When people think of Korean food, they imagine vegetables, rice, tofu, and colorful side dishes.
And yes, those are everywhere.
But here’s something I always tell vegetarian travelers honestly:
Finding truly vegan food in traditional Korean cuisine is harder than it looks.
I didn’t fully understand this myself until I started paying attention to what was inside the broth not just what was on top of the bowl.
In Korea, flavor often hides beneath the surface.
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| Temple food in Korea (vegan-friendly) |
If You’re Strictly Vegan, Here’s the Honest Advice
If you are strictly vegan, the safest option is simple:
- Choose temple food (사찰음식) or
- fully vegetarian restaurants.
Outside of those places, most traditional Korean dishes contain small amounts of animal-based ingredients, even when they look completely plant-based.
Kimchi, Korea’s most basic side dish, usually contains fish sauce (액젓) or shrimp paste (새우젓). And Koreans love soup. Almost every meal includes a stew or broth-based dish and those broths are often made with anchovies, beef, or pork.
When I first learned that even kimchi usually contains fish sauce or shrimp paste, I remember feeling genuinely surprised.
But in Korea, that’s simply how recipes have been passed down for generations. It’s not about excluding anyone. It’s about tradition.
Still, it helps to know the reality before you order.
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Vegetarian Restraunt in Korea(vegan-friendly) |
The Hidden Ingredients You Should Always Watch For
1) Anchovy Broth (멸치 육수)
This is everywhere. Even tofu or vegetable stews often start with anchovy broth.
You’ll often find it in:
- Kimchi-jjigae (kimchi stew)
- Doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew)
- Noodle soups
- Tteokbokki sauce
2) Fish Sauce (액젓)
Fish sauce is commonly used in:
- Kimchi
- Seasoned vegetable side dishes (namul)
- Many banchan (side dishes)
Even “vegetable” dishes may contain fish sauce.
3) Shrimp Paste (새우젓)
Shrimp paste is common in kimchi and stews. It’s often used in small amounts — but it’s still not vegan.
4) Beef or Pork Broth (소고기/돼지고기 육수)
Even dishes people assume are vegetarian, like soybean paste stew, often include beef, especially when served at barbecue restaurants.
5) Oyster Sauce
In modern restaurants, oyster sauce is often added to vegetable stir-fries for extra umami.
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A local wild vegetable restaurant near the temple |
My Reality as a Pescetarian
Even as a pescetarian, I can’t relax completely.
There have been many times when I confidently ordered a “vegetable” dish, only to realize later that the broth was meat-based.
Now, if I don’t know the dish well, I always ask what broth is used.
- Kimchi-jjigae? I choose tuna kimchi stew instead of pork.
- Sundubu-jjigae? I pick seafood soft tofu stew.
- Doenjang-jjigae? I double-check whether meat is included.
At first it felt awkward to ask. But over time, I realized that most restaurant owners don’t mind explaining, especially if you ask kindly.
What Feels Safer When Eating Out
Dishes without broth are usually easier to judge visually.
Stir-fried mushrooms, seasoned vegetables, grilled tofu, these are often safer options.
But even then, fish sauce may be used for seasoning. There is no 100% guarantee unless you ask.
Personally, when eating out, I often choose seafood-focused restaurants.
Grilled fish, seafood hotpot, steamed seafood, or raw fish restaurants usually use seafood-based broth rather than beef broth. Not because they are perfect, but because they are more predictable.
There’s a certain peace of mind in knowing that the broth will likely be seafood-based rather than beef. After a while, you develop instincts. You learn which dishes are safer, and which ones require extra questions.
How I Cook at Home
When I cook, I use:
- Vegetable broth
- Seafood-based stock cubes (very common in Korea)
- Kelp (dashima) for natural umami
Once you understand how Korean flavor is built, it becomes much easier to adapt recipes safely.
Useful Korean Phrases
- 고기 들어가요? (Does this contain meat?)
- 생선이나 해산물 들어가요? (Does this contain fish or seafood?)
- 육수 뭐예요? (What broth is used?)
These questions can prevent most mistakes.
A Gentle Reminder
Korean food is rich, layered, and deeply traditional. It wasn’t designed to exclude vegetarians, but it also wasn’t originally designed for them.
That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. It just means you need a little more awareness.
And once you understand how Korean flavor works, navigating it becomes much less stressful and much more enjoyable.
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Korean namul - bibimbap |
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