From kimchi to noodles, this list features a nice variety of recipes for your Korean vegan table or healthy eating!
Even if you’re not vegan or vegetarian, these recipes are perfect for incorporating more plant-based foods to your diet for a healthier New Year.
If you think Korean food is all about BBQ meat and fried chicken, think again! Traditionally, Korean cuisine relies heavily on grains, legumes, and vegetables. Meat was scarce, so our ancestors didn’t eat so much meat as we do in modern days.
Also, Korean temple cooking is entirely plant-based, using seasonal ingredients which are mostly grown in temple grounds or harvested from fields and mountains. No meat or seafood is allowed! Because of the long history of Buddhism in Korea, temple cuisine (사찰음식) is deeply incorporated into traditional Korean cuisine.
For these reasons, so many classic Korean dishes are naturally vegan (or vegetarian) or can easily be veganized!
For more vegan side dishes, check out my 15 Korean Vegetable Side Dishes.
1. Vegan Kimchi
2. Nabak Kimchi (Mild Water Kimchi)
3. Beoseot Gangjeong (Sweet Crispy Mushrooms)
4. Hobak Buchim (Zucchini Pancake)
5. Gamjajeon (Potatoe Pancakes)
6. Zucchini Dumplings with Mushrooms (Hobak Mandu)
7. Dubu Jorim (Braised Tofu)
8. Oi Muchim (Spicy Cucumber Salad)
9. Gamja Jorim (Braised Potatoes)
10. Eggplant Rolls (Gaji mari)
11. Tofu Gimbap
12. Kongnamul Japchae
Or simply omit the meat from my classic Japchae recipe.
13. Tofu bibimbap
Or simply omit the meat and egg from my classic Bibimbap recipe.
14. Deulkkae Soondubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew with Perilla Seeds)
15. Beoseot Jeongol (Mushroom Hotpot)
16. Mu Doenjangguk (Radish Soybean Paste Soup)
17. Kimchi Bibim Guksu
Also try my classic Bibim Guksu without the optional egg.
18. Stir-fried lotus roots with peppers and mushrooms
You may also like soy braised lotus roots (Yeongeun Jorim).
19. Miyeok Muchim (Seaweed Salad)
20. Jangajji (Vegetable Pickles)
More vegan recipes
Oi Naengguk (Chilled Cucumber Soup)
Dongchimi (Radish Water Kimchi)
Kongguksu(Chilled Soy Milk Noodle Soup)
Oiji (Korean Pickcled Cucumbers)
Yeongeun Jorim (Sweet Soy Braised Lotus Roots)
Doraji Namul (Sautéed Bellflower Roots)
Chwinamul Bokkeum (Stir-fried Aster Scaber)
Danpatjuk (Sweet Red Bean Porridge)
Hobakjuk (Pumpkin Porridge)
This list of Korean vegan recipes was originally posted in January 2021. I’ve updated it here with more recipes for 2024.
