Eating with Seoul; Meet the women behind Korea’s Vegan Movement

It’s no secret that since moving to Korea I have struggled to stick to a plant-based diet. In fact, there has been a running theme throughout my blogs recently, focusing on finding vegan havens amidst a country of meat-loving carnivores. But during my short year in Korea I have witnessed a new found appreciation of veganism – with more restaurants opening, small events dotted around the city and the newly elected President promising to make South Korea a better place for animals, as well as people. As this community grows, there are three women to thank – and I had the pleasure of meeting two of them just before the 3^rd Vegan Festival Korea.

Life lessons from the North Korean border

Blankets of snow covered the ominous demilitarised zone in the Korean Peninsula. I peered through binoculars over to the other side. Reclusive land, barbed wires and frozen rivers filled up the lens. On a summers day the view from the Dora Observatory is the closest you’ll get to seeing the North of Korea – but for me, the bitter cold chilled my face as I listened to communist propaganda music playing over the whistling winds.  

Delicious offerings from the streets of Hoi An

Along the ancient streets of Hoi An, is the vibrant farmers market; a place where women in leaf hats barter with customers and chat to locals. Small mountains of exotic fruits and vegetables brighten up the surroundings and fresh sugar cane is pulped in to juice.  Vietnamese cuisine is some of the best I’ve had – the streets are crawling with authentic food and cooking classes are widely available so you can master the local specialities. 

Taking home a piece of Hoi An; the production of the iconic lanterns

Hoi An is considered the tailoring mecca of Vietnam; beautiful fabrics adorn the doorways of traditional markets, whilst the bustling noises of the factories upstairs ring through the street. Upon arrival I discovered my ‘backpacker‘ friends had spent the past four days inside the tailoring market, designing elegant (though somewhat extravagant) suits, belts, coats, ties, shirts and leather bags. 

A city of sunshine on a rainy day

Escaping temperatures of minus nine and the odd flutter of snow, we departed Seoul; (our modern metropolis home) for winter vacation and headed to Hoi An, the Vietnamese city where time has stood still.