People's expectations for food are high as ever due to the increasing diversity of dietary options and health concerns. In particular, as the number of people looking for vegetarian options continues to grow, several restaurants and cafés make efforts to come up with vegetarian menus to meet the customer’s needs.

Vegetarians can be categorized into eight different types, ranging from vegans, who abstain from all animal-based products, and flexitarians, who occasionally consume meat. Read on for recommended vegetarian restaurants in Korea and tips on how to make an order according to your dietary preference in case you can't find one.

Tips on ordering a menu

A majority of the restaurants in Korea do not have a set procedure or a manual for those who have dietary concerns. Therefore, travelers who are vegetarians are advised to inform the staff of their diet and provide detailed instructions on what ingredients to exclude when making an order.

1. Korean Cuisine

• Bibimbap: Basic ingredients include meat, egg, gochujang (Korean chili paste), and various vegetables. When ordering, ask to check if any meat is included in the dish. As bibimbap is almost always served with an egg on top, make a request to exclude it from your dish.
• Stew: Many traditional Korean stews are made from meat or fish broth. Make a request to prepare your order using plain water.
• Gimbap: Ham and eggs are basic ingredients that go in a gimbap. Other meat ingredient options include tuna and crab stick. Make a request to exclude them when ordering.
• Soup & porridge: A wide variety of porridges and soup are available in Korea, including those that use meat and seafood. Check in advance and request to exclude meat and seafood upon order.

2. Western Cuisine

Hamburger: Hamburgers in Korea are not much different from those overseas. Some restaurants serve hamburgers using patties made from grains and vegetables instead of meat.

• Pasta: Although every restaurant has its menu, most restaurants serve pastas with meat or seafood ingredients. However, since several restaurants have vegetarian pasta menu as well; check with the restaurant in advance before visiting.
• Pizza: As the topping options can get surprisingly diverse, special attention is required. Popular vegetarian pizza menus include basil pesto pizza and margherita pizza. Ask the staff in advance if the cheese is vegetarian-friendly.

3. Chinese Cuisine

• Jjajangmyeon · jjamppong: Jjajangmyeon's basic ingredients include pork along with vegetables like onion and cabbage whereas jjamppong uses seafood. Make a request to exclude any meat or seafood and prepare food with vegetables only instead.
• Dim sum: Dim sum is usually filled with either seafood or meat. Ask the staff in advance to avoid dim sum with seafood or meat.

4. Japanese Cuisine

• Curry: Special attention to the ingredients are needed as a variety of curry menus are available. Even vegetable curry can include either cheese or cream.
• Sushi: As the main ingredient for sushi is seafood, inform the staff of your vegetarian diet and ask for recommendations.

TIP) Most Korean restaurants make food preparations according to their recipe unless a special request is made. Always inform the staff that you are a vegetarian ahead of time. Sometimes, as language barrier may get in the way of communication, it’s a good idea to prepare written information in advance, such as "I am a vegetarian (저는 채식주의자입니다)" or "I cannot eat any meat, eggs, and seafood (육류, 달걀, 해산물 등을 먹지 못합니다)." You can also use one of the many translation or interpretation apps available on mobile.

* Photo & Contents Credit : http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/