| Dietary Restrictions |
| A great concern for travelers is food safety. If you find the food of the country you visit not to your liking or even prohibited under your beliefs or religion, it could ruin your trip. Worst-case scenario, you may end up undernourished. Especially for those that are vegetarian or Muslim, such dietary restrictions could prove to be quite challenging and even cumbersome. Thankfully, there are a number of appropriate foods and restaurants catering to both vegetarians and Muslims in Korea, due to significant numbers of the population choosing alternative lifestyles. In particular, hanjeongsik (Korean full-course meal), a meal of vegetables and Buddhist temple foods, is an ideal choice that allows you to savor the unique taste of Korean food while respecting your dietary needs. Below are some restaurants for vegetarians and Muslims to ensure that their travels are both pleasant and nutritious. |
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| Vegetarianism |
| Meat is commonly consumed in Korea. It may be used as a main or side ingredient or as a garnish to decorate food. This often makes it difficult to
find a meat-free dish. However, contrary to what some may believe, there are a great many vegetarian foods in Korea , including dubu (bean curd), mushrooms, wild vegetables, and greens. As these are very nutritious, you can treat yourself to a meal that is both savory and healthy. |
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| Vegetarian Restaurants in Korea |
| Vegetarians have many different reasons for being selective. Some may be vegetarian because of their religious beliefs, while others have committed to an alternative diet for the preservation of nature or for personal tastes. A growing number of people have chosen to become vegetarian to improve their health or control weight. Most vegetarian restaurants in Korea are vegetarian specialized restaurants (including buffets), temple food restaurants, or hanjeongsik restaurants. Temple food restaurants feature pure, mild tasting, nutritious dishes. Hanjeongsik mainly consists of rice and an assortment of side dishes that are mostly namul (seasoned vegetables). These days, vegetarian buffet restaurants are a popular choice among young women conscientious of their weight or vegetarians. In addition to vegetarian restaurants, there are family restaurants featuring salad bars, such as VIPS and Sizzler. These family restaurants also serve steaks and other dishes, so they are good places for vegetarians to dine with non-vegetarians. |
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| Restaurants for Vegetarians |
| These restaurants are of course ideal for vegetarians, but are also ideal for those wishing to shed a few pounds, wanting to be health-conscious, or for those simply looking for a lighter meal to eat. Let’s take a look at some of Seoul’s most delicious vegetarian restaurants. |
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| Specialized vegetarian restaurants, from vegetarian buffets to temple fare |
| With the rapid increase in obesity among the Korean population, vegetarian restaurants offering healthy, weight-conscious food have been cropping up all over the country. Vegetarians reap benefits not just limited to weight loss, but related to holistic health as well. |
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| Muslims |
| Many Korean dishes are made with pork, and it is customary in Korea to drink liquor during or after a meal. This may be offensive to Muslims, who do not eat pork and abstain from drinking liquor. In the past, some Muslims brought canned or packaged instants food with them on their trips to Korea. To make their stay in Korea more comfortable, below is a list of restaurants serving Middle Eastern food. A list of masjids in Korea is also provided for worship services. |
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| Middle Eastern food |
In Islam, the blood of dead animals, pork, meat of carnivorous animals, and meat not properly slaughtered or slaughtered in any name other than Allah are prohibited. Even among herbivorous animals and birds, only halal meat (slaughtered properly in the Islamic way) is allowed. Therefore, Muslims may experience difficulties finding proper food when visiting Korea. Here is a list of Middle Eastern restaurants serving halal food in Korea.
-> Recommended Islamic & Indian Restaurants in Korea |
| List of Islamic Restaurants, Click here! |
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