Hey guys! Long time, no blog! Fun update for yall: I starting learning Korean and went to Seoul on a solo trip for a 10 day language course! I had a BLAST, made so many new friends, and, best of all, tried many new vegan spots 🙂 I will preface this by saying that 1) You should check out our first “Vegan in Seoul” blog as I probably won’t repeat the same places here in as much detail 2) Seoul is incredibly NOT-vegan friendly. Most cafes don’t even carry non-dairy milk (although, most cafes do carry a fruity drink option or just iced americano so there is always something to drink, but you probably won’t be getting lattes).

So that being said, even though the following food looks delicious, just know that it IS a challenge to be vegan in Seoul. Not impossible, just difficult. But don’t let it stop you from coming to Seoul. That’s how you know I love Seoul because regardless of the food situation being difficult, I fell in love with this city all over again and would live there in a heartbeat if I could!!! Let’s get into it!

1. Vegan Insa

If you go to one place in Seoul, let it be this one. It’s the cutest little vegan spot that sells authentic vegan Korean food. They have tteokbokki, sweet and sour vegan shrimp, cold noodle dishes, dumplings, and MUCH more. I loved it so much that I went back TWICE. The food there is 10/10. The service is so good. I will dream about that tteokbokki until I can have it again. WOW. Highly reccomend the three dishes I got and would love to try more when I go back (Seoul 2025!?) Fave spot I visited.

2. Super Matcha 

Surprisingly, matcha lattes (especially made with non-dairy milk) are hard to come by in Seoul. Matcha is way more popular in Japan, and Seoul really does have a love affair with iced americanos. BUT, not only is this place dedicated to the nectar of the Gods (aka MATCHA) but they have non-dairy milk to0!!!!!

There are two locations (that I know of) in Seoul. One is in a mall and the other is in Seongsu-dong, a SUPER trendy area of Seoul with the cutest cafes, pop-up shops, and more. I reccomend this location. Not only do they have a ROBOT that whisks the matcha for you (crazy, I KNOW) but also they even have OAT MILK MATCHA SHAVED ICE WITH RED BEAN AND MOCHI. Are you kidding me?!?!?!??!?!?!??!?!?!?!? Fuck, I’m craving everything I’m blogging about. I need it right NOW. Can’t wait to eat it when I go back to Seoul next time!!!!

3. Green Chiang 

I met some local friends on Bumble BFF and they were kind enough to find this place for us to eat which was a Thai food restaurant with vegan options!!! The pad thai was super yummy! Not anything mind-blowing, but when in Seoul, any vegan option is a blessing. And we got the apple-ade and it was SO refreshing and came with the cutest little mixers. Really good vibes!!!

4. Han Jeongseon 

My new local friends also wanted to try out this mochi shop which had an assortment of mochi covered fruits. I got the strawberry/red bean mochi ball and it felt like biting into a literal CLOUD. It reminded me of what Edmund eats in Narnia. It was so soft and pillowy and delicious. I only bought one but, in retrospect, I should have bought 100.

5. Monks Butcher 

In Seoul, I also got to hang out with one of my friend’s friend who brought me to this vegetarian restaurant in Itaewon. The vibes were super chill and calming and the food was really yummy and warming! I was busy chatting with my new friend and his cousin, plus we all shared three dishes, so I don’t fully remember the specifics of the taste but I do remember enjoying it and enjoying the ambiance.

6. Convenience stores 

If you know, you know. Seoul’s 711, CU, or GS25 are known for their many options of food and beverages, specially the TikTok famous ice-cups and coffee packets (not many vegan food options, but lots of drink options). If you want an epic combo, go with the hazelnut coffee pictured below and add the oat milk I found there. 10/10. I think I had like 4 of these a day. I even tried it with the chocolate oat milk for a Nutella vibe. They also have almond and soy milk at these stores, which is a pleasant change compared to most cafes in Seoul. 

