Interest in vegan food continues to grow across South Korea. This prompted new and old organizations to start programs to certify products as vegan. Here is more information on one such organization, the Korea Agency of Veng Certification and Services which created a Certified Vegan label in Korea. Some Companies Cerifying Food Vegan in Korea In South Korea, several organizations certify products as vegan. Businesses can hire such companies to review their products and provide a certification that helps boost consumer faith that these products are indeed vegan. These organizations also offer consultation on creating vegan products and often help promote veganism within the culture. It is important to note that companies certifying vegan products operate within a capitalist framework. This presents a business opportunity, so businesses should consider this when searching for vegan food certification. Smaller vendors might not afford these certifications, but this does not make their food any less vegan. Therefore, businesses should learn to read labels effectively to find “accidentally vegan” products. Learn how to read labels to find “accidentally vegan” products. Five Companies Organizations Capitalizing on Vegan Labeling Businesses can hire the following organizations to certify their products as vegan. Such certifying companies ensure businesses meet specific criteria that exclude animal-derived ingredients and animal testing: Korea Agency of Vegan Certification and Services (KAVCS): (Which we further discuss in this article) Korean Standards Association (KSA): WECERT Korean Vegetarian Union (KVU): Vegan Society of Korea: The previous organizations play a crucial role in supporting the growing demand for vegan products in Korea. Their certification marks help consumers easily identify products that align with vegan values and contribute to the overall growth of the vegan market in the country. Now, let’s take a closer look at how the largest of the vegan certifying organizations operates. About the ‘Certified Vegan’ Status in Korea The Certified Vegan labeling is managed by the Korea Agency of Vegan Certification and Services (KAVCS). Founded in 2018, the KAVCS made itself responsible for evaluating and certifying products as vegan, ensuring producers meet the standards and requirements necessary to be considered free from animal-derived ingredients and animal testing. The agency provides certification for food and cosmetics. KAVCS is a Private Organization It is important to note that the KAVCS is a private organization. Headquartered at the Hanyang Institute of Technology on the campus of Hanyang University, KAVCS operates independently to provide certification services, ensuring products meet the vegan standards required for certification. As a private entity, it works with manufacturers, producers, and businesses to certify their products as vegan, ensuring transparency and reliability for consumers looking for vegan options. Although a private organization, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approved KVAS as a vegan certification agency in 2018.  KAVCS Responsabilities The organization provides oversight of the following: Obtaining a Certified Vegan Certification To obtain a Certified Vegan certification in Korea, businesses must follow a series of steps typically outlined by KAVCS. The below information represents an overview of how such a certification occurs according to their website: KAVCS Funding Sources The KAVCS, being a private organization, typically receive funded through various sources such as: It is unclear which specific funding sources the KAVCS utilizes, but their website implies that they collect Certification Fees, charge for consulting services, and provide training programs. If anyone knows the specifics, further information would be appreciated. It is desirable that organizations are more transparent about the costs of certification, as these numbers are often kept private. In other countries, certification may range between 500 USD to 5,000 USD depending on the complexity of the product. Not All Vegan Korean Food is Certified Vegan Since becoming certified as vegan in Korea is new and privately managed, many vegan food items may not be labeled vegan. This is why consumers also need to know how to identify “Accidentally Vegan” food in Korea. Read More About Living as a Vegan in Korea More articles about veganism on the South of Seoul Blog. Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Looking for a quick cheat sheet for finding accidentally vegan items in Korea? You came to the right place. Here is a quick list of keywords and tools you need to use when reading Korean food labels. The Struggle to Shop for Vegan Food in Korea Good news! Vegan staples such as produce, rice, beans, and tofu are very easy to come by in all parts of Korea. However, products such as clearly labeled vegan meat alternatives, egg substitutes, and dairy substitutes may be harder to find depending on where you live. This is why learning how to identify accidentally vegan items can make following a vegan diet easier. Likewise, it’s always annoying to think something is vegan “because it should be” according to Western culinary traditions and then it turns out not to be in Korea. This is why if you want to eat a vegan diet in Korea, you need to be able to read the labels. This post will give you the easy-to-spot vocabulary you need to do this even if you can’t speak Korean. Checking Ingredients of Packaged Foods Let’s start with the hard part. Learning to identify Korean vocabulary for non-vegan ingredients commonly found in foods. Here are some words to look for on the ingredients list. Hangul Words for Key Ingredients You can copy and save these to your phone for later when you are at the Corner Mart or grocery shopping: Now let’s look at how we can make this easier. Using Papago to Read Labels If reading ingredients feels too hard, you can take images of the packages and use apps like Papago to read the food labels. Below you see an example of flavored mixed nuts found at a variety of stores across Korea. Can you see the non-vegan ingredients? If you can’t easily find the non-vegan ingredient, consider using an AI tool to help analyze the labels. Using ChatGPT to Analyze Labels For example, you can upload the same photo of a food label to ChatGPT and ask it to analyze if the product is vegan. Below you can see that ChatGPT can provide far more detail and specific information. As you can see, ChatGPT clearly clarifies that these flavored peanuts contain animal gelatin. This wasn’t as easy to identify with Papapgo. As you can see, it would be easy to assume mixed nuts would be vegan but they weren’t. Also, you need to read the labels of items you might assume AREN’T vegan. You might be surprised that Asia has interesting accidently vegan items like the following. An Accidentally Vegan Find: Diary-Free Whipping Cream! It is called Vegetable Whipping Cream, but it is often overlooked because the word for vegetable isn’t in English nor does it have the vegan logo anywhere. Reading Packaged Food Ingredients Additionally, you can quickly check the allergy ingredients of packaged foods there is a handy allergen box. After learning to spot these words, you’ll be able to tell if the product contains any of the common allergens that are not vegan. The image below shows the nutritional information for a box of whipping cream. We have highlighted the allergen warnings with a blue rectangle. For this brand, the allergen information indicates that it may contain soybeans. Note: The allergen warning line on some products may indicate that the product was manufactured in a facility that also processes. This is usually denoted by the words _. Certified Vegan in Korea I am happy to say that Korea does have a vegan certification agency! I recommend taking a look at their website to see what new products to keep an eye out for. (http://vegan-korea.com) This certification makes finding vegan so much easier than it used to be, but there are still a lot of products out there that aren’t certified yet or are accidentally vegan- vegan without the company necessarily intending for it to be. Good Luck! Read More Vegan Articles with South of Seoul Ginger SmithOriginally from Kentucky, Ginger moved to Korea in 2019 with her husband and their lovely pets Beanie the Shih Tzu and Chipper the childhood cat. They enjoy cycling and hiking, and finding the sometimes hidden vegan foods of Korea. While living abroad they have been blessed with twin girls who are now toddlers. Ginger studied Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles at the University of Kentucky and is a licensed nail technician from Summit Salon Academy. Ginger has been a ghostwriter for multiple blogs and is working on one of her own. On her blog, Cottage on Pumpkin, Ginger shares about her family’s travels, crafting projects, cooking and preserving food, and DIY renovations as they build their dream house and homestead. As an author on South of Seoul, Ginger uses her decade’s worth of experience as a vegan to help others navigate the challenges that come with having dietary and lifestyle differences in Korea. cottageonpumpkin.com/

