22 Aug
Dietary Accommodations
As a vegetarian in Korea, I can definitely relate to how stressful it can be to find dietary accommodations, regardless of the country you’re in. The good news is Korean food uses a lot of meat, rice, and vegetables, so being gluten-free is totally doable in South Korea. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate being gluten-free here in South Korea!
Naturally Gluten Free Dishes
Here are a few great Korean dishes that just happen to be gluten-free!
○ Gimbap 김밥 – Gimbap looks similar to Japanese sushi, but it usually includes vegetables, rice, and a cooked meat (like
tuna for example).
○ Bibimbap 비빔밥 – A mixed rice dish that usually includes vegetables and an egg, just be sure to ask that it’s not cooked with soy sauce!
○ Bulgogi 불고기- This is a popular meat used for Korean barbeque! The great news is a lot of meats traditionally eaten at a Korean barbeque should be okay. Again, just be careful about what sauces are included!
For a more detailed list of gluten-free Korean foods, I recommend checking out this website from the Gluten Intolerance Group!
Learn Basic Phrases
This one is pretty self-explanatory. The more Korean you know, the better off you’ll be. However, I came to Korea knowing just about zero Korean and a dietary restriction, so don’t stress too much if you’re a novice!
○ 저는 셀리악 병 가지고 있어요. (Jeoneun selliak byeong gajigo isseoyo.)
○ Translation: I suffer from celiac disease (I have celiac disease)
Carry A Dietary Card
If you’re unfamiliar with Korean and you have any kind of dietary restriction (especially an allergy), I highly recommend carrying a dietary card with you. Communicating your needs verbally shouldn’t be too hard. However, it’s always better to be safe than sorry! A quick search on the internet will link you to any card you might need that communicates in Korean what you cannot eat. Here’s one for celiac disease.
Be Open, Try New Things!
You might be an old pro when it comes to eating gluten-free in your home country, but regardless of your diet, moving to a new country means
trying new foods and gaining new experiences. Of course, I’m not suggesting you jeopardize your health in any way. However, maybe there’s a gluten-free food you haven’t considered trying back home. There’s no better time or place to expand your palette than while living abroad!
Restaurant Recommendations
- Sunnybread
It just so happens that one of my favorite restaurants/cafes in Seoul is gluten-free! Sunnybread is a cute, English-friendly cafe located in Itaewon. It even has an awesome view of Lotte Tower! I’ve never stayed for a full meal, but it has a wide menu of gluten-free options to choose from. What’s my usual order at
Sunnybread? A cold brew and a vegan choco-pie cupcake! - Snackroom
A cute, gluten-free cafe located near Yeouido Hangang Park? Sign me up! I haven’t personally been to Snackroom, but the menu looks like it’s full of delicious pastries and meals to try from! Plus, anywhere with a wine menu has my vote for a great hangout spot. - Jihwaja Seoul
Located just northwest of Gyeongbokgung Palace, this restaurant has a full gluten-free menu option, going from appetizers all the way to dessert! The vegetable meat skewers and hot pot sound especially great!
For more information on how to be gluten-free is South Korea, I recommend checking out these resources!
A Guide To Eating Gluten Free In Korea
Whether you are Gluten Free or have other dietary restrictions like nut, seed, egg, or shellfish, you can rest assured that there are options for you in Korea. Hopefully, some of the above tips provide a good starting point for your journey teaching English in Korea!
Diana Richtman, Marketing Assistant
Diana Richtman, Marketing Assistant Diana Richtman is a writer and ESL teacher living in Seoul, South Korea. Originally from Savannah, Georgia in the United States, Diana holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in English & Women’s Studies. After receiving her TEFL certification, Diana moved to South Korea where she works at one of Creverse’s April Institutes. When Diana isn’t working, she loves exploring Korea, drinking warm cups of tea, and scaring away her friends with her karaoke performances.