Quick start: find veg & halal near you (Naver/Kakao/Google)
Use Korean keywords in the search bar and keep the app UI in English. Naver Map and KakaoMap concentrate local reviews and hours; Google Maps is handy for English queries and routing. Apply filters like Open now / Rating / Distance and skim recent photo-reviews to verify broths, sauces, or alcohol use.
Copy-paste keywords
Vegetarian & vegan: temple food and common gotchas
Temple food (사찰음식) is strictly meat-free and typically excludes seafood; many venues also avoid egg and dairy, making it a reliable starting point. Still confirm broths and condiments at non-temple restaurants—anchovy/bonito stock, fish sauce, shrimp paste, egg garnish, and dairy appear often in Korean cuisine.
Show-this phrase card (KR-EN-ROMA)
“Vegan(비건)” is widely understood now, but always confirm broths and condiments in Korea.
Halal in Korea: official categories & how to verify
Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) classifies eateries as Halal Certified, Self-certified, Muslim-Friendly, and Pork-Free. Cross-check what each label implies, and when in doubt, ask about kitchen separation and alcohol use.
For certification, the Korea Muslim Federation (KMF) provides halal certification and criteria in Korea; you can review scope and processes on its official site.
Category cheat-sheet
Reliable directories & apps
KTO Muslim-Friendly list explains categories and highlights options across regions; KMF details halal certification; VisitSeoul curates vegan/temple food pieces; HappyCow aggregates vegan venues; Korehalal Trip maps halal spots and prayer rooms. Use them together and always confirm hours and policies.
Pros & cons at a glance
Search & book like a local (checklist)
- Add a neighborhood: “비건 연남/성수/홍대”, “할랄 이태원/부산 서면”.
- Sort by Newest reviews and scan photos for broths/sauces/alcohol cues.
- Call or message to reconfirm same-day menus and ingredients.
- Go before peak time; keep a backup nearby.
- Cards widely accepted; carry cash in rural areas.
Groceries & labels: spotting vegan marks
On packaged foods, look for local vegan certification marks (“비건 인증”) and international labels. Korea’s domestic vegan certification bodies provide usage rules/logos; learn to scan ingredient lists for milk, whey, egg, gelatin, anchovy/bonito extracts, etc.
Note for Korean readers: When hosting foreign guests, a brief explanation that vegan requests include broths and condiments (fish sauce/jeotgal) is appreciated.