Vegan food is being met by positive responses from younger South Koreans. (image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Nov. 25 (Korea Bizwire) – Vegan food, previously offered by a select few restaurants in South Korea, is becoming increasingly common in the country.
The vegetarian population in South Korea has reached more than 1.5 million, encouraging distributors to come up with vegan products targeting the newly rising consumer population.
Vegan food is rapidly spreading particularly throughout convenience stores in the country.
South Korean convenience store chain CU introduced vegetarian burgers, kimbap, and lunchboxes early this month, while 7-Eleven also began selling kimbap and burgers made from a bean-based meat alternative.
Several ‘jjimjilbangs,’ or public bathhouses unique to South Korea, have begun to sell vegetable noodles that exclude meat substances.
Vegan food is being met by positive responses from younger South Koreans. On Instagram, more than 200 photos of vegan food purchased at convenience stores have been posted under the hashtag ‘myveganismdiary’.
“It is rather expensive, but I am still glad that I can always buy vegan food at a nearby convenience store,” said one college student.
“In the past, minorities were reluctant to freely express their preferences. Now, free expression of their own identity is being seen as a good thing,” said Prof. Koo Jeong-woo from Sungkyunkwan University.
“Businesses are increasingly feeling the pressure of expanding their options for customers.”
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
