Vegan Korean recipes are plant-based versions of traditional Korean dishes, designed to be delicious, healthy and animal-product-free. Korean cuisine is known for its bold flavors, vibrant colors, and emphasis on fresh vegetables, making it easy to adapt to a vegetarian diet.
By using key ingredients like tofu, mushrooms and plant-based sauces, you can enjoy many classic Korean dishes without compromising on taste.
A staple of Korean cuisine, kimchi – the famously spicy, tangy and fermented cabbage – is a great starting point for vegan Korean cooking.
Traditional kimchi uses fish sauce or shrimp paste, but vegan versions use soy sauce or miso to keep the flavor complex and delicious. Vegan kimchi is versatile and can be used in many dishes, from stews to rice bowls.
One of the most popular Vegan Korean Recipes, bibimbap is a rice bowl topped with a variety of vegetables, kimchi, and often protein.
Vegan bibimbap uses marinated tofu, mushrooms or colorful vegetables such as tempeh, spinach, carrots and zucchini instead of the traditional egg and meat toppings. A spicy gochujang (Korean chili paste) sauce is drizzled on top, adding a rich, spicy-sweet kick that ties the dish together.
Japchae is another Korean classic that can easily be made vegan. It is a stir-fried noodle dish made with sweet potato glass noodles, colorful vegetables and a delicious sauce.
Simply sauté vegetables like carrots, spinach, mushrooms, and bell peppers, then toss them with noodles and a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. Japchae is delicious on its own or as a side dish to other Vegan Korean Recipes.
Vegan Korean pancakes, or pajeon, are savory pancakes filled with green onions, carrots, and sometimes zucchini. A batter made of flour and water is fried in a pan until crispy.
Pajeon is often enjoyed as a snack or appetizer and served with a dipping sauce made of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame seeds.
For a hearty meal, try vegetarian Korean stews and soups like doenjang jijigae (soybean paste stew) or kimchi jijigae (kimchi stew).
Doenjang jjigae uses doenjang, a fermented soybean paste similar to Japanese miso, and is simmered with tofu, mushrooms, and vegetables such as zucchini and onions.
Kimchi Jijigae, meanwhile, is a spicy, tangy stew that features kimchi as its main ingredient. Both stews are warm and full of umami flavors, making them perfect for cold days.
In vegetarian Korean cooking, sauces and seasonings play a huge role. Gochujang and gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) are essential for adding spice, while soy sauce, sesame oil and doenjang contribute to savory depth.
Korean barbecue sauce can be made with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and brown sugar, creating a rich marinade perfect for grilled tofu or vegetable skewers.
Korean desserts are also easy to make. Try hotak, sweet Korean pancakes filled with brown sugar, almonds and cinnamon, or enjoy a refreshing bowl of patbingsu, a shaved ice dessert with sweet red beans, fruit and sometimes thick almond or coconut milk.
Let’s make your best ever Vegan Korean Recipes at home and enjoy!
31. Vegan Kimbap
30. The Best Vegan Bulgogi
29. Tofu Katsu
28. Vegan Kimchi Pancakes
27. Vegan Soondubu Jjigae without Kimchi (Korean soft tofu soup)
26. Vegan Rabokki (Spicy Korean Rice Cake)
25. Korean Vegetable Bulgogi Bowl
24. Spicy Gochujang Sesame Tofu
23. Easy Vegan Tteokbokki (Spicy Korean Rice Cakes)
22. Vegan Doenjang Jjigae (Korean soybean paste stew)
21. Vegan Japchae (Korean Stir Fried Glass Noodles)
20. Vegan Bibimbap with Korean Tofu Crumble
19. Vegan Yachaejeon (Korean Vegetable Pancakes)
18. Crispy Gochujang Korean Tofu
17. Korean Gochujang Cauliflower (Vegan Recipe)
16. Vegan Bibim Guksu (Korean Spicy Cold Noodles)
15. Vegan Budae Jjigae or Korean Army Stew filled
14. Vegan Kimchi Ramen
13. Best Korean Gochujang Kimchi Fried Rice
12. Vegan Kimchi Soup
11. Spicy Korean Lentils
10. Vegan Pajeon (Korean Scallion/Green Onion Pancakes)
9. Vegan Korean Veggie Tofu Mandu/Dumplings
8. Vegan Crispy Korean BBQ Tofu
7. Spicy Kimchi Fried Rice
6. Vegan Mapo Tofu
5. Pan Fried Tteokbokki
4. Healthy Korean-Inspired Vegan Buddha Bowl
3. One Pot Easy Sautéed Cabbage with Kale and Chickpeas
2. Vegan Doenjang
1. Gochujang Eggplant
Whether you’re in the mood for something spicy, savory or sweet, vegan Korean recipes offer endless possibilities. They’re full of flavor and color, offering a taste of Korean cuisine while supporting a plant-based lifestyle.