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Navigating the aisles of a South Korean grocery store can be an adventure, especially if you’re not familiar with the language or the art of decoding nutrition labels on Korean food packaging. Understanding these labels can be a game-changer when it comes to making informed food choices. Before we continue, it’s important to note that this blog does not intend to provide medical or nutrition advice. Instead, we aim to equip you with the knowledge and skills to decipher South Korean food labels confidently. So, let’s dive into the world of Korean nutrition labels! Listen to the BlogCast Don’t want to read? Listen to the South of Seoul BlogCast which provides accessible content through the use of AI technology. We don’t have time to read each article, but we do our best to make more of our content accessible. If you would like to join our Accessibility Team apply to volunteer with South of Seoul. Please note that the pronunciation of some Korean words may be inaccurate due to AI technology’s limitations. Where to Find Nutrition Labels on Packaging In South Korea, the location of nutrition labels varies depending on the food’s packaging. You’ll typically find the labels on the back of the packaging, but not all packaged foods follow this pattern. Nutrition information may also appear on the front of packages (shown in the images of Hetbahn Cooked Multi-grain Rice below) or on the sides of packages (shown in the images of Peacock Egg Potato Salad below). These label placements might differ from what you’re accustomed to in your home country, so it may take you some time to adjust. Since each section of the overall nutrition label may also appear in different locations depending on the package, so it’s important to use keywords to identify the various components of nutrition labels. For example, the ingredients list has been highlighted with an orange box in the images below to show some variations of the placements. Rather than relying on the location of the list to be consistent, look for the word “원재료명” to identify the ingredients list (also highlighted with an orange box in the images below). From there, you can analyze the ingredients using translation apps, as we’ll discuss later in the blog. The Basics of Korean Nutrition Labels Before we dive into reading the nutrition labels, let’s address some basic information related to Korean nutrition labels. Overseeing Authority The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is responsible for overseeing nutrition label standards. They ensure that labels provide accurate and useful information to consumers. Be sure to refer to information from the MFDS for the most up-to-date nutrition label standards. Comparing with Labels from Other Countries If you’re accustomed to labels from other countries, you might notice differences in layout and terminology used in Korean nutrition labels compared to labels from your country. The information required to be reported on Korean food labels may be different from the requirements of other countries, and vice versa. Still, the overarching principles of nutrition labels are universal. “kcal” vs “cal” for Calories Calories are a measure of energy, particularly in reference to the amount of energy in food or drinks. For some readers, it may be puzzling to see “Calories” or “Cal” expressed as “kcal.” Don’t worry; “kcal” is simply another way to express calories. One big Calorie (that’s a calorie with a capital ‘C’) is equivalent to 1 kilocalorie, both of which are equal to 1,000 small calories (that’s a calorie with a lowercase ‘c’). For more information on the topic of caloric units, you can check out the following articles by the American National Health Library and the United Kingdom National Health Services. Now, let’s break down the various components of Korean nutrition labels. Calories and Serving Size Let’s start by dissecting the calorie and serving size information. This information is listed on the same line as the nutrition information label, which is written as “영양정보” in Korean. Calorie Breakdown Nutrition labels in Korea use “kcal.” As discussed in the section above, a “kcal” is equivalent to the ‘Calories’ terminology you may be familiar with on other countries’ food packages, such as the United States. Serving Size Understanding serving size is important because it determines the nutritional values provided by a food product. Serving sizes can be presented in several ways on packaged food. The serving sizes are generally listed by mass (e.g., 30 grams). Here are a few examples of how serving sizes may be denoted: Example: Calories and Serving Size Using the Peacock Egg Potato Salad as an example, we will highlight the nutrition label, serving size, and calories. A serving of 110 g of Peacock Egg Potato Salad contains 200 kcal, which is equal to 200 Calories (with a capital ‘C’). As shown in the image below: Ingredients and Allergens Identifying the ingredients and allergens in a food product is important for making conscious and safe food choices. We will give an overview of how to identify the ingredient list, allergens, and possible risk of cross-contamination when reading Korean nutrition labels. Ingredient List The ingredient list on the nutrition label will tell you what’s in the product in descending order of quantity, similar to the US. You can identify the ingredient list on a nutrition label by the Korean word “원재료명.” You can use translation apps to help you read through an ingredient list, and we’ll discuss some translation resources later in the blog. Allergens: “Contains” and “May Be Produced In a Factory That…” In this section, we’ll look into a critical aspect of Korean nutrition labels: allergens. These labels provide essential information to help you identify and steer clear of common allergens in food products, ensuring safe and informed consumption. Allergens are usually highlighted with a contrasting background color at the end of the ingredient list. The allergen box may be a variety of colors, such as yellow, red, and gray. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) sets the required allergens for listing on food packaging. This list includes some common allergens that packaged food in Korea may contain, but it’s not an exhaustive one. You can use translation apps to identify allergens not listed below. Manufacturing facilities can sometimes handle allergens that aren’t part of the final product, which could lead to potential cross-contamination. As a result, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety mandates including this information on the product’s packaging. You’ll usually find this cross-contamination disclosure in a bulleted list, often positioned near the nutrition or ingredient information. The wording of the disclosure may include variations such as: Example: Ingredients and Allergens Using the Dongwon My Plant Vegan Tuna as an example, we will highlight the ingredient list, allergen list, and cross-contamination risk disclosure. As shown in the image below: Nutrient Breakdown Now, let’s decode the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals section on Korean food labels. Like the calories and serving size, this information is found under the nutrition information (영양정보) section of a food label. Macronutrients Some of the most common macronutrients displayed on Korean labels include the following with their Korean translations. You can use translation apps to identify nutrients not listed below. Vitamins and Minerals This nutrition label section highlights the key vitamins and minerals included in the food item. The vitamins are not necessarily present on all food packaging, but we have included an example of a vitamins and minerals section in the image below. The word “비타민” is accompanied by its corresponding English letter and number. For example, “Vitamin B6” would be written as “비타민 B6” in Korean. Daily Values (DV%) This percentage indicates how much a nutrient in one serving contributes to a daily diet. The percent daily values on Korean labels are based on a 2,000-calorie daily intake. This daily caloric intake may not align with your country’s guidelines or physician’s recommendations, so you can adjust your intake as needed. The product label will list each nutrient in its appropriate units, such as milligrams (mg), grams (g), or micrograms (µg). Alongside, you’ll find the corresponding percent value, calculated based on a daily intake of 2,000 calories. Example: Nutrient Breakdown Using Market O Nature O! Granola Pop as an example, we will highlight the macronutrients, vitamins and minerals, and percent daily values. As shown in the image below: Additional Information Here are a few additional tips for navigating packaged food in Korea. Expiration Dates Ensure your food is fresh and safe by following these instructions. Keep in mind that in Korea, dates follow the order of year/month/day. Expiration dates on food packages may vary in location and can be represented by a few words, such as: We have highlighted two examples of expiration dates with an orange box in the images below. Special Symbols or Icons Keep an eye out for any unique symbols or icons on labels; they may convey important information. Storage When exploring Korean packaged food, keep an eye out for storage symbols. These small icons guide you on how to store your food for optimal freshness. Food that should be frozen will usually have a snowflake symbol. The image below of Mom’s Dish Chicken shows an example of the snowflake icon in a light blue square. For items requiring refrigeration, keep an eye out for the term “냉장 제품” or simply “냉장,” accompanied by various symbols. You might see icons like a refrigerator or a snowflake (which can be confusingly similar to frozen). The image of Maniker Mung Bean Chicken Stew Package below has an example of the fridge icon outlined by a blue square. The Joowon Duck packaging uses a leaf symbol alongside “냉장” to indicate that the product should be refrigerated, as shown in the blue square. Recycling Check for recycling symbols and guidelines on food packaging. Keep in mind that garbage and recycling regulations differ by district, so consult your local waste disposal resources. You can watch the video below made by Seoul National University Office of International Affairs students to learn some of the basics of waste disposal and recycling in Korea. Cooking Instructions Packaged foods may have cooking instructions on the packaging when appropriate. Cooking instructions may be displayed in a number of ways and can be identified by images, times, and numbered steps. The orange boxes below highlight a few examples of how cooking instructions may be displayed on different products. Reading Korean Nutrition Labels Practice Let’s analyze the nutrition label from a T Asia Kitchen Pu Phat Phong package to put all the previously outlined information into practice. The first image below shows the front of the T Asia Kitchen Pu Phat Phong package, and the second image shows the back. We will number and identify each section on the food nutrition label below. The front of the package may offer a preview of some nutrition information for a product, such as: Now, when you look at the back of the package, you can see the following information moving from the top to the bottom of the package. Overall Example Translations Translation resources, such as Papago or Google Translate, may be helpful tools if you need language assistance while navigating Korean food labels. Using Papago to Read Labels Papago is a great tool for translating ingredients on food packaging. With the Papago app, you can snap a photo of the ingredients list and have the information translated in seconds. However, as with any translation app service, the information may not always be translated accurately. Watch the video below for a tutorial on how to use the image translator on Papago. Additional Resources For Reading Korean Food Labels Our Muslim readers can learn more about navigating food labels to find halal-friendly packaged food by checking out the blog Looking for Halal: Reading Korean Food Labels. For more information and handy tools on Korean nutrition labels: Conclusion Understanding Korean nutrition labels is a valuable skill when navigating South Korean grocery stores. Navigating Korean nutrition labels can seem daunting at first, but with the insights shared in...

