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What is Seoul like for vegan food/delivery apps/language barrier?
I've seen on Happy Cow that there are (at least) three all-vegan restaurants and a few others that have vegan options.
I've never tr… A group of us will be travelling in August. Half of us are vegan.
I've seen on Happy Cow that there are (at least) three all-vegan restaurants and a few others that have vegan options.
I've never travelled to South Korea before so I'm wondering
- what is the general attitude to veganism?
- are there lots of vegan options?
- will there be any kind of language barrier when ordering vegan food?*
- are there food apps like Uber Eats/Bolt etc that we can use to order at the hotel?
- are there any good vegan snacks that we can buy to eat later?
You might think some of these are very obvious/strange to ask but, even when you go to countries like Spain now, conventional restaurants often think 'vegan' means 'fish and ham is okay' and so dealing with a language barrier to explain can be tricky.
Also, my go-to fall-back option is to go to a Turkish fast food place and get a falafel wrap as it's pretty much universal - but do they have those kind of places in South Korea?
Thank you in advance for any answers/advice.
vegan scene in seoul is way better than even 5 years ago tbh. the all-vegan places on happy cow are legit, but also check out the temple food restaurants around insadong - theyre naturally vegan and super traditional. for delivery, yogiyo is another app thats a bit more english-friendly than baedal minjok, but you still need a local sim to register
language barrier is real at street food stalls or older restaurants, but in hongdae or gangnam most servers speak enough english. my go-to phrase is "gogi eopneun geos" (no meat) and "yu-ja-sik" (vegan) - show it on your phone if needed. for snacks, convenience stores like gs25 and cu have these rice balls labeled "green" or "plant" now, plus dried seaweed packs and the classic sweet potato chips
falafel is actually hit or miss here. there's a place called "kebab" in hongdae that does decent ones but theyre not everywhere. your safer bet is the korean chain "plant" in itaewan - all vegan menu, burgers and bibimbap, and they deliver. august is brutal heat and humidity btw so plan indoor stuff during midday
honestly seoul is pretty good for vegan food these days, especially in hongdae and itaewon. plant cafes and vegan korean spots are popping up more, so you wont starve. for delivery apps, 배달의민족 (baedal minjok) is the main one but youll prob need a korean phone number to sign up and it might be tricky navigating in korean. language barrier is real at non-vegan places, older ajummas might not get it, but younger staff in trendy areas usually understand english okay. falafel
yeah august in seoul is gonna be rough, the humidity is no joke. carry a portable fan and stay hydrated
for the language thing, i'd recommend learning "chay-sik" (vegetarian) instead of vegan since most koreans understand that better. then add "gogi-do, saeu-do, hamsu-do an dwae-yo" (no meat, no shrimp, no ham). write it on your phone screen, way easier than trying to pronounce it right
for snacks, the convenience stores have these little soybean paste soup packets that you just add hot water to. theyre vegan and actually filling. also the dried squid alternatives made from soy protein are surprisingly good, look for the ones that say "sik-yong-yu" (plant oil) on the package
falafel is rare here but there's a lebanese place in gangnam called manakeesh that does proper ones. not as common as kebab spots though. your better bet for quick vegan food is the korean chain "lovin' hut" - they do vegan jajangmyeon (black bean noodles) which is a classic korean comfort food. there's one in hongdae and itaewon both
for delivery, most apps need a korean number and ID verification which is a pain for tourists. your hotel might help order for you if you ask the front desk, just give them cash
Seoul on a Budget: Tips 2026
Stay in guesthouses or hostels in Hongdae or Myeongdong for as low as 20,000-40,000 won per night. For a private room, try a goshiwon (student housing) starting at 300,… 🏠 Affordable Accommodation
Stay in guesthouses or hostels in Hongdae or Myeongdong for as low as 20,000-40,000 won per night. For a private room, try a goshiwon (student housing) starting at 300,000 won per month. Book directly with the property or use local platforms like Yanolja for discounts.
🍜 Cheap Eats
A bowl of bibimbap or kimchi jjigae at a local restaurant costs 6,000-8,000 won. For budget meals, visit convenience stores like GS25 or CU for triangle kimbap (1,200 won) and instant ramen. Street food like tteokbokki (3,000 won) is filling and cheap.
🚇 Transportation Savings
Use a T-money card for subway and bus rides at 1,400 won per trip, with free transfers within 30 minutes. A day pass costs 5,500 won for unlimited rides. Walk between nearby attractions like Gyeongbokgung and Insadong to save even more.
🎫 Free Attractions
Many palaces, including Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung, offer free admission on the last Wednesday of each month. Cheonggyecheon Stream and Namsan Park are always free to explore. Visit Bukchon Hanok Village for a glimpse of traditional Seoul without spending a won.
💰 Local Money-Saving Tips
Locals often use apps like Coupang Eats for discounted meal deliveries or visit traditional markets like Gwangjang Market for cheap, fresh food. Avoid tourist-heavy areas for souvenirs; instead, shop at Daiso for affordable Korean snacks and gifts.
🎭 Free Cultural Experiences
Watch a free traditional performance at the Korea House or at the Namsangol Hanok Village on weekends. Many museums, like the National Museum of Korea, have free permanent exhibitions. Check out Hongdae street performances for live music and dance.
🍺 Nightlife on a Budget
Join a free walking tour of Hongdae or Itaewon to discover cheap bars and pubs. Many places offer happy hour deals from 5-7 PM with 50% off drinks. For a unique experience, visit a pojangmacha (street tent bar) for soju and anju under 10,000 won.
📱 Essential Apps
Download Naver Map for accurate transit directions and KakaoTaxi for affordable rides. Use Mango Plate to find restaurant discounts and coupons. For free Wi-Fi, connect to the city's public network at subway stations and parks.
this is a solid list, one thing i'd add is that the t-money card also works for the airport railroad express (arex) and you can get a discount if you buy a "climate card" from the subway machines for like 62,000 won a month, unlimited rides on seoul metro and buses. also, for free stuff, the seoul city wall hiking trail from naksan park gives you amazing views of the city and bukchon without paying a thing, plus it's way less crowded than namsan. gwangjang market is great but go for the sundubu (7000 won) at the stalls in the back, not the front ones near the entrance which are pricier for tourists
honestly the guide nails it, one thing i'd add is that the t-money card deposit is refundable at any convenience store when you leave, most people forget and just toss it. also for free stuff, the seoul philharmonic does free outdoor concerts at seoul plaza in spring and fall, just show up with a blanket. if you're near hongdae on a friday night, the playground area has buskers that are genuinely talented, way better than the overhyped clubs
i live here and a few things this guide nails. one tip that saves me money is the "climate card" for 62,000 won a month, unlimited subway and bus, even works on the airport express if you're staying a while. for cheap eats, skip the main streets in hongdae and go into the alleys behind the art center, there's a place that does dwaeji gukbap (pork soup) for 7,000 won and it's way better than the tourist spots. also, the seoul city wall trail from naksan park is free and gives you killer views without the namsan tower price tag, way less crowded too