The concept of being a vegetarian is still fairly strange to much of Korea. Many vegetarian visitors to the country experience difficulty getting natives to understand their preferences and securing a truly meatless diet. However, our Korean restaurant in Seattle is pleased to offer a selection of clearly marked vegetarian dishes on our menu.
In spite of modern day sensibilities, the Korean tradition of vegetarianism goes back hundreds of years. The concept was first introduced to Korea via its strong Buddhist influences, which actually led the country to prohibit the consumption of meat for a long while. Meat managed to work its way back into the Korean diet in the form of bulgogi and galbi, which remain favorites to this day, but the Buddhist emphasis on vegetables can still be seen in the vitamin-and-fiber-rich dishes that make up the distinct taste of Korea.