Vegan
Asian
Korean

마루 자연식김밥 is a traditional Korean restaurant in Insadong serving bunsik, kimbap, udon, dumbling, stir fry spicy rice paste (TTeok), fish cake soup, and more. Occasionally closes at 5:00 pm (twice a month 1st and 3rd Wednesday.) NOTE: Has signs associated with Loving Hut. Open Tue-Sun 10:30am-7:30pm. Closed Mon. Last order: 7:00 pm.


Venue map for Maru JaYeonSik Kimbap
© OpenStreetMap contributors

337 Reviews

First Review by Rosaespanola

Danielsass

Points +134

Vegan
17 Dec 2024

Sweetest Owner Couple, great dumplings

Small shop, decent taste, we had 2nds and 3rds of the dumplings. Can be a bit cold in the winter. Some vegan flyers on the side.
Amazing owners. I asked them if Veganism is more popular now than when they started more than 20 years ago & they say young ppl are embracing it!

Updated from previous review on 2024-12-17

iokan

Points +1792

Vegan
15 Dec 2024

The best vegan gimbap in Seoul (also: the only vegan gimbap in Seoul)

Being curious about a typical Korean meal called "gimbap" I wanted to give it a try. However, all regular restaurants add meat to gimbap. Luckily, there's a place that offers vegan gimbap: Maru JaYeonSik Kimbap.

The owner proudly explains she makes it from scratch, making sure there's no accidental animal product in any part of it (as is the risk when ordering vegetable gimbap from a regular restaurant).

I found the restaurant rather hard to find, because the "Naver" app (the default Korean map app) dropped me off in a parallel alley. Maru JaYeonSik Kimbap is located at ground level in a narrow alley under the Maru Art Center (several floors of art galleries). Just look for the transparent plastic sheets around the outdoor seating and you'll find it.

So... how was the vegan gimbap? Fine. I can't compare it to regular gimbap, but it is intresting to taste Korea's take on sushi.

Updated from previous review on 2024-12-15

Pros: simple food at a simple price

Shayk__

Points +146

Vegan
13 Dec 2024

Vegan small restaurant

I had a parilla noodles soup its big meal, they also have kimbap and other food.
The stuff is really nice and have a good english
Recommend if you in the area

Pros: Stuff, Quality

Cons: 20 min to make it, Not many tables

sabra-ex

Points +119

Vegetarian
11 Dec 2024

Mom daughter joint

Great place hidden next to a shopping area … best part is they serve without onion and garlic

Pros: Fried tofu kimbab, Tteack-bokki, Ramen

kudaignola

Points +439

Vegan
03 Dec 2024

Humble and delicious!

Lovely two ladies will cook and serve to you what you'd like even if it's not in the menu. Absolutely delicious. I had the rice cake soup which was recommended here and it was great.
Simple sitting outisde.

Updated from previous review on 2024-12-03

Pros: English spoken, Affordable

Kathrynmike

Points +60

Vegan
29 Nov 2024

Love this place

Great casual location to eat in or take out. First visited late 2019 and I was happy to see the quality is still high. My favourite is the fried tofu kimbab

lady3jane

Points +313

Vegan
26 Nov 2024

The ramen and the California roll were winners

Good meal. Note this is not a restaurant, more of a food stall, two tables out front. Limited menu. My favorites were the ramen and the California roll. The fried tofu roll was fine, but not very flavorful. Nice women who run it.

Trambau

Points +2929

Vegetarian
21 Nov 2024

Been here sevaral times

Always great cheap vegan food stall
We also had kimbabs to-go, so rich and full!
Their other food like fried dumplings etc. Are great too

Updated from previous review on 2024-11-21

joshyoatcakes

Points +54

Vegan
16 Nov 2024

Lots of choices!

Great vegan food! Nice to experience some vegan authentic Korean food.

jadeeeeechen

Points +196

Vegan
05 Nov 2024

Simply great food

Came twice and Love their buckwheat noodles and deep fried dumplings

Pros: Buckwheat noodles , Deep fried dumplings

Cons: Nice warm seats for autumn, Tastes great

NWatlington

Points +715

Vegan
27 Oct 2024

Better than I expected

I had the fried tofu gimbap and the dumplings and both were very good. Great place to grab lunch (or a late breakfast) when you’re on the go near Insadong.

50%Dakini

Points +830

Vegan
20 Oct 2024

Solid no nonsense dining

If you're looking for quick and easy vegan with a street food vibe, this is perfect. Not fancy but good! Recommend the gimbap, the tteokbokki is extremely spicy

Updated from previous review on 2024-10-20

Hele2302

Points +17

Vegetarian
20 Oct 2024

love it!

