With the rapid increase in obesity among the
Korean population, vegetarian restaurants offering healthy, weight conscious
fare have been cropping up all over the country. Vegetarians reap benefits
not just limited to weight loss, but related to holistic health as well.
The body benefits from the natural nutrients, and the mind is released from
daily stress. We introduce some of the best cultural spots in Seoul to enjoy
a unique vegetarian culinary experience.
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Fresh Vegetable Wraps and Veggie Dishes, the 'Country Life Health Cafeteria'
With over 30 different vegetarian dishes and 25 years of tradition under its belt, the Country Life Health Cafeteria offers pure, organic meal options at a reasonable price. Included on the impressive menu are steamed brown rice, seaweed soup, potato pie, bean and brown rice cakes, pumpkin soup, corn bread, whole wheat bread, various vegetables, and salads. Especially popular at the cafeteria is the imitation meat, served with a mix of greens good for making wraps, pumpkin leaves, lettuce, perilla leaves, crown daisy, and cabbage. The list of ingredients for the imitation meat includes wheat, onion, peanuts,wuts, and more. Even the kimchi here is unique and vegetarian- the recipe doesn't call for the customary salted seafood. The entire menu is devoid of any meat, fish, poultry, animal fat, egg, milk, or artificial flavors, making for a fresh, gentle flavor. Whole wheat breads and cookies, juice, and chicory tea is available for purchase separately as well. The Country Life Health Cafeteria opens as a buffet for lunch hours (11:30-14:30), but during dinner hours, only groups of 20 or more with reservations are taken. The atmosphere of the cafeteria is frills-free, but the price is fantastic.
take the right alley next to Shinhan Bank for about 30m. A yellow sign on the 2nd floor level will be on the right.
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Hours of Operation: 11:30-14:30 (17:00-20:00, Groups of 20 or more with reservations)/ On Sundays, both lunch and dinner hours
operate as buffets and are open to everyone
Days closed: Saturdays
Price: 8,000 won per person
Information: +82-2-511-2402 (Korean)/
Location Seoul Subway Line 3, Sinsa Station, Exit 3. From the exit.
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A 40-dish vegetarian buffet enjoyed in an outdoor garden, the 'SM Vegetarian Buffet'
The SM Vegetarian Buffet, which opened its doors in 1996, offers a generous selection of vegetarian dishes complemented by an immaculate interior and pleasant exterior. Vegetarians flock to the buffet for a healthy, nutritious meal that also offers an opportunity to sample assorted flavors void of meat, fish, eggs, and other animal products. Imitation meats made from wheat or beans and vegetarian ham are especially popular with newly turned vegetarians who enjoyed meat. The wheat-katsu, which looks exactly like don katsu (fried pork cutlets), provides a hearty meaty flavor, and the Chinese style 'tangsuyuk' is made from fried mushrooms instead of fried meat. Other fare is an imaginative mix, including 'japchae', vegetarian 'sundae' made with bread crumbs, perilla-bean wraps made from perilla leaves and beans, fried vegetable pancakes, and vegetation sushi. Also available for purchase are imitation meats, vegetarian bread, vegetarian ramen noodles, meditation books, alcohol-free champagne, and alcohol-free beer. On a balmy spring day, enjoy your meal in a sunlit outdoor garden.
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Hours of Operation: 12:00-14:30, 18:00-21:00
Days closed: First Wednesday of every month
Price: 12,000 won per person
Information: +82-2-576-9637 (Korean)/ http://www.smvege.co.kr (Korean)
Location Seoul Subway Line 3, Yangjae Station, Exit 5. Take a taxi cab
for 5 minutes- the restaurant is located across from the Samho Mulsan
building.
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Temple Foods in a Classy Restaurant- 'Chaegeundam'
'Chaegeundam' is the place to enjoy vegetarian meals in style. Run by the same people who manage a full-course Korean meal restaurant specializing in palace foods, Chaegeundam offers a vegetarian full-course meal and even temple foods using organic vegetables. The restaurant is that diners can enjoy their meal in beautiful surroundings with excellent service. It continues the tradition of Korea's culinary arts, providing temple foods on its menu that most people find unfamiliar. Menu items include Job's tears and sesame seed soup, burdok japchae, organic salad with ginseng sauce, kimchi rice cakes, chilled tofu, sesame mushroom soup, and old fashioned miso soup. Adding to the sophisticated atmosphere are the exceptional dinnerware and utensils, as well as the striking interior- pay them a visit and try out the inimitable temple fare offered.
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Hours of Operation 12:00-14:30, 18:00-20:30
Days Closed Lunar New Year's, Harvest Moon Festival, and other
Holidays
Price 'Chae'- 24,000won, 'Geun'- 28,000won, 'Dam'- 33,000won, etc
Information +82-2-555-9173 (Korean)/ http://www.chaegundaam.com(Korean)
Location Seoul Subway Line 2, Samsung Station, Exit 3. Walk 10 minutes
on the sidewalk, and it is located behind the SMK building.
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'Idame,' a unique combination cafe
and restaurant
'Idame' a Unique Combination Cafe and Restaurant
If you want to settle down a while in a comfortable chair and savor a vegetarian meal, then the unique 'Idame' is the spot for you. Specializing in vegetarian meals and drinks, there is a cozy feel about the place that other vegetarian restaurants don't offer. The pristine white of the walls and cushy chairs along with the well-designed interior says 'cafe' more than it says 'restaurant'. The tastes on the menu are grand, but even the names of the dishes are unique here- 'Spring Light' is vegetarian fried rice, 'Angel of the Earth' is a mushroom-topped rice dish, 'Red Eyes' is imitation meat fried rice, 'and Golden Apple' an imitation meat plate. As for drinks, 13 different drinks from herb tea, coffee, and red tea are offered. Another thing that Idame likes to boast is that they offer 'Aura-Soma'- a relaxation technique using colors- by reservation. Head over to the Ewha University area to take advantage of the fantastic shopping and youth, and then stop by Idame for a healthy, relaxing meal.
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Hours of Operation: 11:00-22:00
Days Closed: Mondays
Price: 'Golden Apple' 12,000won, 'Moon and Stone' 10,000won, 'Spring Light' 8,000won, 'Arms of a Spirit' 12,000won, etc.
Information +82-2-392-5051 (Korean)/
Location Seoul
Subway Line 2, Ehwa Women's University Station, Exit 3. Walk towards the
front gates of Ehwa University. Take the alley next to Dunkin' Donuts, and
then take the first alley on the left for 30 meters.
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Faces at a vegetarian restaurant - Paljeongsa Temple's female monk, Jinsang (age 51)
Monk Jinsang, who has spent her many years on a vegetarian diet,
makes it a habit to book reservations at vegetarian restaurants
when it comes to meetings or appointments with guests. She knows
better than anyone else the benefits of a vegetarian diet, and
says that vegetarianism has the power to heal the modern person's
body and spirit. The best way to enjoy a vegetarian meal, she
says, is to chew slowly and to savor the flavors and textures
of the food- it helps the body absorb the nutrient. She prefers
steamed or grilled vegetables to those that are fried, because
they are healthier.
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