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.

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. 

A hearty bowl of Ma La Tang – the ultimate comfort food.

Now that I’m approaching the six-month mark in Korea, Ma La Tang (마라탕) has become a kind of ‘home comfort’ – with no access to a nourishing roast dinner or a traditional Friday night trip to the chippy, this is the closest I’ve had to ‘proper family food’ (sounds like something Jamie Oliver might say?). My favourite food in Korea is healthy, veganish and ironically, not Korean.