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.
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35-4, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea, 03149
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 11 Mar 2025 by geometric-noise
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Added by GraceHong on 10 Dec 2018
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354 Reviews
First Review by Rosaespanola
food4ricky
Points +1641
Recommended! - Edit
Tucked away in a quiet alleyway, I stumbled upon this gem (and later looked it up on HappyCow).
Read moreFood is freshly prepared. Tasty and satisfying!
The staff came across very joyfully; happy to serve some good, cruelty free food.
Guest
hwing
Points +1739
Delicious vegan gimbap and speedy service - Edit
We arrived about 10 minutes before closing (7:30pm) but the mother-daughter duo were kind to serve us. Speedy service. They were very welcoming and friendly. There’s conveniently an English version of the menu.
Read moreThere’s very limited seatings (2 small tables indoors and 2 slightly larger tables with bench eating in a covered outdoors area. The benches were heated and the tables have additional heaters available for use. Even though we were the last ones to arrive and the owners were likely waiting on us to finish our meal before closing, they didn’t rush us at all.
Ordered three items:
- Fried dumplings (5 pieces): absolutely delicious; our favorite dish of this meal
- Fried Tofu Gimbap (10 pieces): really enjoyed this authentic vegan Korean dish
- Ramen: tasty with a bit of a kick to it; wish there were more noodles in proportion to the broth
We came hungry but the combination of two main dishes and a side dish left us feeling very full, and all for a very affordable price!
Side note: apparently “kimbap” is the romanized pronunciation of “gimbap” but they are ultimately the same.
Updated from previous review on 2025-04-04
Guest
MinervaG
Points +1599
Good food - Edit
I went for breakfast/lunch and got the "ham" and fried gambap as well as the udong. Everything was delicious and served fast.
Read morePros: All vegan
Guest
Larosanta
Points +60
Good place to snack - Edit
The food was really good, would definitely recommend it.
Read moreGuest
mdodgson
Points +16
Tasty vegan Korean food, friendly and good value - Edit
Eaten there 3 times over a week- as it is close to our hotel- enjoyed every meal
Read morePros: Value, Soups and salads , Speed of service
Cons: Small - not space for many, Can be cold if temperatures near 0
Guest
trix
Points +196
What a jem! - Edit
Wonderful discovery of this small vegan place: food was a vegan version of typical Korean dishes, very tasty and fresh, sizeable portions prepared by its very friendly owners. We‘ll be back!
Read moreGuest
soulgrinder
Points +432
Authentic Korean food - Edit
Many Korean dishes to chose from on the menu. Big portions and incredibly affordable prices!
Read moreIf it is a cold day, try the hot lemon tea, it is lovely!
To find the restaurant you need to walk further into the area outside/beneath the shopping mall. Or, you can access it from the convenience store as its located behind/in front of that.
There is limited seating mostly outside or inside a walkway/corridor area. They have portable heaters if you are cold.
Pros: Value for money, Authentic Korean food
Cons: Limited seating
Guest
FredThompson
Points +171
Cheap and delicious - Edit
The staff spoke great English and the food was really tasty and so cheap you can get multiple dishes. The seating is outdoors but they have a section in a heated tent thing so it's no problem in winter.
Read moreGuest
gingerplummy
Points +2043
Lovely hidden gem - Edit
The chef is very humble and was curious about what I think of the soup and how she could improve! I always want to support small vegan venders like this kind.i had Fried Tofu Gimbap, noodle veg soup with perilla seed. There is always room for improvement though, but I think for the generous size and quality at that price, no complaints! 😋 The Fried Tofu Gimbap is not to be missed, must try! Will recommend!
Read moreGuest
khanyisilevdh
Points +142
amazing kimbap - Edit
I wanted to have some vegan kimbap and it was so delicious! price for the quantity of the food was great the staff were so kind and made sure I was catered for and warm as it was a cold day. i took some kimbap to go to eat at home love it😄
Read moreGuest
Levicoolguy101
Points +465
Korean food in Seoul?! 7/10 - Edit
Would recommend
Read moreThis place has good vibes, the food isn't amazing but the workers are very nice and friendly, very cheap and decent food the ramen was probs my fave though 💀.
Very small place but gives it an almost cozy feel and it makes you feel like it's just a restaurant in Korea that just happens to be vegan giving you an experience of the culture.