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Are you a vegan or vegetarian looking for plant-based food shopping options in South Korea? Here are the sections where I do my plant-based food shopping at AK Plaza in Pyeongtaek-si. This may help you get started on filling your kitchen. Let’s go! About AK Plaza Food Halls AK Plaza is a brand of department stores with multiple locations across South Korea. The AK Plaza featured in this article exists in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do. The department store offers a grocery store where you can find a variety of Western food items mixed in with standard Korean groceries. It should be noted that AK Plaza tends to be more expensive than more traditional, local Korean marts. However, AK Plaza also offers a more Westernized shopping experience which may feel more comfortable to new arrivals. It’s a great place to start your plant-based shopping journey. Vegan Finds at AK Plaza Pyeongtaek Food Hall The following article provides pictures from one of my shipping trips. The images show what you might find at an AK Plaza Food Hall. This will allow you to plan for what your vegan or vegetarian pantry might be filled with. Obviously, the exact items may rotate or change over time. Additionally, different AK Plaza grocery stores may carry different times based on location or season. We all need a little help getting started in a new country. Finding the Food Hall in Pyeongtaek On the bottom floor of AK Plaza/ Pyeongtaek Station is a Food Hall that consists of a grocery store and a food court with several different food stalls and restaurants. Today we’re going to talk about some vegan items I found in the grocery store. Plant-Based Items Available for Vegetarians and Vegans Not every item in the following photos is plant-based, however, many of them are. You will need to reach the labels of each item to make sure they meet your standards. Fresh Produce When you first walk in, a large selection of produce will greet you. As plant-based food lovers, you will love trying the many new types of greens and other vegetables found in Korea. However, you may struggle with the prices of imported vegetables such as cauliflower. The fruits and vegetables at AK Plaza Food Hall are beautiful but sometimes extremely expensive and may have a lot of packaging. You can find cheaper products with less packaging in other marts but the items may not be as perfect and beautiful. Pre-made Meals After the veggies, in the tofu section, I found these pouches by Pulmuone which are like pre-made meals. I’ve tried them all before and they’re pretty tasty, especially when you need a quick meal. Just pair them with a rice cup and you’re good to go. The Spicy Garlic Bulgogi is tasty, but beware, it is spicy. There is a non-spicy one too, so be on the lookout for it if you don’t prefer spice. Dried Fruits, Nuts, and Seeds Some fruits and nuts will be expensive in South Korea, while seeds tend to be more affordable. Walnuts and peanuts grow locally so they will be the cheapest options. Pasta and Pasta Sauces Koreans love pasta so you can find a nice variety of dried pasta options in places like the AK Plaza Food Hall. Plus, plant-based eaters know that adding pasta to a vegan diet works as a versatile and satisfying shelf-stable foundational food. Generally, a good source of energy, thanks to its carbohydrate content, while also serving as a base for incorporating various vegetables, legumes, and sauces to create balanced and nutritious meals. . Seasonings and Canned Beans Miso Miso isn’t the easiest ingredient to find in Korea so it’s nice to see a couple options. Looking at the photo, I now realize that the ones in this picture ARE NOT vegan but ok for pescatarians. Some include fish dashi. It is always best to learn how to read Korean food labels. Remember that adding miso to a vegan diet introduces a savory umami flavor. Also, miso provides a good source of probiotics, essential minerals, and vitamins which can aid in digestion and contribute to overall gut health. So put some in your cart! There is vegan miso in Korea, it’s online in shops like Coupang and GMarket.   Various Fruit Spreads and Peanut Butter  Incorporating various fruit spreads and peanut butter into a vegan diet can be an affordable way to enhance flavors and textures in meals and snacks. Fruit spreads may offer a naturally sweet touch with the added benefits of vitamins and antioxidants, while peanut butter provides a rich source of protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients like magnesium and vitamin E. You can also see they have maple syrup which is perfect for baking! Pickles, Olives, and Peppers Koreans love pickles so you may find some find new kinds to try. Adding pickles to a vegan diet can infuse a burst of flavor and zest while providing a low-calorie snack option. Plus, pickles made from cucumbers are a source of antioxidants, Vitamin K, and beneficial probiotics, which can aid in digestion and promote a healthy gut microbiome. Chocolates! My purchase of the day was these Chocodates. I got the variety pack so I could try them all, but my favorite was the coconut. Of course, Integrating dark chocolate into a vegan diet can offer a delightful treat that is rich in antioxidants. This may contribute to improved heart health, reduced inflammation, and enhanced mood. Just make sure to read those labels! You can use Papago or Google Translate to make label reading easier. Ghirardelli 72% is accidentally vegan, and my favorite! Vegan Ramen I can’t pitch ramen as having health benefits, but it sure is delicious. If you add enough fresh veggies it certainly will give your body what it needs to flourish. Various Non-Perishable Pantry Items An organic section of flour can be seen below. There might not be the same amount of diversity in flour in South Korea, but stores are slowly expanding. The grocery store at AK Plaza provides what a person living along might need in their kitchen. Cooking and Dipping Oils Oils range from plain vegetable and oil to more gourmet flavored oils. Oils tend to be an important part of plant-based diets so vegans and vegetarians might want to grab a few of these when they arrive. Frozen Foods PlanTable, a popular vegan brand in Korea, offers dumplings and rice balls. Two flavors of dumplings and two flavors of rice balls. All of them are good, but I highly recommend the bibimbap rice balls. Yum! Milk Alternatives The AK Plaza Food Hall grocery store offers almond, oat, and soy milk. There are also more options on a shelf near the refrigerator. Make sure to check that the nut and soy milk don’t have milk added. In South Korea, soy drink companies traditionally added some animal milk to their soy milk and nut milk. Just double-check if they aren’t labeled vegan. Porridge For the newcomers, Sweet Pumpkin Porridge and Sweet Red Bean Porridge is almost always vegan. Be sure to check the ingredients, just in case, but these are good for quick meals. Baby Food They also have a section of baby foods including some purée pouches and lots of baby rice snacks. As always, double-check the ingredients/ allergen box, but most of these are vegan-friendly. The rice snacks are great for teething little ones. South of Seoul Planted-Based Living Initiative Through our plant-based living initiative for South Korea, our volunteers seek to enhance access, education, and support for English-speaking international residents in South Korea. We strive to create actionable and detailed information that allows non-Korean speakers ever-improving access to a wider range of plant-based resources, products, and information. We hope that we can demystify plant-based choices in South Korea, promote sustainable practices, and nurture a supportive community to inspire positive change for a healthier and greener future. You can read more plant-based living articles here: Where Does Our Information Come From? The plant-based information provided in our articles comes from international residents living in South Korea. Community members volunteer their time to document their experiences and resources so that those who come next can settle in more smoothly. Our authors may be vegan, vegetarian, or simply plant-based food lovers. Together, they work as a team to improve access. Ginger SmithOriginally from Kentucky, Ginger moved to Korea in 2019 with her husband and their lovely pets Beanie the Shih Tzu and Chipper the childhood cat. They enjoy cycling and hiking, and finding the sometimes hidden vegan foods of Korea. While living abroad they have been blessed with twin girls who are now toddlers. Ginger studied Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles at the University of Kentucky and is a licensed nail technician from Summit Salon Academy. Ginger has been a ghostwriter for multiple blogs and is working on one of her own. On her blog, Cottage on Pumpkin, Ginger shares about her family’s travels, crafting projects, cooking and preserving food, and DIY renovations as they build their dream house and homestead. As an author on South of Seoul, Ginger uses her decade’s worth of experience as a vegan to help others navigate the challenges that come with having dietary and lifestyle differences in Korea. cottageonpumpkin.com/

