fusion vegan restaurant run by a chef from Colombia, is known for sparing no expense in creating rich and savory dishes. Its signature dish is the cheese vegetable pizza, topped with an abundance of house-made vegan cheese. The restaurant offers a diverse menu featuring flavorful pizzas made with high-quality ingredients and various other options such as pasta, risotto, and salads.
Plant Cafe Seoul
Plant Cafe in Itaewon stands as the most famous vegan restaurant in Seoul. Situated in the bustling, foreigner-dense town, it established itself before veganism became as widely recognized as it is now. Plant Cafe has remained a top vegan restaurant in the city, even as other vegan eateries have come and gone over time.
Plant Cafe is a fully vegan eatery, serving various tasty dishes such as burgers, pasta, and sandwiches, highlighted by its signature hummus squash salad. It also offers homemade desserts and drinks, allowing customers to enjoy their meals and desserts in one place. The restaurant has lively plants, offering a cozy and enjoyable dining ambiance.
