Korean vegetarian food_ What to eat on South Korea’s Jeju Island in case you are vegetarian

Jeju is a volcanic island, with proximity to the ocean in addition to Korea’s highest mountain – Hallasan. (Photograph by Daria Klimova by way of Pexels)

Word to readers: On-ground analysis for this text occurred throughout a latest journey on which the author was hosted by the Korea Tourism Organisation.

Rooster inventory, fish sauce, shrimp paste, prawn heads, pork or duck fats, bone broths and anchovies are widespread components in sauces and dishes in lots of elements of the world. If you’re vegetarian, it’s a good suggestion to ask your server for the checklist of components in your meal. Fortunately, most locations throughout Asia and the world supply some nice vegetarian and vegan choices.

Following is a listing of a pleasant assortment of vegetarian Korean dishes ready utilizing native and regional components, that you’ll find on Jeju Island in South Korea:

At Yungjunele Restaurant, order Goguma Twigim which is a dish made by slicing and deep-frying candy potatoes. Soften-in-mouth Tofu may be eaten with soy sauce. Pink Bean Rice Cake with spicy Gochujang, a Korean paste comprised of chillies, is a protected choice too.

Do not miss tangerines, tangerine ice-cream and tangerine goodies whilst you’re in Jeju, South Korea. (Photograph by way of Pixabay/Pexels)

An attention-grabbing aspect dish is Kongnamul Muchim, which is soybean sprouts which can be mildly seasoned with finely chopped garlic and sesame oil. Spring onions are added earlier than serving. No Korean meal is full with out Kimchi and in Jeju, you’ll be able to relish Kimchi ready with Korean radish in addition to napa cabbage. The dish is such an intrinsic a part of South Korean culinary tradition than most Koreans have two refrigerators- one solely for storing Kimchi.

Step into Hanjang Keun, one other restaurant serving Korean vegetarian dishes. A dinner right here includes a heat bowl of Seaweed Soup and Gimmari or Kimari which is a roll of seaweed wrapped round glass noodles. This deep-fried roll is a well-liked avenue meals and on the restaurant is served with Vegetable Fritters.

By the point you end soup and fritters, the grill on every desk is warmed to grill mushrooms. There’s extra soup – this one is comprised of tofu. Salad and Kimchi are staples for the meal. Japchae, which is Korean glass noodles containing the starch of candy potatoes, are stir fried and served with greens appreciated diced carrots, cabbage and capsicum.

Strive soups and noodles, together with vegetarian Japchae (Korean glass noodles). (Representational photograph by Roman Odintsov by way of Pexels)

As you discover Jeju, proceed to bask in typical Korean dishes like Kongguksu which is a chilly soup ready with noodles and soy milk. Mung Bean Jelly and child potatoes boiled down in soy sauce are widespread aspect dishes. For a spicy accompaniment, there may be Ssamjang which is comprised of fermented soy beans and gochujang.

If you’re craving Indian delicacies, then head to Bagdad Café positioned at Gwandeok-ro. A preferred eatery for vegetarian Indian meals, the pinnacle chef speaks fluent Hindi. The Butter Naan is legendary and may be eaten with both Chana Masala or Dal Makhani. Scorching Aloo Parathas or Paneer Butter Masala on a mattress of Basmati Rice are on the desk, too. You possibly can sip on Mango Lassi or savour a Masala Chai. Finish the meal with Gulab Jamun.

Comfort shops like Lotte, 7-Eleven, Emart and Cu, which may be simply recognized with its catchy signage of ‘Good to CU’, inventory quite a lot of Korean snacks, sweet, greens and fruits together with Jeju’s immensely common tangerines. Snacks embody roasted seaweed, potato chips and snacks comprised of puffed rice in each savoury and candy variations.

(Representational photograph by Markus Winkler by way of Pexels)

Ghana is the favored chocolate model whereas Pepero is so properly liked that November 11 is widely known as Pepero Day in South Korea. It’s pretzel sticks half coated with chocolate and is available in flavours of unique or chocolate, strawberry and choco cookie. These comfort shops additionally promote banana, strawberry and melon flavoured milk and are open until 10 pm.

Don’t miss tangerine ice cream and tangerine goodies whilst you’re here- Jeju’s tangerines are recognized for his or her candy style and have been eaten since centuries for his or her medicinal properties.

Good to know

Language: Whereas Korean is the official language in South Korea, English is broadly used. Communication is often not an issue. Most highway signages are in English in addition to Korean.

Getting round: South Korea has an organized public transportation system. A T-money card can be utilized throughout all public transport programs for comfort and straightforward accessibility.

Finest time to go to: The very best time to go to is throughout Spring which is from March- Might and Fall which is from September to November. You possibly can get pleasure from cherry blossoms in Spring and the colourful colors of Fall.