Eating with Seoul: my top vegan restaurants in the city

The soul of Seoul is the food. It’s the city that never stops; 24-hour restaurants, themed cafés and home to some of the biggest food markets in the world. It’s not unusual to find most needs catered for relatively easily whilst strolling around in the twilight hours. Since moving to here in 2016, I’ve been documenting the ins and outs of being a vegan in Korea – and I have finally collected enough information (aka, eaten a ridiculous amount) to introduce my top vegan restaurants in Seoul!

Namsan; a breath of fresh air in the heart of metropolis.

Desperately trying to squeeze in seasonal activities before the fast approaching, bitterly cold winter, Molly and I set off into a chilly and mist filled morning – our destination, Namsan; an icon of Seoul and its distant past. It has been voted the most scenic location in the capital city and is even referenced in the national anthem. Needless to say, a big dog in Korean culture.

But sometimes it’s about the journey, not the destination. 

A vegetarian in Mangwon; exploring Seoul’s new hipster hangout.

Past the street merchants and western style cafés of Noksapyeong, we came over the horizon onto Itaewon-ro, to the sound of a thumping baseline and hordes of people. We’d accidentally arrived on the day of the annual Global Village Festival; a weekend-long celebration of international cuisines, music, fashion and crafts. But this wasn’t the hidden gem of the weekend.