Chinese
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Chinese food. Could ask 3 dishes into vegan version: JjamPong짬뽕, JjaJangMyen짜장면, KkanPoongGi깐풍기. 육류를 취급하나 비건 옵션이 있습니다. 짬뽕, 짜장면, 깐풍기 등 3가지 음식은 비건 음식으로 즐기실 수 있습니다. Open Tue-Sun 11:30am-3:30pm, 5:00pm-9:30pm.
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386-2, Mangwon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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Last update on 28 Aug 2023 by LilianKällo
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Added by GraceHong on 15 Jun 2016
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24 Reviews
First Review by GraceHong
MartaPf
Points +1120
Good taste, easy to navigate - Edit
I had been craving jjajangmyeon for days, and it’s not that easy to find vegan jjajangmyeon in Seoul unless you travel for a bit. This Chinese restaurant is about 15 min by bus from the heart of Hongdae.
Read moreFrom the start, the staff was very welcoming and cleared a table for us very quickly. There isn’t much hassle to order, since you place your order via tablet. You can choose English as a setting and there is a section for vegetarian dishes, where it seemed most were actually vegan. After placing the order the food came fairly quickly. While you don’t speak to staff to order, they are very attentive and are around to help out if you need anything. Some utensils like tongs or scissors are self-service. After the meal, you go up to the counter, tell them your table number and pay.
The food was good, tasty and the portions were generous, even tho I saw other tables with bigger portions, so maybe the vegetarian dishes only come in smaller portions than the rest.
Not the best jjajangmyeon I’ve tried, but definetely satisfying. Japchaebap also tasty. Can’t say kimchi was vegan friendly, didn’t taste it but it didn’t smell fishy, maybe ask if you really want some.
Prices for basic dishes are fair, but i saw some other dishes were pretty expensive.
Would go back if i find myself at Hongdae at diner.
Updated from previous review on 2024-10-29
Guest
Yeri
Points +3501
One of my favorites - Edit
I've tried Jajangmyun(black bean noodle), Jjamppong, eggplant Tangsu and Mapo tofu rice😄The mapo tofu is a newly added menu and was sadly quite disappointing but the rest are soooo tasty!
Read moreGuest
Happysoiboi
Points +1053
10/10 - Edit
Definitely worth the hype.the prices can get expensive (25,000 for the eggplant, but it’s so worth it!) japchae was amazing. The flavours were just so good. The place was PACKED 7 mins after opening… come early!
Read moreGuest
bongbong733
Points +14403
Great veganized food for Insiders - Edit
UPDATE February 2023: Seems like the owners / all staff including the chefs have changed. The food here tastes different now...
Read moreThis restaurant serves great Korean-Chinese food, which can be veganized upon request. You won't find vegan dishes on the menu, however, so this location is for 'insiders'...😉Also, it is necessary to speak Korean or even better Chinese to communicate your needs.
Best is to say right at the beginning that you eat vegan:
"Wǒ chī sù de." 我吃素的.
Then the cook can customize a couple of dishes.
The noodles in Jjamppong (짬뽕) and Jjajangmyeon (짜장면) are hand-made, which I find awesome! Personally, I find that their fried mushrooms in Kkanpunggi-style (깐풍버섯 乾烹香菇) as well as sweet-and-sour mushrooms (탕수버섯 糖酸香菇) taste much better here than at other Chinese restaurants I've been to in Korea. (Chinese food in China tastes different again, of course.)
This place can get a little noisy during regular lunch and dinner times, because it is also popular among non-veggies. Besides, the restaurant has large windows, so the atmosphere is bright and clean but nothing fancy. Toilet facilities are located outdoors.
Overall, if you feel like indulging in Korean-Chinese food, this place is very much recommended!
Updated from previous review on 2019-06-21
Pros: taste good
Cons: language skills necessary, food used to taste much better ;(
Guest
Seyheeya
Points +20
Excellent Vegan options - Edit
Mushroom tangsuyuk, eggplant with chilli sauce, vegan jjambbong, and vegan jjajangmyun were all excellent. Would love to return.
Read morePros: Lots of options, Amazing texture of mushroom tangsuyuk, Good flavor
Guest
tomatolover
Points +165
Good food, could be cleaner - Edit
I came here with high expectations for the eggplant with chili sauce, and it met my expectations. The tofu stuffing added good texture. The vegan jajangmyun was also delicious. Unfortunatley the spoon was a bit oily on the handle.
Read morePros: Tasty food
Cons: Dirty spoon
Guest
meejisu
Points +2290
Now I know why everyone is talking about 가원 - Edit
The food is nice, friendly staff
Read more가지칠리… is… really really tasty
Sweet, spicy, crunchy, chewy and everything
I heard so many times ppl crying about it
Now i know why
Pros: 가지칠리…
Guest
gentletomato
Points +1053
Solid - Edit
The best dish here is definitely the Chili Eggplant. This will impress vegans and meat eaters alike. Its not as spicy as it looks in the photo, but its incredibly flavorful.
Read moreJjajangmyeon here is also pretty good. Chinese naengmyeon is refreshing and a unique dish. Jjambong is okay but not my favorite that Ive had. Other dishes Ive had here include mapo tofu and pyogyoboseot tangsuyuk. I wasnt a big fan of either if these, but if you like these dishes in general I think you would like them here.
Staff are friendly and familiar with vegan.
Guest
tesssss
Points +5968
hits the spot - Edit
if you are craving vegan korean chinese food, here is a good place to go. the portions are large and it’s great to share with friends. i really loved the eggplant dish and the noodles are yummy too!!
