As of 2021, there were around 2.5 million people in South Korea following a vegan diet. The number of vegans has increased tenfold from 2008 to 2018, and has shown a growth of around 67 percent in the three years after that.
There are now about 500,000 strict vegans living in South Korea. Approximately 1.5 million people pursue similar plant-based diets, reports the Korea Vegetarian Union (KVU).
United Kingdom. Compared to all the countries in the world, the UK has the most vegans.
But being vegetarian in South Korea is actually doable, so don't worry! A bit of a disclaimer: before I came to teach English in Korea, I would never eat anything that had been cooked in the same oven as meat or had touched meat, and would never eat something by just picking the meat out of it.
Vegan K-pop and K-drama stars: 4 Korean celebrities who follow a plant-based diet (well, mostly) – Lee Hyori, Im Soo-jung, Claudia Kim and Lee Ha-nui.
South Korea – a Vegan's Nightmare? South Korea is arguably one of the most difficult countries in the world to sustain yourself in as a vegan. There's no doubt the country has a fondness for meat and seafood, with anchovy broth being a prominent ingredient in many of the national dishes.
Based on early data from the National Nutrition Survey and other studies we estimate that about 2% of Australians are vegan. This is approximately 500,000 people.
At first, we were worried about the seafood diet and the popular Korean BBQ – but luckily veganism is catching on in Korea, especially in the cities! The traditional Korean diet actually started off very plant-based but as the country developed, meat and more seafood were added to a lot of dishes.
The trouble comes in with the flavoring components. While the basic ingredients of kimchi, like cabbage, radish, and scallions, are vegetarian-friendly, often fish sauce or shrimp paste are added to the mixture to up the umami and saltiness of the final product.
Australia is home to as many as 2.5 million vegans and vegetarians. 6% of the population is vegan. In the last decade, those following plant-based diets have increased by about 50% The east of Australia has the most number of vegans.
India. Three of India's major religions — Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism — teach the practice of ahimsa, or non-violence towards all beings. Because of this religious tradition, India has the highest percentage of vegetarians out of all the countries in the world.
Here's Why Israel Is the Vegan Capital of the World.
Seoul is a carnivore's dream destination but, while fish markets and Korean BBQ fill every street in the city, there are a number of vegetarian (and even vegan) options for hungry travellers. I scoured Seoul to find the most scrumptious vegetarian food spots and have compiled them all into this extensive guide!
Generally, dairy consumption is much lower in Asians, especially in Koreans because dairy foods are not a part of the traditional Korean diet and 75 % of Koreans have lactose intolerance ( 5 , Reference Scrimshaw and Murray 11 ). Recommendation for dairy food intake is one serving per day for Korean adults ( 12 ).
Korean cuisine is largely based on rice, vegetables, seafood and (at least in South Korea) meats. Dairy is largely absent from the traditional Korean diet. Traditional Korean meals are named for the number of side dishes (반찬; 飯饌; banchan) that accompany steam-cooked short-grain rice.
1) Im Soo-jung
Im Soo-jung, a Korean actress known for her work in several movies and dramas, is a vegan, having made the decision to become one after discovering her allergy to animal protein. She might be one of the first popular Korean celebrities to adopt a vegan diet.
Tofu was also an important food early on in Korea. From the 15th century, dubu – Korean for tofu – has been widely used in Korea.
Globally, the meat alternative market jumped to $18.7 billion dollars last year from $13.73 billion in 2013. Dongwon F&B is cooperating since February with Beyond Meat to sell the products in Korea. Around 10,000 patties have been sold, according to a spokesperson for the company.
General: Animal welfare ranks first among the main reasons why Australians choose to follow a vegan or vegetarian diet (at 35%). Health comes in second (27%) and the environment in third (21%). Religious, financial and other reasons combine to 16 per cent.
The Sunshine Coast is one of the most vegetarian-friendly cities in the world. It has some of the best vegetarian restaurants in the world and is also home to Australia's first vegan grocery store. Vegetarianism is rising, and the Sunshine Coast is one of the best places to be a vegetarian or vegan.
The monastic community in Chinese Buddhism, Vietnamese Buddhism and most of Korean Buddhism strictly adhere to vegetarianism. Theravada Buddhist monks and nuns consume food by gathering alms themselves, and generally must eat whatever foods are offered to them, including meat.
China's vegan and plant-based protein industry is growing fast, and this lifestyle is becoming increasingly popular around the country. Veganism statistics China shows the trend being adopted at a rapid rate: 5% of China's population are vegans.
1. Bali, Indonesia. Bali has long been an ultimate destination for vegetarians and vegans and in 2023, it's still up there with one of the best veggie destinations on the planet. With tantalizing tempeh satay and jackfruit rendang to classic Balinese dishes such as nasi campur and gado gado, you won't be left hungry.