Monk's Butcher (Itaewon, Seoul), a vegan restaurant that captures both atmosphere and taste.

I'm not vegan, but sometimes I'm attracted to vegan food. It's not because of health, this is because, without meat, you can enjoy food that has a lighter and savory taste. I heard that there is Korea's first vegan restaurant in Itaewon, and I went there right away.

Location

The sign is small and hard to see. Take a good look around.

Monk's Butcher is located on the second floor, so the signboard is hard to see from the first floor. We also looked around carefully, but we passed by and came back. I think it would be better to remember the gold signboard in the picture before your visit.

Space

An antique interior

As I stepped inside, I was immediately greeted by a charming, old-fashioned interior. It reminded me of a comment I’d often heard from my vegan friends: “It’s rare to find vegan restaurants with great ambiance.”

 Menu

I’ve often heard that a good way to judge a vegan restaurant is by trying their hamburgers. However, at Monk's Butcher, the menu was so diverse and enticing that I decided to skip the hamburger this time. From creative vegan dishes to a wide selection of vegan drinks, there was plenty to choose from. What stood out the most were their signature dishes—unique creations you can only find at Monk's Butcher.

Herb Crust Eggplant  16,000 won

The first dish to arrive was the Herb Eggplant Dish. As a huge fan of eggplant, this was one of the dishes I was most excited to try and it did not disappoint. In fact, I’d have regretted it forever if I hadn’t ordered it. The roasted eggplant paired with the aromatic almond sauce was simply divine. I always believed eggplant tasted best when fried, but this dish completely changed my mind.

Homemade Gnocchi with Vegan Beef Crumbles  28,000 won

The gnocchi, which I had been just as excited to try as the eggplant dish, did not disappoint. The chewy gnocchi, coated in a sweet pumpkin sauce, offered a delightful combination of soft and savory flavors. It was like enjoying tender gnocchi in a comforting bowl of sweet pumpkin soup. The overall softness of the dish made it feel like a warm hug for both my palate and my heart.

Water parsley cream pasta  27,000 won

I’m not a big fan of water parsley, but since I love vegan cream sauce, I decided to give this dish a try. Thankfully, the water parsley was served separately, allowing me to enjoy the pasta without worry. One of the main reasons I seek out vegan cuisine is my love for vegan cream sauces, and Monk's Butcher certainly met my expectations. The sauce was light, not overly greasy, and had a wonderfully satisfying soy milk flavor.

Coconut curry  26,000 won

This dish didn’t feel particularly special. The chewy roti that accompanied it was delicious, but the coconut curry tasted similar to what you’d find at most Thai restaurants. While it was enjoyable, there didn’t seem to be a compelling reason to order this at Monk's Butcher specifically.

Aperitif & Sangria & Side Potatoes

The sweet aperitif served before the meal, the vegan sangria, and the vegan French fries were all quite satisfying. However, the overall meal was greasier than I had anticipated, leaving me feeling a bit heavy afterward. This experience reminded me that vegan food isn’t always synonymous with healthy eating.

Even if you’re not vegan, Monk's Butcher is a great restaurant worth visiting for its ambiance and delicious flavors. For vegans, it feels like a hidden gem. Given its popularity, I’d recommend making a reservation before your visit. I’ll definitely return when I’m craving the light, unique flavors of a vegan feast.

Address : 2228-1 Itaewon-ro, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul OPEN GOOGLE MAP

Phone : +82-2-790-1108

Operation Hours : Monday-Sunday : 11:00 - 22:30 (Break time 15:00 17:00, Last order 21:00)

Instagram : Check out more photos

Source : https://brunch.co.kr/@teabagbox/93

Writer : Park seyoung

Special thanks to Park seyoung

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