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Moving to South Korea as a vegan and wondering how you will survive? Well, it’s not actually that hard these days. Plant-based foods continue to grow in popularity across Korea and many can be shipped right to your house. This will likely be a blog in progress that gets updated over time. Getting Started on Your Vegan Kitchen The first month is the hardest for vegans moving to South Korea. The first reason is that you are trying to find vegan options in a whole new country, you can’t read the language, and you are waiting for your residency card, phone, and bank account. During that time we recommend ordering food online as soon as you arrive. Here are some sites to order from. We created this list by reading online blogs, interviewing local vegans, and visiting Korean box stores. We also pulled both from Western and Korean vegan pantry blogs. Therefore, the following vegan pantry blog for living in Korea mixes and matches items most easily accessed. The following blog post does not list every plant-based, vegan food item available in Korea. It’s simply a place to get started. Grocery Stores with Plant-Based (Vegan) Options The most common stores across Korea that offer plant-based options are Emart, HomePlus, and LotteMart. Smaller World/Asian/Foreigner Marts will also have vegan staples but they may be harder to find in rural areas or too far from your house when you first arrive. You will have the best luck going straight to some English-friendly websites and getting a little help from your co-workers for using your new address. Websites With Plant-Based Options (vegan) Two of the most commonly used websites in Korea are GMarket and Coupang. When you first arrive Gmarket will be the most important because it’s English language-friendly and allows you to shop with a foreign bank account. Coupang is also English friendly but you need a Korean bank account and ID for ordering. Therefore, Coupang becomes useful after you have established residency in South Korea. Both GMarket and Coupang have websites AND smartphone apps you can use. Additional websites to consider once you have Korean residency established and the Google Translate extension added to your browser: Market Kurly, iHerb, Loving Hut, and VegBox. Searching on Gmarket or Coupang One of the most important things to remember is that searching in GMarket and Coupang in English may bring different results than when you search in Korean. The difference in search depends on how companies enter their product data. Therefore, if you search “tempeh” you get different results than when you search “템페.” There will be some overlap, but often more options show if using Korean. This is why South of Seoul volunteers include the Korean search terms that we have the most success using in online searches. The following images show how the searches may vary. We used tempeh as our example: Vegan Products and Flavor Profiles Vary Korea offers its own plant-based products as well as some imported products. Do not expect to find your favorite things from home. Imported products tend to be far more expensive and less environmentally friendly. One of the hardest things about being vegan in Korea may not be finding products, but finding products you are used to using. Local plant-based food products are developed for the local taste. This means that vegan products in Korea tend to be related to Korean recipes and not Western recipes. It also means that, although Korea has a plethora of plant-based food options, they may not be plant-based food options that meet your taste preferences. Heads Up About Pricing Vegan products may be expensive. This isn’t uncommon, especially if it’s imported. HOWEVER, if see something like 100x or 10000x more expensive than usual, it’s because Coupang and Gmarket charge for each time a product is uploaded online. Therefore, companies want to continue to use the same listing. Thus, when they run out of a product they don’t delete it, instead, they make it outrageously expensive so that nobody buys it. Then, when the products are in stalk again, they drop the price. It’s a game they place to keep their costs for posting low but it looks crazy when you see it. Vegan Kitchen Staples For Your Life In Korea Now that we’ve talked about where you can get the foundational items for cooking plant-based meals in Korea, let’s look at a list of what you can easily find online to get you started: Tofu (두부) Wide variety in all Korean grocery stores. However, online you can find many different types of tofu noodles as well. These noodles can be a great addition to your Italian pasta dishes. Common Tofu Types and Terms in Korea: Health and Nutrition Benefits: Legumes (콩과) Korea has a wide range of legumes for vegans to choose from. More than you could possibly imagine and you can learn more about legume names on the Sesame Sprindles blog. It’s legume heaven. However, it’s going to take time to learn about all the different types so we recommend choosing from the following list to get started: Common Legumes in Korea: Health and Nutrition Benefits: Tempeh (템페) Tempeh has become increasingly popular in South Korea but you may need to order it online. If you use a lot of tempeh in your cooking you will want to have this order to your house immediately upon arrival. Tempeh ordered online offers more diversity, quantity, and a better price. Health and Nutrition Benefits: Jackfruit Jackfruit is common in the World/Asian marts but not everyone has this close to them. Additionally, jackfruit ordered online offers more diversity, quantity, and a better price. Health and Nutrition Benefits: Konjac (곤약) Kinjac noodles might be in stores but we have only purchased them online. They also use konjac for creating some plant-based seafood items. Nice to have on hand if you like to try making new types of plant-based meat alternatives. Health and Nutrition Benefits: Kong-gogi – Literally “Soy Meat” (콩고기) Soy meat has been eaten regularly in Korea for ages. It’s only recently been marketed as plant-based. It’s a great item to have in your home because it’s shelf-stable and tastes great. Health and Nutrition Benefits: Vegan Seafood In addition to the soy meat options in South Korea, there are also a number of plant-based seafood options that you should consider trying. Read the Plant-Based Vegan Seafood Options in Korea post to learn more about each of the following items: Vegan Cheese Vegan cheese has only just begun to become part of mainstream life. For example, Papa John’s offers two vegan cheese pizzas. Online you can find a few plant-based vegan cheese options for your Korean kitchen. Available Vegan Cheese: Nutritional Yeast (뉴트리셔널이스트) Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that is sold as a food product. It comes in the form of flakes or as a yellow powder and is often used by vegans and vegetarians as a cheese substitute because of its cheesy and nutty flavor. Health and Nutrition Benefits: Remember, the specific nutrient content of nutritional yeast can vary based on the brand and whether or not it’s fortified. Always check the label to understand its nutritional profile. Rice Go to the store and take in the magical wonder of your new rice choices. We can’t even get into that here. However, we do want to recommend picking up some of the instant rice options for easy dinners and lunches. You can order them or find them at any grocery store or corner mart. They make life a lot easier. The following image shows what the instant rice looks like. It’s what folks who live alone in Korea live off of for real. Noodles Sometimes it feels like Korea runs on noodles. Not only do you have many plant-based noodle options, but you also have many Asian noodles that make all your noodle dishes a bit more fun: Easy to Find Asian Noodles: Easy to Find Western Noodles: 10 Vegan Sauces For Cooking in Korea: Of course, you will need some delicious sauces to help bring your vegan food to life. Try some of the following that can be found online or in some stores. Remember, while many traditional Korean sauces are vegan-friendly, always check labels for any animal-derived ingredients, especially since some versions may contain fish or other seafood additives. 