Read moreGuest
Zneka
Points +52
Gonna catch them all - Edit
It's hard to find vegan food in Korea, everything contains fish or meat. But here is surprisingly a ton of delicious options. Tried Mapatubu and Jajangmyeon, never regret. For sure I'll be back and try all the options)
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Quick service, Affordable
Guest
SteveH
Points +19157
Chinese escape - Edit
Sure it is not a vegan restaurant but they are used to getting local vegans so adapt their dishes as needed.
Read moreFried eggplant stuffed with tofu was clear winner. Staff were all friendly. Useful to have a Korean or Mandarin speaker if go here but sure you could get by with pics from here.
Guest
vegan_nyam
Points +1547
맛있습니다 - Edit
가격대가 조금 있지만 가지칠리 최고입니다
Read moreGuest
Gyeonghwa
Points +31
가지두부칠리 최고.. 중국냉면도 비건가능해요~!~!~! - Edit
Gajidubuchili(fried eggplant tofu with chili sauce) is best!!! Chinese 냉면(naengmyeon) also vegan.
Read moreGuest
mainemaine01
Points +818
So delicious! - Edit
I would give 5 stars if I could. The taste is great, the preparation of the food quick and the dishes come with free pickled radish and tea. We had eggplant filled with tofu (25000 won, but a huuuge portion - try it out!) and JjaJangMyen (7000 won). We ate there a few times, because it was so delicious. I can really recommend this restaurant.
Read morePros: Big portions, Cheap, Taste is amazing
Guest
ValerieMerr
Points +484
Deserves Five Stars - Edit
Wow. I haven't been to China but I've had loads of Chinese food in the USA. The tofu wrapped eggplant is unique and wonderful (25,000).
Read moreThe sauce is familiar to me: a little spicy, a little sweet, and something I've made at home before. But the eggplant and tofu were fantastic. It is hot and delicious and fried up perfectly! I ordered a side of rice for 2,000 to eat up all the sauce.
As others have mentioned, there is a language barrier, and the menu does not mention vegetarian/vegan food. But if you speak with an older woman (or man as mentioned in another review), they should be able to help you. My meal was large and could be shared but I enjoyed it all to myself.
I went with meat eating friends who agreed my dish was the best (but they also enjoyed their own dish), so it's great for a mixed group.
The dinner also comes with tea and korean side dishes (kimchi, pickled radish, onion, etc).
Pros: Delicious, unique, filling, small business
Cons: Expensive
Guest
Seol
Points +124
Try chilly eggplant plz - Edit
Just try it, and don’t forget to ask to make it vegan
Read moreGuest
Rheeyeiji
Points +65
Awesome fried eggplant💛💜 - Edit
채식짜장면에는 고기대신 두부가 들어갔고 거의 대부분의 채식요리들이 그렇듯 깔끔합니다. 가지튀김은 가지사이에 두부가 들어가있어서 독특하고 맛잇네요. 칠리소스도 너무 맵지않아서 맛있게 잘먹었어요.
Read more(Jajangmyeon with small chopped tofu. Fried eggplant with tofu was unique and delicious.)
Pros: 접근성이 좋고 음식이 빨리나와요, Close to subway station , Quickly served meals
Cons: 메뉴판에 채식이란 글자가 없어요.., Menu board was unfriendly for vegan.
Guest
veglover89
Points +773
Soooo good!! - Edit
Soooo tasty! I had Mapo tofu, jajimyeong, and the eggplant wrapped tofu. Only one older man knows about the vegan options, so you have to ask him about them in korean. They aren’t marked on the menu.
Read morePros: Food!!!, Food!!!, Food!!!
Cons: Menu isn’t properly marked , Only one man knows about the vegan options
Guest
TaeYoungYoon
Points +19
please write “vegan option available” on menu!!! - Edit
This was my first time at gawon, and i loved the food.
Read moreEspecially the eggplant chilli, IT WAS AWESOME.
But I would really like them to WRITE whether vegan option is available or not... instead of having to ask verbally...
Guest
Rhea.L.M.
Points +1764
Scrumptious veganized Chinese food - Edit
Jajangmyeon, Mapotubu, Japjaebap, eggplant-tofu bundles, Mushroombap, Jjambong~~~ flavorful and filling.
Read moreThe restaurant description needs to be updated. A group of 12 vegans attended and we able to get SIX dishes veganized (requested in Korean). Delic.
Pros: Six veganizeable dishes, Good portions, Tasty
Cons: Kitchen isn’t fully vegan
Guest
drunkentiger
Points +170
hand down ! above expectation - Edit
I’m vegan korean . So craving for this blackbean paste noodle (짜장면 ;Jia Jang Mian ) coz it’s very difficult to find vegan JJM . I haven’t taste this noodle for 5yrs . And this just blow my mind . They cooked with deep fried tofu. We also tried deepfried sweet and sour Eggplant stuffed with tofu . Was fantastic ! Should come back again .
Read moreGuest
Knauji82
Points +2395
another great place for black noodles! - Edit
I ask the young waiter about the veggie options and he didn't know about it. He sent the older lady to me and she knew what i was talking about. That was the best vegan 짜장면 ever!!
Read morePros: it's so good!
Cons: nothing on the menu - you have to speak korean and
Guest
Cameron2786
Points +86
!!! - Edit
I am so glad that someone found out that this place makes non-meat jjajiongmyun and tangsuyuk. The waitress at the restarant didn't even know that the chef makes meatless dishes. My partner and I both got jjajiongmyun and it was fantastic! The tangsuyuk replaces pork with shitake mushrooms. It's simple Korean Chinese food, but in a country where meat is everywhere, it was really great to be able to go to a restaurant and get my favorite Korean Chinese staples without meat.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2016-08-06
Pros: tangsuyuk, jjajiongmyun
Guest
GraceHong
Points +486
additional menu - Edit
also can ask sweet & sour fried mushroom in Vegan version 채식 버섯탕수육.
Read morePros: excellent food,
Guest
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