7. Looop Bakery 

This is a trendy cafe in Seongsu that has a few vegan options. They have non-dairy milk options, little vegan poundcakes, and these vegan bagels stuffed with chocolate cream. My iced oat milk vanilla latte was really good. I got a lemon jam poundcake and it was * one of the WORST desserts I’ve ever eaten *!!!  I looked up reviews of this spot after I went and most people will agree their vegan food is trash. I appreciate the option though! I did buy a bagel with chocolate cream and took it to go but it vanished into thin air and I never saw it again so no idea if it’s good or not lmao. (Also the other pastry on the plate is non-vegan/was my friend’s)

8. La Pause Cafe

I stayed in Hongdae during my time in Seoul, which is the university area. Lots of young people, shopping, bars, restaurants, etc. A short walk from my hotel was this all-vegan cafe called La Pause that was Parisian inspired and had the cutest pastries, the most calming/coziest vibe, and even played old Hollywood movies on the tv with Korean subtitles. I got a camomile tea, a slice of their matcha cake, and a lemon glazed madeleine and WOAHHHHHHHH. This shit was SO SO SO good. The flavors were so nuanced and delicious. I would 10/10 come back here. I came alone one night and really enjoyed my solo date. It felt so warm and cozy as I sipped my tea and ate my pastries in peace.

9. Halal Guys 

Yeah. Like the one in NY and LA. LOL. Luckily, I had one right across (and I mean RIGHT ACROSS) from my hotel so anytime I was in a pinch, I’d just get the falafel platter (falafel, rice, salad) and add pickles and onions, with a side of hummus. I kid you not, I had Halal Guys for like 8 of my meals in Seoul. The people there started to recognize me. And not because halal guys is fantastic (it is yummy tho), but because finding vegan food became such a hassle that, when I was hungry, I opted for convenience. 

* Sorry I don’t have a picture lol, just trust me lmao *

10. Ouvert Coffee

Cute little coffee shop in Hongdae. Nothing special except that they have non-dairy milk options, which in Korea, IS SPECIAL. My latte was yummy tho!

11. Oneul Artisan Bread and Coffee

An all vegan bread shop! I stumbled upon this cute little bread shop on my way to a cafe. There aren’t a lot of options but the lady running the shop was so nice and recommended the orange walnut bread. It was yummy (interesting flavor profile) and the perfect on-the-go snack for my walk 🙂 

* Again, sorry I don’t have a pic, just trust me bro *

12. Places that we posted about in our first Vegan in Korea blog (go check it out!)

• Nuldam Space Cafe

An entirely vegan cafe that allows you to write letters to your future self! HOW CUTE. Last time we went, we got so many DELICIOUS pastries and an almond cream latte. This time, the only pastry available was a brownie (it was okay…) and I had to ask to put the almond cream on top of the matcha because they only offered it with regular coffee this time around. But they did make it for me. And it is still one of the BEST matcha lattes I’ve ever had in my life. That almond cream is SO GOOD it should be illegal.

• Plant in Itaewon 

Really yummy ALL VEGAN restaurant with the cutest interior vibes and energy. Last time I took the food to go, and this time I did the same because I was in a rush, but I’d love to go back and sit down to eat sometime. I got a philly cheesesteak to go and it was SO FUCKING GOOD OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. I inhaled the sandwich later that day in like 2 seconds. That’s how good it was. I also got a soba noodle salad which I ate the day after that was also super tasty. This place slaps.

• NoNo Shop 

Cute zero waste shop with pastries and groceries and coffee. I got a bunch of vegan snacks that lasted me the rest of the trip. I also got a slice of their praline cake which was CRAZY DELICIOUS. I got their praline latte which was good but I remember it being better the last time I came. Still highly recommend this spot. I also got a cinnamon apple crumble cake slice but was so full that I couldn’t finish it, and they don’t have to-go bags because they are zero waste so I had to… waste it lol. So if you go, make sure to only get what you can eat or bring tupperware!

• Starbucks 

Starbucks is where most people go for non-dairy lattes (matcha or coffee). The vibes in the Starbucks in Korea are way more relaxed and clean than the US locations. They also sell the cutest Starbucks cups there, especially during Cherry Blossom season.

• Tanghulu

Tanghulu is candy covered fruit and it’s FIRE. Although, the cherry one came with pits which was interesting… lol. You can find it everywhere in Seoul!

All in all, it wasn’t easy being vegan in Seoul, but I ate some incredible vegan food regardless! Can’t wait to go back next time and visit some of these places again. And if you haven’t visited Seoul ever, you MUST. It is my favorite city ever. Pls add it to your bucket list. You won’t regret it! If you like shopping, spas, cafes, cute guys, nice people, safe streets, Kpop/K-entertainment, high concept pop-up shops, learning a new language, easy transportation/walkable streets, Seoul is the place for you.