25 Foundational Seasonings and Spices Easily Found in Korea: The following spices can all be found on Gmarket. However, the small world marts offer a wide variety of additional spices. There are world marts for Desi food, Philipino Food, Thai Food, Vietnamese Food, Russian Food, Etc. However, sometimes it may take time to find these marts when you first arrive in Korea. Such marts often may not have their business listed on Naver. Therefore, we have made a list of items commonly sold at Emart or HomePlus and Gmarket for when you first arrive. Plant-Based Ingredients for Baking in Korea: Vegan baked goods took off quickly in Korea with vegan bakeries peppering the country. This will be the most common kind of vegan food. However, you may find that you would like to do some backing at home. Here are the ingredients you can easily access and their Korean names: Please note that while many of these terms are translations of English terms, some of them are direct transliterations (phonetic translations). This occurs because they may not be traditionally used in Korean cuisine and have been introduced more recently. Always check the packaging or ask locals for further clarification when shopping in Korea. Warning about flour: Korean flower acts VERY differently than Western baking flour. Additionally, the humidity causes things to act very differently. Expect to have some failures and frustrations when you start baking in Korea. If you stick with it, you will find what works. Read More About Vegan Living in Korea Would you like more information about living and eating as a vegan in Korea? Click Here to read more South of Seoul Articles. Join Plant-Based Pyeongtaek Would you like to share your plant-based information or would you like to learn from others? Join the following Facebook group. Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Looking for plant-based alternatives to regular seafood? Korea has a variety of vegan seafood options for you to try. Here are options we’ve come across during our shopping adventures. It’s all part of the South of Seoul Plant-Based Food Initiative. Plant-Based Tuna (비건 참치) Plant-based tuna is a vegan or vegetarian alternative to traditional tuna fish. It seeks to replicate the taste, texture, and appearance of real tuna without using any animal-derived ingredients. There are a few primary ingredients and methods companies use to create plant-based tuna: Tomatoes: This is one of the most popular bases for vegan tuna. The natural texture of tomatoes, especially when marinated and seasoned, can mimic the flakiness of tuna. The tomatoes typically seasoned get with ingredients like soy sauce, seaweed, and sesame oil to achieve a “fishy” flavor. Jackfruit: Another common base for vegan fish products, jackfruit has a meaty texture that can mimic the flakiness of fish when cooked and seasoned properly. For a tuna-like flavor, marinate the jackfruit with a combination of seaweed, lemon juice, soy sauce, and other ingredients. Legumes: Mash chickpeas or other beans and mixed with vegan mayo, seaweed, and other seasonings to create a tuna salad substitute. Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP): Some companies use TVP, a dehydrated soy product, as the base. Once rehydrated, it can take on a texture similar to canned tuna, especially when combined with the right flavors. Konjac: Use this Asian root vegetable, often used to make low-calorie noodles, as a base for vegan seafood, including tuna. Algae and Other Sea Plants: These can be incorporated to give plant-based tuna a seafood flavor. They might not serve as the primary ingredient but are often included in the mix. Plant-Based Tuna in South Korea My Plant is the most common plant-based tuna option in South Korea. It can be found in bags and in cans. The company offers a variety of different flavors that can be used in recipes for sandwiches, kimbap, sushi, or tuna rice bowls. Buy Them Here If you would like to try plant-based tuna in Korea you can shop in the following locations: Vegan Shrimp (비건 새우) Vegan or plant-based shrimp exist as alternatives to traditional shrimp. Companies use ingredients such as konjac powder (derived from an Asian root vegetable), vegetable gum or agar-agar (for texture), plant-based proteins (like soy or pea protein), and seasonings and coloring to mimic the taste and look of real shrimp. Vegan Shrimp in South Korea We have found fried and non-friend vegan shrimp in South Korea. Find this option in some online shops. Buy Them Here If you would like to try plant-based shrimp in Korea you can shop in the following locations: Vegan Fish (비건 생선) As with the previous seafood options, vegan or plant-based fish alternatives aim to replicate the taste, texture, and appearance of real fish without using any fish or other animal-derived ingredients. For the whole fish, they are trying to go for a grilled fish taste using some of the following ingredients: Tofu-Based: Firm tofu can be marinated in a seaweed-based broth to impart a fishy flavor and then breaded and fried to mimic a fish fillet. Jackfruit-Based: Jackfruit has a flaky texture that can resemble certain types of fish. Marinating young, unripe jackfruit with seaweed, lemon, and other seasonings can produce a fish-like taste and texture. Banana Blossom Fish: The flowers of the banana tree, when marinated and cooked, can have a texture similar to flaky fish. Banana blossoms are often used in vegan fish and chips recipes. Tempeh-Based Fish: Tempeh can be sliced thin, marinated, and cooked to replicate a fish fillet’s texture and flavor. Heart of Palm: The soft, stringy texture of heart of palm can be used to replicate certain seafood dishes. Seitan or Wheat Gluten Fish: When flavored with seaweed and other seasonings, seitan can be made to resemble the chewy texture of some fish. Vegan Fish in South Korea In Korea, we have found the following option for fish fillet-style vegan fish. Buy Them Here If you would like to try plant-based fish in Korea you can shop in the following locations: Vegan Fish Cakes (비건 오뎅) Vegan or plant-based Korean fish cakes, also known as “eomuk” or “odeng,” are a cruelty-free alternative to the traditional fish-based version commonly used in Korean cuisine, particularly in soups and street food skewers. The vegan version aims to capture the chewy and savory experience of traditional eomuk without using any fish or animal-derived ingredients. Vegan Fish Cakes in Korea We have found the following pre-made, plant-based fish cakes in Korea. Buy Them Here If you would like to try plant-based fish cakes in Korea you can shop in the following locations: Learn More About Vegan Korean Fish Want to learn morea about the plant-based vegan seafood options? Watch the following YouTube Videos! Join Plant Based Pyeongtaek Would you like to share your plant-based information or would you like to learn from others? Join the following Facebook group. Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Join us as we delve into the irresistible allure of Kimchi Mandu 김치 만두. These kimchi dumplings are the much loved Korean delicacy. Combining the sourness of the fermented kimchi with the hug of either steamed or fried dough, it is perfection. Let’s dig into this delicious dish! About the South of Seoul ‘A Year to Learn Korean Cooking’ Series If you are familiar with the series, skip ahead to learn more about Kimchi Mandu 김치 만두.  