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!

Eating with Seoul: a vegans guide to surviving in South Korea.

It’s no secret that following a plant based diet in Korea hasn’t been the easiest of things. It’s the land of the meat eating, BBQ loving, fried chicken partying. Korea and ‘vegan’ do not usually come hand-in-hand; it was difficult and daunting arriving in a foreign country with this extra obstacle to overcome. But fear not my fellow vegan explorers – Korea is not a total meat frenzy. As I approach the one year mark, I’ve found some awesome vegan havens, some quirky alternatives to traditional cuisine and a few useful phrases – so here’s my guide for surviving in Korea on a plant based diet.  

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. 

Sassy Flea Market in Spontaneous Seoul

The variety of Seoul never ceases to amaze me. Take this morning for instance; whilst I was eating my PB & J, Charlie stumbled upon an Instagram post from a favourite brewery of ours, saying they had a pop-up stall at a ‘flea market’ in the car park of a swanky Gangnam hotel – very Korean.

Feature: The American Influence in South Korea

Across the country, trains are packed and traffic is jammed as people prepare for Korean thanksgiving – yes, thanksgiving – the holiday as American as pumpkin pie and parades.

The One at the Beach

Two little words have the power to brighten up any teacher or students week; summer vacation. I am once again in the education sector and delighted to be cashing in on those sunny days off.