If you are looking for a vegetarian restaurant in Seoul that serves more than salads, Légume (레귬) is the one to know. This 100% plant-based tasting-menu restaurant near Sinsa Station holds One MICHELIN Star in the MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2026, and MICHELIN calls it the first vegan restaurant in Asia to earn a star. I went for lunch in April 2026. It was my first time at a vegan restaurant of any kind.
This review is adapted from a visit by Revitguide reviewer 호미식 (Homisik), who rated it 4 out of 5. Read the original Korean review on Revitguide.
Légume at a Glance
| Name | Légume (레귬) |
| Address | 2F, Sinsa Square, 652 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울 강남구 강남대로 652 신사스퀘어 2층) |
| Station | Sinsa Station (Line 3 and Sinbundang Line), a short walk |
| Chef | Sung Si-woo (성시우), former head chef at Soigné |
| Cuisine | 100% plant-based (vegan) contemporary tasting menu |
| MICHELIN | One Star, MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2025 and 2026 |
| Hours | Tuesday to Saturday, lunch from 12:00 and dinner from 18:00; closed Sunday and Monday |
| Price | Lunch course ₩120,000 on the printed menu in April 2026 (I paid about ₩140,000 in total); dinner costs more |
| Booking | Reservations only, through CatchTable or by phone (+82 507-1365-1567) |
| Map | Open in Naver Map |
Why Légume Matters as a Vegetarian Restaurant in Seoul
Korean food looks vegetable-heavy, but many dishes are not vegetarian. Broths are often made with anchovy or beef, and most kimchi includes salted seafood. That is why a fully plant-based vegetarian restaurant in Seoul stands out so much. At Légume you do not need to ask about hidden fish sauce or meat stock, because the whole menu is vegan.
Chef Sung Si-woo opened Légume in spring 2023, after about ten years at Soigné, a two-star restaurant, where he became head chef. According to MICHELIN, people tried to talk him out of opening a vegan restaurant in a meat-loving city. Interestingly, he is not vegan himself. Instead, his interest came partly from his mother’s allergy to meat. The restaurant earned its first star in the 2025 guide and kept it in 2026. MICHELIN reported in 2025 that Légume was one of only nine vegan restaurants in the world with a star.
MICHELIN’s inspectors describe the cooking as contemporary cuisine that highlights Korean vegetarian traditions. In other words, that means seasonal Korean produce, fermentation and French technique, rather than meat substitutes. The menu changes with the seasons.
My Lunch at This Vegetarian Restaurant in Seoul
Vegan restaurants were new to me. I never imagined that my first one would be Légume. To be honest, I also had a bias. I assumed a vegan restaurant would focus more on health, the environment and values than on flavor. The vegan dishes I ate at Légume broke that idea. Every dish was delicious.
The printed lunch menu that day listed eight steps: almond, asparagus, chickpea, vegetable soup, mushroom, meadowsweet, banana and tea, for ₩120,000. A four-glass pairing cost an extra ₩120,000 with wine or ₩110,000 with tea. In addition, there were two add-ons at ₩25,000 each, a seasonal vegetable cutlet (two pieces) and a truffle and hazelnut sorbet.
What I liked
How can anyone get this much flavor from vegetables alone? I kept asking myself that throughout the meal. After talking with my companions, I finally looked it up. Only nine restaurants in the world have earned a MICHELIN Star as vegan restaurants, and Légume is one of them. That surprised me.
First of all, I could taste how fresh the ingredients were. The mushroom dish served as the main was so satisfying that I did not miss a steak at all. Also, maybe because it was vegan food, it did not feel heavy on my stomach. Even so, I left pleasantly full.
What could be better
My one regret was the space. Légume has a truly unique identity as a vegan restaurant, and I wish I could feel that more strongly in the room itself. That would have made the experience even more memorable. The current room is certainly fine dining. However, you could describe it as a different restaurant and it would not feel odd. Légume’s own identity felt a little weak there.
It is the first, and so far the only, MICHELIN-starred vegan restaurant in Asia. So if the space leaned more into that symbolism, I think Légume’s presence would come through clearly in the room as well as on the plate.
