Korean Vegetarian Restaurant, Insa-dong, Seoul

It is always a huge surprise to get to eat vegetarian Korean fare! So, when I read about a Korean restaurant where I could eat anything without worrying whether it had non-vegetarian ingredients, it was a huge relief!

I am no food connoisseur; I do like to try different foods wherever I go. I have always felt bad at not having gone beyond bibim baap. Except for the temple stay experience at BaekRyun sa, I had never actually experienced Korean food. And the worst thing was that I had never ever tasted Kimchi after having been year for over 2 years. A cardinal sin, that!


After exiting out of Anguk station, it is not difficult to reach Han Gwa Chae (한과채) restaurant. I could see two tourist information centres on the way. We used the help of one of them once we felt we were taking a long time to reach the restaurant.

Getting a buffet at 10,000 won is not so common in Korea. And, add organic and 100% vegetarian(vegan) to it, and it sounds amazingly cheap.


The restaurant is located at the basement of an art gallery. The whole area is strewn with quite a lot of art galleries. The owner was so friendly. The whole place had a friendly air to it. At that time, about 2:00 pm, we were the only people in the restaurant.


I got to savour soup, rice, pancake, lots of side dishes, organic apple, sweet potato, and of course kimchi! Drinking lotus tea was a new experience. In fact, we ended up buying a packet of lotus tea!

Found that the owner sources all the herbs and organic stuff from known farmers.

It was a splendid experience and would love to visit the restaurant again!


Timings: 11:30 - 14:30, 17:00 - 20:30
Buffet : 10,000 won / person (free for children under 5)