What does a vegetarian do when they find a vegan restaurant in Korea? (gasp!)
They fall to their knees and thank the Korean Christian god- I have never been so grateful for a restaurant in my life! A block and a half away from Kyodae subway stop & the Daegu National Education University, there it was- my first vegan restaurant in Korea. To look at a menu with both, pictures (so that you can see exactly what you get ) and dishes without veggie restrictions is enough to make you jump up and down and squeal like a little boy with excitement, while foreseeing your year filled with food again. I immediately posted this restaurant to the Happy Cow online restaurant guide.
- Spicy Soon Doo Boo Jigae
While I might easily have found vegetarian curried dishes at an Indian restaurant, the Loving Hut offers a small menu of Korean/Asian tofu, soy protein dishes and noodle dishes (such as Doenjang jigae, Bibimbap, Jajangmyeon, Soon Doo bu jigae), along with the standard sushi, veggie burger, salad and fries. The foods are extra delicious and cheap with many dishes ranging from $3-5. Soon Doo bu jigae was something I had craved but haven’t been able to have since I arrived into Korea, for one simple fact- I didn’t know what restaurants to look to to find it. The dumplings and spring rolls were scrumptious enough to melt in my mouth and make me feel like all those long weeks of starvation were worth my wait.
While the restaurant decor lends itself to a stark white kitchen cafe that may look less than exciting, the food more than makes up for it. Vegetarian recipe books and soy protein packages are available for purchase there also. The Loving Hut restaurant is part of an international chain with locations in the U.S. around the world. It was founded by followers of Supreme Master Ching Hai, an advocate for vegetarian living.
Loving Hut (website)
1794-7, Daemyeong 2-dong
Daegu Nam-gu, Daegu South Korea
053-622-7230
Price: $3-8 Cash only.
Vegan-friendly, Korean, Asian, Western, Take-out
10:30 AM ~ 8:30 PM ( First & third Sunday Closed)
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Ooo, it’s by the National University of Education?? I just found out I have to go back there to sign extra pages of my contract. Ugh. At least I can check out this restaurant while I’m there! Let me know if you have to go back, or if you ever want to meet for dinner there
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thanks for your information, i love it
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We were only in Busan 2 days and we ate at Loving Hut there twice. Loved that place – cheap, yummy and all veggie.
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The Loving Hut in Jeju City closed down about a month ago….
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Christine Ka'aloa Reply:
July 16th, 2011 at 12:43 am
@TT: Oh no! I actually wish I knew there was a Loving Hut in Jeju. I had difficulty finding food, but I was also on the opposite side of the island vs the city side.
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OMG A VEGAN RESTAURANT!!!! I will definitely making a trip here!!
Samantha recently posted..How it all began
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Christine Ka'aloa Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 11:09 am
@Samantha: Remember, there’s a whole chain in Korea!
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just found this blog – nice one!..I’ve been here since 2007 and pretty strict vege in Busan. I can confirm there is a bunch of amazing vege restaurants on Jeju island – I think you need to read korean to find them tho..I went to at least 3 or 4 (all non Loving Hut) and they served traditional hanshik vege style (the best K-vege food in my opinion) .. its frustrating to know there are many good places that us foreigners completely miss out on cos they’re not advertised…
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Christine Ka'aloa Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 11:16 am
@Duncan: I couldn’t agree with you more– I’m sure there’s a wealth we miss out on due to a lack of understanding the culture and language. I’m totally blown away that you were able to find veggie restaurants on Jeju. It was starvation island for me. I spent most of my time seeking out Emarts; everything seemed to be either, in Korean or seafood joints! Were the veg places mostly in the downtown area? As for “hanshik” style, I’m not familiar with it. What is it?
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