Naturally Vegan and Accidentally Vegan Korean Dishes
Contrary to popular belief, a significant portion of traditional Korean cuisine is either naturally vegan or can be made vegan with simple substitutions. Drawing inspiration from Buddhist temple food, which is inherently plant-based, these dishes rely on vegetables, grains, legumes, and fermented pastes for their flavor and substance. This section explores some of the most prominent naturally vegan or easily adapted dishes.
Staple Plant-Based Korean Dishes
- Japchae (잡채): A festive dish of stir-fried glass noodles made from sweet potato starch. While often prepared with beef and egg, the dish's foundation of noodles, carrots, spinach, onions, and mushrooms is completely plant-based. A vegan version simply omits the meat and egg, allowing the savory, sesame oil-infused flavors to shine.
- Kongguksu (콩국수): A seasonal favorite, this chilled noodle soup is perfect for summer. Its rich, creamy broth is made from ground soybeans, and the dish is typically served with cucumber and sometimes a tomato slice. Be mindful that restaurants sometimes top it with a non-vegan garnish, such as a boiled egg.
- Gamja Jorim (감자조림): A simple but satisfying side dish of braised potatoes. The potatoes are cooked in a savory-sweet soy sauce glaze and are naturally vegan.
- Dubu Jorim (두부조림): Braised tofu is a protein-packed and flavorful side dish. Tofu slices are pan-fried and then braised in a savory, spicy sauce, often based on soy sauce, garlic, and gochugaru.
- Bindaetteok (빈대떡): These crispy, savory pancakes are made from ground mung beans. They are a classic street food and can be made fully vegan by ensuring no meat is mixed into the batter and that a plant-based oil is used for frying.
Veganizing Common Korean Favorites
Many beloved Korean dishes can be made vegan with a few smart substitutions. The key is understanding the base ingredients and asking the right questions when dining out or adapting recipes at home.
How to Veganize Popular Dishes
- Bibimbap (비빔밥): This classic mixed rice dish is a perfect candidate for veganization. The base of rice and mixed vegetables is already vegan. Simply request it without the beef and egg and ensure the gochujang (red chili paste) is made without shrimp paste or other animal products.
- Kimchi-jjigae (김치찌개): Traditional kimchi stew relies on kimchi fermented with fish sauce or shrimp paste and is often made with a meat or anchovy broth. A vegan version requires vegan kimchi and a vegetable broth base. The stew can be made with tofu, mushrooms, and other vegetables.
- Tteokbokki (떡볶이): The chewy rice cakes in a spicy sauce are usually cooked in a broth made with dried anchovies. To make it vegan, use a vegetable broth base, and ensure the rice cakes and sauce are free from non-vegan additives.
- Kimbap (김밥): Similar to Japanese sushi rolls, kimbap is typically filled with vegetables, rice, and sometimes meat or egg. Vegan kimbap is made by using only plant-based fillings, such as pickled radish (danmuji), carrots, spinach, and seasoned tofu or mushrooms.
- Doenjang-jjigae (된장찌개): This fermented soybean paste stew is a staple, but it's often made with anchovy broth. A vegan version uses a mushroom or vegetable broth and can include tofu, zucchini, and mushrooms.
Comparison of Traditional vs. Vegan-Friendly Korean Dishes
| Dish | Traditional Version | Vegan-Friendly Approach | Key Vegan Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bibimbap | Rice, mixed vegetables, gochujang, beef, and a fried egg. | Rice, mixed vegetables, vegan gochujang, tofu, and optional vegan egg substitute. | Must explicitly request no meat and egg; verify gochujang ingredients. |
| Japchae | Sweet potato glass noodles with vegetables and often beef. | Omit beef; use mushrooms or tofu for extra protein. | Relatively easy to veganize; omit meat and egg. |
| Kimchi-jjigae | Kimchi fermented with seafood, pork or tuna, and anchovy broth. | Use vegan kimchi and vegetable broth, add tofu and mushrooms. | Requires checking for vegan kimchi and a plant-based broth. |
| Tteokbokki | Rice cakes in a spicy sauce with a fish-based broth. | Use vegetable broth and ensure the rice cakes are vegan. | Often a hidden animal ingredient in the broth. |
| Dubu Jorim | Braised tofu in a soy-based sauce. | Often naturally vegan or easily made so. | Confirm no seafood broth or honey used in the sauce. |
A Guide to Vegan Korean Cuisine: More Dishes and Dining Tips
Exploring vegan Korean cuisine can be a delicious adventure, but it requires some awareness of potential hidden animal products, especially when dining at restaurants.
More Vegan and Veganizable Dishes
- Korean Banchan (Side Dishes): Many banchan are naturally vegan, including seasoned spinach (sigeumchi namul), spicy cucumber salad (oi muchim), and braised potatoes (gamja jorim). Always ask if any contain fish sauce or shrimp paste.
- Juk (죽): Porridge, a comforting and light meal, has several vegan varieties. Look for pumpkin porridge (hobak juk) or red bean porridge (patjuk).
- Hotteok (호떡): These sweet, cinnamon-filled pancakes are a popular street food. The dough is often vegan, but some vendors may use honey, so it's best to confirm.
- Namul (나물): This category includes various seasoned vegetable side dishes. Common types are fernbrake (gosari) and bellflower root (doraji).
Tips for Vegan Dining
- Communicate Clearly: Learning a few basic Korean phrases can be extremely helpful. For example, '저는 채식주의자 입니다' (joneun chaesikjjuija imnida) means 'I am a vegetarian,' but specifically mentioning 'no meat' (고기 금지 - gogi geumji) and 'no fish sauce' (액젓 금지 - aekjeot geumji) is even better.
- Seek Out Temple Food: Korean temple cuisine (사찰음식 - sa-chal uum-shik) is traditionally vegan and focuses on natural, seasonal ingredients. Seeking out a temple food restaurant guarantees a plant-based meal.
- Check Ingredients: Be aware of common non-vegan additions like fish sauce (액젓 - aekjeot), shrimp paste (새우젓 - saeujeot), and anchovy broth (멸치 육수 - myeolchi yuksu).
- Don't Be Afraid to Customize: Many restaurants will happily omit or substitute ingredients if asked politely. For dishes like bibimbap, you can often request to hold the meat and egg.
Conclusion
Korean cuisine offers a surprisingly rich and satisfying array of options for vegan diners. From naturally plant-based staples rooted in temple food traditions to popular dishes that can be easily veganized, there is no shortage of flavor and variety. By understanding common ingredients and making informed choices, you can enjoy delicious, authentic Korean meals while adhering to a plant-based diet. Embracing vegan Korean food is a journey into a vibrant culinary world that is both healthy and deeply satisfying.
The Korean Vegan Blog is a great resource for home recipes and further insight into vegan Korean cooking.
