Adelaide’s Korean cuisine scene has been on the quieter side of things over the years, but thanks to the Internet, words like ‘tteok-bokki‘ and ‘bibimbap’ aren’t an unfamiliar sound or sight around the city. And although Korean dishes can be heavy on the me*t, there are a number of traditional and delicious meals sans the animal products, if you know where to go, that is. Check out our guide to eight of the best vegan-friendly Korean restaurants in Adelaide to be in the know.
1. Mandoo, Adelaide
As seen in our guide to the best vegan dumplings in Adelaide, Mandoo not only serve up big ol’ Korean-style dumplings (mandoo), but a hefty bibimbap bowl of rice, assorted Korean banchan (side dishes) and sweet tofu skin. The hole-in-the-wall eatery attracts diners from near and far – a line-up along Bank Street isn’t an uncommon sight.
Where: 3/26 Bank St, Adelaide
2. Plus 82 Pocha, Adelaide
Nestled within a Grenfell Street courtyard, Plus 82 Pocha is hidden in plain sight. The neon-lit restaurant keeps it casual cool – the soju is aflowin’ and the hot pots are abubblin’. Prepared the Seoul way, Plus 82 Pocha serve up: gimmari (deep-fried seaweed spring rolls with sweet potato noodle fiillng), mushroom jeongol (hot pot served with a variety of mushrooms, sweet potato noodles, tofu, rice cakes, dumplings and vegetables), as well as nine other vegan options – not to mention vegan Korean fried chick*n too!
Where: Shop 3/25 Grenfell St, Adelaide
3. Ban Ban, Various Locations
As mentioned in our guide to the best vegan fried chick*n in Adelaide, Ban Ban fry up some pretty convincing seitan chunks. The various outlets are big on aesthetics with their clean-cut, pastel dining rooms and dish up seven vegan-friendly flavour bombs. Think: Korean corn pancake; mandoo miso soup; and flamed edamame with sumac and chilli.
Where: Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Rundle Mall, and Elizabeth
4. Hilton Korean Takeaway, Hilton
Another hot spot listed in our guide to the best dumplings in Adelaide, Hilton Korean Takeaway plate up juicy lil’ treats in their pint-sized joint. Sweet and sour deep-fried mushrooms are a high priority, as well as the kimchi tofu stew, fried tofu bibimbap, tteok-bokki (spicy rice cakes with dumplings), and the japchae (sweet potato starch noodles with stir-fried vegetables).
Where: Shop 3A/160 Sir Donald Bradman Dr, Hilton
5. K-Pub, Adelaide
Debatably the best Korean restaurant in Adelaide when it comes to feeding hungry vegan mouths, K-Pub makes an appearance in four of our guides: best casual dinner spots, best fried chick*n, best dumplings, and best spots to try if you’re missing Thea’s Tea Shop. It’s safe to say they know what they’re doing. Get stuck into K-Pub’s: wok-fried be*f bulgogi, ramen, kimchi fried rice, stir-fried spicy squ*d, and budae jjigae (hot pot of h*m and me*ts, baked beans, noodles, kimchi and vegetables).
Where: 167 Gouger St, Adelaide
6. Jin’s Bibimbar, Cumberland Park
Jin’s Bibimbar is an unpretentious lunch and dinner spot located along trendy Goodwood Road, but Jin’s feels more like a quaint neighbourhood cafe. Along with the usual Korean cuisine offenders (dumplings, japchae, and specials like kimbap), the highlight of Jin’s is building your own bibimbap (mixed rice bowl). First, choose your base of either lettuce or white and brown rice, then the protein which is tofu in this case, then add up to five of the 15 vegetable toppings, and whack on your choice of sauce and Bob’s ya uncle. Garlic aioli and sesame oil for us please.
Where: 480 Goodwood Road, Cumberland Park
7. Busan Baby, Adelaide
Dubbing themselves as ‘fun and vibrant’, Busan Baby serve up modern Korean cuisine and soju cocktails from their city centre location. Cauliflower Korean fried chick*n is up for grabs if you’re not into vegan me*ts, as well as hot pot of mushroom and tofu with all the classic add-ons, crispy eggplant with ginger and peanuts, along with ram-don jjapaguri (tossed, dry ramen), and a few other flavoursome delights.
Where: 272 Morphett St, Adelaide
8. May Q, Adelaide
The small bar and bespoke dining precinct of Leigh Street in Adelaide’s city centre is home to many a culinary gem, as seen in our guide to the best vegan-friendly restaurants in Adelaide’s West End. Korean restaurant May Q is here to satisfy your late-night feasting needs. With a whopping 15 vegan items on their menu, you can find dishes with the likes of: sizzling dubu (tofu stir-fry); soondubu jjigae (spicy soft tofu stew), tteok-bokki (rice cakes with dumplings and deep-fried seaweed rolls), and dolsot bibimbap (sizzling rice bowl).
Where: 19 Leigh St, Adelaide
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