Many of us only live in South Korea for a year. Time flies past faster than we can imagine. At South of Seoul, we decided to create a simple series that will offer 2-4 dishes to learn each month so that when you leave South Korea you have a slew of new dishes you feel comfortable making anywhere. This series is a collaboration with Kimchi Rednecks. In 2020, they created the first blog in this series Online Resources for Learning to Cook Korean Food. These two love to have adventures in the kitchen and share the results with their community. Be sure to follow KimchiRednecks on YouTube for other great videos about living life in South Korea. About Kimchi Mandu 김치 만두 Kimchi Mandu 김치 만두 is a Korean dish that tantalizes the taste buds. These dumplings are the essence of tradition and innovation in Korean cuisine. In addition, kimchi mandu has become a highly respected gem of street food tradition in Korea. The blend of hot fermented kimchi and tender frying/steaming dough has transcended cultural boundaries. Kimchi mandu charms food enthusiasts and culinary aficionados worldwide. Steeped in a history that dates back centuries, this humble yet extraordinary creation has weathered the test of time. Although it has origins as a simple street snack, it has become a globally celebrated culinary treasure. Therefore, kimchi mandu has secured a special place in the hearts of Koreans and worldwide. Ingredients and Preparation Kimchi Mandu boasts a tantalizing blend of flavors and textures that reflect the essence of Korean culinary artistry. Typically, the filling consists of a harmonious marriage of finely chopped kimchi, coupled with minced pork, tofu, or a combination of both, enhancing the dumpling’s depth of flavor. Additionally, there may be dangmyeon (당면), sweet potato starch noodles, bean sprouts, onions or scallions. The filling is encased in a delicate yet resilient wrapper (mandu pi 만두피). Typically, the wrappers consist of a mixture of wheat flour, water, and salt. Folded into various shapes ranging from crescents to pleated pouches, the wrappers ensure that the filling is securely enveloped. Next, prepare the kimchi mandu by steaming, boiling, pan-frying, or deep-frying for the perfect bite. Tradition Kimchi mandu has a rich cultural heritage that emerged from Korean culinary history. This savory delicacy has long been cherished as a comforting and portable snack. Therefore, it reflects the ingenuity of Korean cooks in utilizing simple ingredients to create flavorful and satisfying dishes. Over time, kimchi mandu has evolved to symbolize the fusion of tradition and innovation, embodying the spirit of Korean resilience and adaptability. Beyond its culinary significance, kimchi mandu also holds a cultural resonance, often served during festive occasions and family gatherings, cementing its position as a beloved part of Korean dining experiences. However, kimchi mandu continues to stamp an impression of Korean cuisine in the international sphere of cooking. Our First Experience with Kimchi Mandu Although neither of us can recall the first time that we ate kimchi mandu, we both agree that this is a dish that we have enjoyed for many years. When we decided to make our first mandu dish, we decided that kimchi mandu was the best option. However, making mandu pi 만두피 from scratch was not on our radar. If you are looking for a fabulous recipe and information on making your own wrappers, check out Korean Bapsang for a blog and video. Hurdles in Cooking Kimchi Mandu 김치 만두 Cooking kimchi mandu can present several challenges that require careful attention to ensure a delicious and satisfying end result. Therefore, we share some of the common hurdles, so you can be successful. Here are a few things to keep in mind: By navigating these hurdles, you can master the art of creating the perfect kimchi mandu that tantalizes the taste buds with every bite. Three Kimchi Mandu Videos to Watch Are you ready to tackle the challenge of making kimchi mandu at home? Here are three videos to inspire you to make your own! We like to include three perspectives on any dish that we present 1) a Korean chef making it in Korea, 2) a Korean chef making it in a foreign country (provides options for substitutions), and 3) foreign residents making it while living in South Korea. These three perspectives provide a broader look at cooking the dish so that you can understand how to adopt it into your lifestyle. Korean Making Kimchi Mandu Korean American Making Kimchi Mandu Americans in Korea Making Kimchi Mandu Tips for Making Kimchi Mandu Vegan Making delicious vegan kimchi mandu is entirely possible. To make vegan Kimchi Mandu, start by sourcing or making vegan kimchi. Vegan kimchi omits the shrimp and fish sauce often found in standard preparations. When living in Korea, you can order vegan kimchi on Coupang or on Gmarket. Use the search term: 비건 김치. For the vegan kimchi mandu filling, mix together finely chopped vegan kimchi, sautéed mushrooms (like shiitake) for a meaty texture, crumbled firm tofu as a protein replacement, finely chopped green onions, minced garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Ensure all ingredients are mixed thoroughly. You can get creative here and use fun local mushrooms. To assemble, spoon a small portion of the filling onto a dumpling wrapper (check the ingredients to ensure it’s vegan), wet the edges, and fold, pinching to seal the edges. You can either steam, boil, or pan-fry your mandu, depending on your preference. Once you finish, you can enjoy your vegan Kimchi Mandu with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds! Let Us Know How It Turned Out When you make kimchi mandu at home, be sure to leave a comment on this blog or our video. We would love to hear how your soup turned out. We love to hear about your adventures and experiences cooking at home! Follow KimchiRednecks If you are looking for other dishes (Korean or otherwise) or reviews of local restaurants, be sure to check out the KimchiRednecks channel. We also share a little behind the scenes in or our social media accounts on Facebook or Instagram. Join Pyeongtaek Food & Fun If you live in the Pyeongtaek area, share your Korean cooking experiences with us in the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook group.  Try More Recipies In Our Year To Learn Korean Cooking Series We have many more Korean recipes that will make your life in Korea more delicious. KimchiRednecksAbout Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks) Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life. Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel. Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike. Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them. Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures: YouTube: @kimchirednecks YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks Instagram: @kimchirednecks Facebook: KimchiRednecks United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com

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Looking for vegan Korean side dishes? Did you know Korea has a strong tradition of plant-based foods so you have quite a few options? Here are 10 side dishes traditionally made without meat or animal products. Keep in mind, many modern Korean recipes do add meat to some of the following items but you can easily make them yourself in a vegan style without losing flavor. About Korean Side Dishes (Banchan) ‘Banchan’ translates to side dishes in Korean. Typically served family-style in the center of the table, they accompany the main courses and are shared by everyone at the table. Ranging from cold to hot, mild to spicy, Korean side dishes add variety and depth to a vegan meal. For our vegan enthusiasts, here are ten “accidentally vegan” banchan that promise to tantalize your taste buds. Keep in mind, that the following vegan bancan list is not comprehensive. Instead, the list focuses on the most common side dishes found throughout Korea. We also focused on side dishes that have a more subtle flavor profile. With that said, here they are: Regularly Vegan The first vegan banchan recommendations generally do not have fish sauce. These are side dishes that you should be able to eat anywhere (but always double-check). Baek Kimchi (김치) The heart and soul of Korean meals, Kimchi has variations that are vegan-friendly. Omitting fish sauce or shrimp paste doesn’t compromise its iconic flavor. For example, white kimchi is often vegan and available at most stores. Recipe: Baek Kimchi Oi Muchim (오이무침) A refreshingly spicy cucumber salad that adds a delightful crunch to any meal. Recipe: Oi Muchim Sigeumchi Namul (시금치나물) Spinach never tasted so good! A must-try for all green lovers. Recipe: Sigeumchi Namul Mu Saengchae (무생채) Radish gets a spicy makeover in this tantalizing salad. Recipe: Mu Saengchae Miyeok Julgi Bokkeum (미역줄기볶음) A delightful stir-fry that celebrates the unique texture of seaweed stems. Recipe: Miyeok Julgi Bokkeum Doraji Namul (도라지나물) Crunchy bellflower root seasoned to perfection. Recipe: Doraji Namul Vegan At Home Some of the vegan dishes on this list usually include fish sauce when made at restaurants or grocery stores. However, they can easily be vegan at home. We are including these because they are wildly popular side dishes and we want vegans to feel included in enjoying them: Kongnamul Muchim (콩나물무침) Soybean sprouts seasoned to perfection. A simple yet delicious treat! Warning: Restaurants and store versions of this will have fish sauces! Recipe: Kongnamul Muchim Gaji Namul (가지나물) Soft steamed eggplant meets a burst of flavor in this banchan. Warning: Restaurants and store versions of this will have fish sauces! Recipe: Gaji Namul Vegan Japchae (잡채) Glass noodles intermingle with a riot of colorful veggies in this festive dish. Warning: Restaurants and store versions of this will have fish sauces! You might be able to make a special request and pre-order your without meat. Recipe: Vegan Japchae Baechu Geotjeori (배추겉절이) A fresh take on kimchi, this salad is a burst of flavors and textures. Warning: Restaurants and store versions of this will have fish sauces! Recipe: Baechu Geotjeori Where to Purchase Korean Side Dishes While nothing beats homemade banchan, for those short on time or new to Korean cooking, many Korean grocery stores and supermarkets have an array of ready-made banchan. Stores like HomePlus, Emart, Lotte Mart, and neighborhood marts often have a dedicated section for fresh banchan, prepared daily. Additionally, most neighborhoods and traditional markets in Korea have stores dedicated to side dishes. Just remember to always check the ingredient list to ensure they’re vegan. Shopping List for Vegan Korean Side Dishes Want to make these side dishes at home? We want to make this as easy as possible for vegans living in Korea so we compiled a grocery that includes the Korean terms. We’ve broken the list into different categories as well to help you move around the store more smoothly: Vegetables & Fruits Grains & Noodles Seasonings & Sauces Others Optional (For added flavor or variations) Shopping Tips Now that you have your recipe list and ingredients list, here are a few tips for shopping: Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients, the world of Korean banchan awaits. From the spicy tang of Kimchi to the delicate flavors of Sigeumchi Namul, there’s a dish to delight every palate. Happy cooking! Join Vegan And Vegetarian Pyeongtaek Looking for localized insight into vegan and vegetarian life in Korea? Join the Vegan and Vegetarian Pyeongtaek Facebook Group. Members share their favorite tips and tricks for living a plant-based lifestyle in Korea. Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Wondering where to travel as a vegan in Korea? We have a great weekend trip recommendation, SOKCHO and GOSEONG! About Vegan Travel Information Sokcho and Goseong If you go online there is very little about vegan trips to the east coast of Gangwondo in South Korea. The East Coast experienced a great deal of development for the 2018 Winter Olympics but still doesn’t offer a great deal of English information for English-speaking international residents. This means folks often don’t realize it can be a perfect vacation spot for all kinds of folks, including vegans and vegetarians if you know how to plan your trip. Since we happen to be traveling with our favorite vegan formerly living in Korea, we thought we would share what our vegan trips to Sokcho look like. Vegan Trip Travel Variables Our vegan trip to Sokcho, Gangwon-do occurred over Chuseok and we traveled mostly by car. It’s always important to know what factors to consider when seeing if you can have a similar experience. Additionally, our favorite vegan bestie used to live in South Korea as a vegan over a decade ago so she LOVES vegan Korean food and came to eat local. Our Vegan in Korea History Lisa and I met Steph in rural Korea over 12 years ago. Steph moved to South Korea in 2008 and became a vegan in Korea in around 2009. At the time, she was the only vegan or vegetarian in our small international community. We all made it work and learned to support her dietary choices while living, working, and traveling together. Lisa used to take vegan trips with Steph in Korea and abroad. Since Steph became vegan during one of the most complicated times for an international vegan in Korea, she returned excited to try all the vegan things. She wanted to try what she loved before and all the new things available now. We were also interested to see how it would be traveling as a vegan in an area of Korea that hasn’t experienced as much of a plant-based revolution as other areas of the country. As for Lisa and I, we love plant-based food and support plant-based lifestyles. Especially Lisa, who would probably eat mostly plant-based if given the chance and loves to take vegan-focused trips to Korea. However, neither of us chose a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle like Steph. We simply choose to support our friends and the general plant-based community. We will talk openly about the non-vegan items that ended up on our table so that vegans can navigate the surprises better. So here is what our eating adventure looked like: Day 1: Vegan Dinner in Sokcho Steph and Lisa arrived in Sokcho via the express bus from Suwon and I picked them up in a car. Since they arrived in the evening on Saturday we went straight to dinner. I had found a vegan meal recommendation at a cafe on Sokcho that looked very delicious. It seemed like the perfect start to our vegan foodie-focused trip! When we arrived the restaurant was too cute! The restaurant offers a small menu with one vegan option clearly labeled in English. The rice bowl is served in a cast iron skillet that toasts the bottom of the rice perfectly. We did a happy dance in our chairs when we saw the menu label because we didn’t even need to double-check the ingredients. Additionally, the meal comes with some nice vegan side dishes. Each item is shockingly full of flavor. We would eat at Zeze’s all the time if we lived in Sokcho. We wish we could go back already. If you are taking a vegan trip across Korea make sure to stop here. After dinner, we headed to our minbok which also has a kitchen just in case we have trouble finding vegan options during the trip to Gangwon-do, Korea. A minbok comes with a small kitchen which makes minbaks the perfect option for those traveling with dietary restrictions. You can bring your food from home or go shopping locally and cook for yourself. In addition to the kitchen, most minbaks have an outdoor eating and grilling area. This one had a spot on the roof. Minbaks like this and pensions with kitchens make it easier for vegan families to travel together and stay on their regular eating routine if they so choose. Day 2: Goseong CU Mart Breakfast We woke up early the next morning and headed to CU Mart for a vegan breakfast in Goseong. This is quite common for us on vacation. We often eat breakfast at CU marts even if we aren’t doing a vegan-inspired trip, so we stuck with what we knew. We chose a sizeable CU Mart near a beach and found: For our breakfast, we went with mandu, granola, seaweed snacks, kim, and oat milk. We ate until we were rolling away from the table. The mandu was excellent. Steph felt incredibly happy with her vegan options and we all loved hanging out together at a CU like old times. The following mandu was excellent. (Please ignore the eggs and meat-based mandu package that we got for my husband.) Day 2: Cafe Break 1 Of course, it’s not a day in Korea without a cafe stop. Although our first cafe didn’t have vegan food, they did have a nice selection of tea or juice. All we needed while we sat back and took in the view. We sat outside here for a few hours catching up on life. Day 2: Goseong Korean Vegan Lunch Since we have been eating Vegan in Korea for a while, we have a list of foods that we love that can be found at many different restaurants. Maybe we can’t eat the side dishes, but we can eat the main course. In this case, Gangwondo is known for their potato pancake (감자전) which happens to be vegan so that will be on our table as much as possible. Of course, potato pancake doesn’t make a meal, so we coupled it with another vegan Korean dish called tofu (두부장). Honestly, this dish blew our minds a little. We could not get enough. Keep in mind that Korean dishes like potato