Wrapping up
If I had come alone, I might not have enjoyed it this much. Thanks to my dining companion, 미식토끼 (Misik Tokki), I enjoyed Légume in a more fun and deeper way.
Tips for Visiting This Vegetarian Restaurant in Seoul
- Book ahead. Légume takes reservations only, so plan early. Lunch is also the cheaper way in.
- The menu is fully vegan, so there are no dairy or egg dishes to avoid. Still, tell the restaurant about any allergies, such as nuts, when you book.
- Budget for extras. The add-ons and pairings can raise the bill quickly, which is why I paid more than the menu price.
- Check the current price on CatchTable before you go. Prices at Seoul tasting-menu restaurants change often.
- The restaurant is on the second floor of Sinsa Square, right on Gangnam-daero, so it is easy to reach by subway.
Eating Vegetarian Elsewhere in Seoul
Outside Légume, however, finding a vegetarian restaurant in Seoul takes a little planning. These phrases help in ordinary Korean restaurants:
- “I am vegetarian”: 저는 채식주의자예요 (jeoneun chaesikjuuija-yeyo)
- “Please leave out the meat”: 고기 빼 주세요 (gogi ppae juseyo)
- “Is there meat or fish in this?”: 여기 고기나 생선 들어가요? (yeogi gogina saengseon deureogayo?)
Korean Buddhist temple food (사찰음식, sachal eumsik) is another good option. It uses no meat or fish, and it traditionally avoids five pungent plants, including garlic and green onion. Halal-friendly areas such as Itaewon also have more meat-free choices. See our Itaewon restaurants and halal food guide for that neighborhood.
Base Is Nice (베이스이즈나이스), Mapo: Rated 3.5
Revitguide reviewer 호미식 (Homisik) also visited this small plant-based restaurant and rated it 3.5 out of 5. It is run by one person, with a menu that changes monthly and only plant-based ingredients. The cooking focuses on drawing out each vegetable rather than showing off technique. The soup and smoothie were good, and the juice stayed with me after the meal. It felt less like a vegan meal than like visiting an exhibition built around one month’s produce, which explains why it is hard to book.
Where: Dohwa 2-gil 20, Mapo-gu. Open in Naver Map. Original review on Revitguide.
Verdict: Is This Vegetarian Restaurant in Seoul Worth It?
For me, yes. Above all, this vegetarian restaurant in Seoul changed how I think about vegan food. Every dish tasted good, the mushroom main stood up to a steak, and I left full without feeling heavy. The room did not express the restaurant’s identity as strongly as the food did, which is why I rated it 4 out of 5. If you want a vegetarian restaurant in Seoul that non-vegetarian friends will also enjoy, Légume is an easy choice.
Planning more special meals? See our guide to Michelin restaurants in Seoul, our review of Doori, a zero-waste Korean tasting menu, and Mitou, which holds a MICHELIN Green Star. For everyday Korean food, start with our best Korean restaurants in Seoul.
FAQ
Is Légume fully vegan?
Yes. MICHELIN describes Légume as pursuing a fully vegan approach, and the whole tasting menu is plant-based. There is no meat, fish, dairy or egg on the menu.
Does Légume have a Michelin star?
Yes. Légume holds One MICHELIN Star in the MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2026. It first earned the star in 2025, and MICHELIN calls it the first vegan restaurant in Asia to get one.
How much does Légume cost?
In April 2026 the printed lunch course was ₩120,000. Dinner costs more, and wine or tea pairings and add-ons are extra. Check CatchTable for the current price.
How do I book Légume?
Légume runs on reservations only. Book through CatchTable or call the restaurant at +82 507-1365-1567. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Is there another vegetarian restaurant in Seoul to try?
Yes. For example, Korean Buddhist temple food is meat-free, and many casual vegan cafes exist as well. In regular Korean restaurants, ask about anchovy broth and salted seafood in kimchi, since both are common.
We checked prices and hours in November 2026, and they can change. Check Naver Map before you go.