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:
- HomePlus
- Emart
- Coupang
- GMarket
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:
- GMarket
- Coupang
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:
- GMarket
- Coupang
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:
- GMarket
- Coupang
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 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.
