With the world being hit by the Hallyu wave, Korean food has seen a meteoric rise in its popularity. From tteokbokki to dakbal, watching our favourite idols and Kdrama characters enjoy it all has well acquainted us with Korean food and instilled a curiosity for the cuisine.
Often considered predominantly non-vegetarian, Korean food is quite vegan-friendly. Not only can the majority of dishes be customised to suit your dietary preferences, but there are many that are inherently vegan. The next time you're craving Asian food but want it vegan-friendly, these Korean dishes are a must-have.
While this is by no means an exhaustive list, here are 7 vegan-friendly Korean dishes you need to try
1. Sundubu Jjigae
In Korean, jjigae is a stew, and while there are better-known versions, sundubu jjigae or the spicy soft tofu stew is a wholesome dish while being quite easy to make. The key ingredient is freshly curdled soft tofu, with vegetables of your choice in a spicy gochujang and sesame oil sauce. You can also pair it with some kimchi rice for a hearty meal.
2. Goguma Mattang
Candied sweet potatoes or mattang is made by deep frying sweet potatoes and then coating them with a sweet caramel sauce. Doubly crunchy, they’re then sprinkled with black sesame seeds. Usually had as a snack or side dish, we think mattang would be perfect on a rainy cold evening.
3. Bindaetteok
Savoury pancakes made up of moong dal batter, bindaetteok is a meal in itself. Served on traditional holidays, it has multiple variants. You can add kimchi to it, or vegetables of your choice for a bit of crunch and burst of flavours.
4. Japchae
A lot of Korean dishes can be customised according to your dietary preferences, like the much-loved japchae. A bright colourful dish, Japchae is made of potato starch glass noodles that are stir-fried with vegetables, in a tangy spicy sauce.
5. Gamja Jorim
Braised Korean potatoes or gamja jorim is a simple and mind-blowing side dish. Baby potatoes are braised in a pot and then glazed in a sweet garlicky soya sauce to make this dish. You could also drizzle some toasted sesame oil, or chilli oil for a burst of flavours. Pair it with fresh boiled rice.
6. Kongguksu
Relatively lesser known, kongguksu or cold soy milk noodle soup is just the dish for you if you’re not a fan of strong spicy flavours in Korean food. With a mild profile, you can add a bit of sugar for a sweeter flavour, and some salt if savoury is your more your taste.
Generally consumed in hot summers, kongguksu is best served with thin slices of cucumbers and toasted sesame seeds.
7. Hobak Mandu
Known for its simple subtle flavours and primarily plant-based ingredients, Korean temple food has some of the best vegan-friendly dishes for you to try. The Korean dumplings are called mandu, and hobak mandu is a dumpling with a filling of zucchini. These are steamed, then cooled in cold water and served. To balance the mild flavours, you can pair it with a spicy soya sauce dip.
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