pancakes and tofu will rarely be labeled vegan on a menu. Koreans have many vegan dishes but they don’t feel the need to market them as vegan. It’s simply culturally understood that they have no meat. We also took the time to confirm no meat, seafood, or similar products were added. Alert: Some of the side dishes are not vegan. The owners were happy to work with us and warned us their side dishes were not vegan. So Lisa and I ate the side dishes while Steph ate only potato pancake and braised tofu. If you go with all vegans, you can let them know you don’t need the side dishes. The meal will still feel complete. Day 2: Adventure Park and Cafe Break 2 After we ate too much we headed to the adventure course. We don’t only eat during our holiday! After the adventure course, we needed a little break so we went to the beach for some iced tea, hobak-sikhye, and beach silliness. Day 2: Drive Toward North Korea and Cafe Break 3 After the beach, we went up the road to take in some of the epic Goseong views of North Korea and nature. Stopped to enjoy the sun-setting. Our final stop of the day was a chocolate cafe that had tea made from cacao shells and dark chocolate. It was a nice sweet treat before heading to dinner. Dessert first if you will. Day 2: Sokcho Vegan Pizza Dinner Since Steph loves pizza, we went to Papa John’s in Sokcho for their vegan menu. The pizza chain offers two vegan pizzas, cheese and veggie. Steph chose the veggie topping option and then we asked if she could have the breadsticks with vegan cheese. Papa John’s staff told us bread sticks with vegan cheese were not on their menu but they could do it. They charged the same price as regular cheese sticks. Important: Keep in mind that access to vegan breadsticks at Papa John’s may be different depending on the location, person working, and language ability. It’s worth a try if you love breadsticks like Steph does. This was way too much food for Steph so she took leftovers back to the minbak for snacks and breakfast. Day 3: Goseong Breakfast For breakfast, we went back to the CU mart and Steph had the rest of her vegan pizza. We grabbed a light stack of drinks, nuts, and other items. We still felt rather full from the day before. Day 3: Sokcho Vegan Tofu Lunch Since breakfast was simple, we went to a hearty tofu restaurant for some soft handmade tofu with pine nuts (잣순두부) and potato pancake. This wasn’t our favorite potato pancake because it was too soft in the center for us, however, the tofu was excellent. This trip was very tofu and potato pancake-themed because it’s what we love and want to try. Not because other items aren’t available. Important: The restaurant isn’t well-versed in vegan concepts. We also ordered the spicy version of the tofu and they said it was also vegan. Therefore, we didn’t have Steph try it first because we understood the recipe. We felt there might be seafood. Sure enough, crab and shrimp. Since we aren’t vegan, this wasn’t a problem for Lisa and I. We were happy to eat it and help Steph avoid eating meat. Additionally, some of the side dishes were vegan and some were not. You will have to navigate this part yourself. You can choose to not have side dishes or only eat the ones you confirm don’t have fish, shrimp, etc. For us on this trip, we just divided up what folks could eat. Day 3: Cafe Break There are actually some vegan cafe options in Sokcho. We chose to stop at a quiet vegan cafe and grab some drinks to go before meeting a friend. The vegan cafe we chose has a busy life, detox concept. You can only see in groups of 3 or less, no regular talking, no cell phones, and they don’t have a sign. They have excellent vegan milk tea. Highly recommend if you want to relax with some vegan drinks and goodies. Since we had a group of folks, we went to a nearby park to hang out and make friends. We even tried our hand at darts. Day 3: Seoraksan Vegan Dinner In Seoraskan National Park the restaurant we chose made things easy for vegans on a trip in Korea. Right at the cash register, the restaurant listed the vegan options. Additionally, the staff clearly understood vegan requirements. It made dinner super easy. Of course, Steph got both. This was a crispy potato pancake and the mountain bibimbap was excellent as usual. It never needs the egg to be wonderful. The best part about having dinner at Seoraksan National Park is getting to hang out there when you finish. The views are epic. This was our final stop before heading back to the big city of Pyeongtaek. Sokcho and Goseong Vegan Trip Take-Aways Eating vegan on the trip to Sokcho and Goseong felt easy and sustainable for us but we realize it may not feel that way for others. We ate extremely well every day and didn’t get through our list of places to try. However, we also realized that it was easy for a few key reasons: The trip helped us see where information can be improved so that more people can feel as comfortable as we do sourcing vegan food options. The perfect start for our plant-based information initiative. Plan a Vegan Trip to Gangwondo If you don’t have a strong understanding of Korean cooking and the Korean language, consider having a Korean-based tour company plan your trips. We recommend considering Plus Planner. They are a Korean...

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Welcome to the South of Seoul Plant-Based Food Initiative! Our mission is to inform and empower international residents living in South Korea with information, awareness, and accessibility to plant-based foods. Dive in to discover what we’re all about and how you can get involved. Our Vision The South of Seoul “Plant-Based Living in Korea” Initiative aims to improve English language access to plant-based living information. Additionally, we aim to cultivate a community that thrives on inclusivity, knowledge, and shared passion for sustainable food. Our objective is clear: celebrate the plant-based richness of South Korea while fostering a global community that resonates with these values. Who Can Get Involved All people interested in eating more plant-based foods are welcome to join the conversation and share information. You don’t need to be a committed vegan or vegetarian, I’m sure not. Meaning of Plant-Based Living “Plant-based living” is a term that has been gaining traction in recent years. At its core, plant-based living embodies a lifestyle that prioritizes the consumption of plant-derived foods and minimizes or excludes animal-derived products. However, plant-based living exists as more than a dietary choice; it’s a holistic approach to health, environmental responsibility, and often, ethical considerations. Plant-based living represents a conscious choice to promote personal health, protect the environment, and often, uphold ethical values regarding animal welfare. Like any lifestyle, the degree to which one follows plant-based living can vary. Some might fully commit, while others might adopt certain aspects. Regardless of the approach, the rise of plant-based living indicates a growing awareness of the interconnectedness of our health, the foods we consume, and the world around us. This means it includes vegans, vegetarians, and those who want to increase their plant-based consumption. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the key points many plant-curious people consider: Dietary Aspects Health Benefits Environmental Implications Ethical Considerations What We Want to Do with the Initiative The South of Seoul plant-based initiative would like to foster inclusivity & accessibility: Collaborative Spirit We want to foster collaboration. From local farmers nurturing organic produce to vegan influencers echoing the plant-based movement, we seek partnerships that amplify our mission. If you resonate with this spirit, come, and collaborate with us. Embracing Sustainability For us, it’s more than just food. We want to prioritize eco-friendly ingredients or advocate for sustainable consumption practices, our narrative is clear: Eat well, live responsibly. Evolving Together Your voice matters. We would love to share your stories and recommendations for living plant based in South Korea. Our Invitation Are you ready to be a part of this journey? Volunteer with us and help bring this vision to life! Plant-Based Initiative Articles Thank you to everyone who shared information about plant based living in Korea: Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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