Guest
tea.with.taya
Points +39
Directions - Edit
Love the fried tofu gimbap!
Read morePro tip for finding this place: walk a few feet into the alley - about 20 seconds further than where Google Maps and Naver is showing the location.
Guest
ailove
Points +101
Vegan Korean foods - Edit
韓国料理が食べたいと思っても、ダシダ（牛骨スープの素）が入っていることが多いので躊躇しますが、ビーガンの韓国料理屋さんならどれをとっても安心。しかもかなり美味しくて、迷いながらでしたが行ってよかった。また必ず行きます。お店の方は英語で対応してくれました。本当においしかった。オススメでキンパとトッポキを食べましたがビビンバや餃子など全メニューためしてみたいです。 #Veganuary
Read morePros: 豆腐のキンパ, トッポキ
Guest
ElenaIoannou
Points +291
Great food, sweet owners! - Edit
I came to this restaurant 3 times within one week! It was open during the Lunar New Year, and I really liked the tteokbokki and dumplings! The owner speaks great English and is very sweet!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-01-30
Pros: Affordable
Guest
pumokel
Points +3097
Not worth it if there’s a long line - Edit
First of all, there is only outside seating so when it’s cold outside even with the portable heaters, you’re gonna be cold. They were the only vegan place around open during the Lunar new year celebrations so I went there twice. First time there wasn’t anyone else there so the service was fast, the second time all tables (about 5) were busy so I waited about an hour before I got my food (and tea). The food is good but I wouldn’t wait for it so long again. Also saw that a dish (not mine, I think it was a ramen) was cooked from an instant packaging 🫠
Read moreGuest
KamepohS
Points +95
Stunning 😍 - Edit
Honestly, this place is a gem!
Read moreThe owner is lovely and showed us great hospitality. It is just off the main strip in Insadong & offers a wide array of vegan food, including Kimbap (fresh / fried) , Soups (the perilla soup is amazing!), Tteokbokki and more. It can be easy to miss, so when you see the street opening just walk down and the shop will be on the right, in winter there is a plastic awning and heaters.
The owner accepts card and cash, you simply pay before you eat. I would highly recommend people coming to check out this place, it is a small venue, so get in early if you want a seat (some menu items are takeaway).
Pros: The food is hearty & delicious, The owner is delightful & caring, The venue is central & pretty easy to find
Guest
YogiBear52
Points +14
Excellent Vegan restaurant - Edit
We loves it so much. We are the Ramen and the Ttock bokki
Read moreGuest
Danielsass
Points +156
Sweetest Owner Couple, great dumplings - Edit
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.
Read moreAmazing 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
Guest
iokan
Points +1946
The best vegan gimbap in Seoul (also: the only vegan gimbap in Seoul) - Edit
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.
Read moreThe 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
KamepohS
Your insights were helpful for navigating to the restaurant.
Read moreJust as an aside, I don't think Korean people would appreciate the comparison of Kimbap.
Guest
Shayk__
Points +361
Vegan small restaurant - Edit
I had a parilla noodles soup its big meal, they also have kimbap and other food.
Read moreThe 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
Guest
sabra-ex
Points +119
Mom daughter joint - Edit
Great place hidden next to a shopping area … best part is they serve without onion and garlic
Read morePros: Fried tofu kimbab, Tteack-bokki, Ramen
Guest
kudaignola
Points +508
Humble and delicious! - Edit
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.
Read moreSimple sitting outisde.
Updated from previous review on 2024-12-03
Pros: English spoken, Affordable
Guest
Kathrynmike
Points +60
Love this place - Edit
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
Read moreGuest
lady3jane
Points +313
The ramen and the California roll were winners - Edit
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.
Read moreGuest
Trambau
Points +3023
Been here sevaral times - Edit
Always great cheap vegan food stall
Read moreWe 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
Guest
joshyoatcakes
Points +54
Lots of choices! - Edit
Great vegan food! Nice to experience some vegan authentic Korean food.
Read moreGuest
jadeeeeechen
Points +255
Simply great food - Edit
Came twice and Love their buckwheat noodles and deep fried dumplings
Read morePros: Buckwheat noodles , Deep fried dumplings
Cons: Nice warm seats for autumn, Tastes great
Guest
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