I ordered the rice cake with dumplings and it was really good! I definitely want to go again and try the other options.

Pros: traditional korean food made vegan

hyejinkmy

Points +189

Vegan
12 Oct 2024

Vegan fried tofu kimpap

Delicious vegan fried tofu kimpap with sesame seeds. Very nice soup came along with it. Friendly english speaking staff and nice casual street food atmosphere.

Pros: Kimpap, Service , Atmosphere

Meiga

Points +51

Vegetarian
09 Oct 2024

Surprisingly good

It's not a restaurant, but more a fast food place, with a few tables outside. But the food is good, especially the kimbap and bibimbap. Sadly, the tteokbokki lacks flavour and ingredients...

Updated from previous review on 2024-10-09

noragryffin

Points +52

Vegan
29 Sep 2024

Great!

Good korean food, cool activist environment, nice staff. They even refunded our entire order after forgetting about one meal 🥰 Would recommend this place!

Updated from previous review on 2024-09-27

Pros: Environment, Price

Cons: The drinks were really small. Lol

Lompies

Points +38

Vegan
27 Sep 2024

Great find in Insadong

Lovely place where vegans can experience street-side Korean dining. A place that fully subscribes to vegan philosophy and serves well prepared dishes. Loved it.

gwild

Points +1596

Vegan
25 Sep 2024

Vegan Korean Dishes

The woman who served us was incredibly friendly, making our experience even better.
"We ordered the tteok-bokki for 7,000 Won, and the portion was generous. While we enjoyed it, we found it a bit spicier than we expected. On the other hand, the tofu gimbap was absolutely delicious, and at just 6,000 Won, it was a great value. Overall, a great meal with friendly service!

Pros: Authentic Korean Food, Affordable

mat_r28

Points +1942

Vegan
16 Sep 2024

Fantastic spot

Great food, great service, lovely staff! Really delicious rice cake soup and kimbap. The prices are really decent and the portion size also good. Highly recommend!

VanniPaul

Points +801

Vegan
06 Sep 2024

Good mandu and gimbap

Good place for a quick bite. I recommend their mandu and gimbap.

LewisEatsPlants

Points +1430

Vegan
31 Aug 2024

Perfect vegan Korean food

This is exactly what I needed. Korean street food served from a hole in the wall, no frills, but all taste.

I’ve so far been here twice, had the Tteokbokki with everything and the second time I had the Tofu Gimbap.

Both were delicious and filling, I think I’d recommend the Tteokbokki a bit more, but the Gimbap is good to share. I’ve got a bottomless pit for a stomach, but I can see a solo traveller having a hard time finishing the Gimbap by themselves.

Only thing I’d ask for would be more drink options. But it’s otherwise fantastic. I’ll probably be back again!

MiaCohen

Points +1793

Vegan
30 Aug 2024

Fab Korean food

This place was great, I really enjoyed getting the chance to try some authentic Korean dishes like tteokbokki for the first time! Everything was delish, i was very happy with this choice!

MagykFood

Points +41

Vegetarian
30 Aug 2024

Phenomenal

I loved the fried tofu kimbap! Excellent taste and really good to eat in the heat and humidity.

Staff spoke some English which was very useful.

A cute little place slightly tucked away from the main roads. Next to InsadongMARU Gallery - I used this address to find this place on KakaoMaps.

EvanWebbMyers

Points +50

Vegan
24 Aug 2024

Very good food

Delicious food, great option. I personally preferred Oh Se Gae Hyang, but both are very good. I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could.

Updated from previous review on 2024-08-24

pmrveggy

Points +15

Vegetarian
23 Aug 2024

Korean but all vegan food. Good taste. Friendly people

Friendly atmosphere. Good taste. All vegan Korean food.

claudia.vidalar

Points +41

Vegetarian
21 Aug 2024

Comida “callejera”

Deliciosa comida! Y muy buen servicio, volvería mil veces

Pros: Gimbap, Topoki

Cons: El precio es un poco elevado, pero se entiende

EmilyBoo

Points +76

Vegan
12 Aug 2024

A side street gem!

Street food meets tiny cafe cooking up the most excellent selection of Korean cuisine. We had the gimbap and tteokbokki which were *chefs kiss*

It’s tucked in the arts centre so took a minute to locate it but it was worth persevering!

Pros: Tasty food, Great service, Helpful staff




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