The Rise of Vegan Korean Restaurants Globally (2024)

FAQs

Is veganism popular in Korea? ›

As of 2021, there were around 2.5 million people in South Korea following a vegan diet. The number of vegans has increased tenfold from 2008 to 2018, and has shown a growth of around 67 percent in the three years after that.

Korean food has grown increasingly popular in the United States. Many Korean restaurants have opened in cities across the country, introducing Americans to dishes like kimchi and Korean barbecue.

Seoul in South Korea can be difficult to travel to as a vegan. But among all the meat-eating places, you can find a handful of vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants that serve great vegan comfort food.

Korean street food is vegan-friendly

Zeigfinger recommends to start by seeking out the most traditional of dishes. “Look for gimbap (seaweed rice rolls), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and japchae,” she says, which are either animal-free already, or can be made so with modifications.

India. Three of India's major religions — Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism — teach the practice of ahimsa, or non-violence towards all beings. Because of this religious tradition, India has the highest percentage of vegetarians out of all the countries in the world.

INDIA. Undoubtedly the vegetarian capital of the world, the urban Indian population is quickly accepting veganism as a way of life. A lot of traditional cuisines already have many vegan dishes which are eaten by everyone.

The report focuses on mindful consumption will also drive a demand for ready-to-eat snacking options that balance convenience with traditional flavours, wholesome ingredients and transparent sourcing.

The fast-growing current of South Korea's global popularity through exportation of pop culture, called the Korean Wave or “Hallyu,” encompasses many industries, including film, music, arts, food, technology, and beauty.

The most famous vegan celebrity in Korea, Im Soo-jung started her plant-based ways when she discovered she was allergic to animal protein five years ago.

What is the most non vegan country? ›

As per our findings, there's no country where 100% of the population is non-vegetarian. However, some countries have a higher consumption of meat because of cultural or religious factors, i.e., China, Brazil, and the USA, among others.

1. I am vegan/vegetarian. 저는 비건/베지테리언 (채식) 입니다.

Eat a protein serving with each meal to keep you feeling full. Great vegan and vegetarian protein sources are beans, tofu, tempeh, nuts, quinoa, lentils, whole grains, and starchy vegetables. As long as you focus on whole foods (rich in nutrients) and avoid processed foods and oils, it will be hard to overeat.

Moon Soju is Vegan Friendly - Barnivore vegan liquor guide.

You don't have to worry! The traditional food in Korea is vegetarian or at least have vegetarian option and it is not hard to find it. The great thing about Korean dining is that they eat a lot of side dishes which are mostly made out of vegetable. Let's go to have a look at some of the Korean vegetarian food!

In short, absolutely! The strictness of your diet will dictate to what extent you might struggle to find food, but in general, there are many vegetarian dishes in Korean restaurants.

Japanese cuisine is known for its heavy use of meat and fish, and even stocks and sauces usually have some ingredients containing meat. Vegetarianism and veganism are not as popular in Japan as it is in the West, so you'll find there's often some confusion as to what you can and can't eat.

Korean cuisine has deep historical roots, with many dishes being naturally vegan or vegetarian due to Buddhism's influence on the peninsula for centuries. From temple cuisine to using varied plant-based ingredients like tofu, mushrooms, and many vegetables, Korea has always had a flair for vegetarian meals.