3 Best Restaurants in Seoul, South Korea

The exquisite temple food at Balwoo Gonyang could convert the most diehard carnivore to vegetarianism—for the course of a meal at least. Cooking-monk Master Dae An's creative take on temple cuisine is as enlightening as it is creative. Each course introduces diners to different mountain herbs and Buddhist cooking techniques, reflecting Dae An's belief that food should be delicious, healthy, and fun. Some highlights of the ever-changing menu include ginseng with citron sauce, lotus-leaf rice, and a truffle-like mushroom soup. Not just for vegetarians, Balwoo Gongyang is for anyone wishing to expand their palate.

Sanchon offers guests a chance to experience traditional Korean temple cooking in a beautifully decorated hanok house. Sanchon was one of the first restaurants to expand temple cooking into complex multi-course meals. While the food is quite good, the décor and the traditional Korean performances in the evening take center stage. Although it is open for lunch, visit in the evening to get the full experience.

One of the first well-known Western-style vegan restaurants in Seoul, Plant opened in 2013 as the brainchild of former designer and blogger Mipa Lee. Although Plant was first a small cafe for baked goods, its popularity from vegans and non-vegans alike has helped grow the menu and the space. Still operating as a 100% plant-based restaurant, the beloved menu includes a hummus and roasted squash salad, lentil veggie bowl, and mushroom burger in addition to its wide range of desserts. Today, Plant has two locations: this one near Itaewon Station and another in Yeonnam-dong, Hongdae.