Review: Soban Vegan Restaurant in Busan (Favorite in Busan + Prices, Tips)
Soban Vegan Restaurant in Busan
Address: 293-10 Dongdaesin 2(i)-dong, Seo-gu, Busan, South Korea
Name in Korean: 소반 비건식당
If you’re looking for homecooked vegan Korean food in Busan, you have to try Soban Vegan. After seeing so many nice reviews online on Google Maps or Happy Cow, I knew I had to add it to my list of vegan restaurants in Busan to try.
The restaurant is run by one ajumma, a super sweet lady who cooks all of the meals. She also speaks English, and asked if I was a vegan.
If you’re new to South Korea, read my South Korea travel guide and top places to visit in Busan for free.
Heading to Seoul or Jeju?
- Essential Vegan Food in Korea Travel Guide (updated 2024).
- 17 vegan restaurants and cafes in Seoul
- 8 Vegan Restaurants in Jeju Island
Busan Trip Essentials:
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Soban Vegan Restaurant Hours
The restaurant is open from 11:30am to 8pm, and is closed on Sundays and Wednesdays.
Try not to go during peak lunch hours as the restaurant is small.
Soban Vegan Menu and Prices
What I Ate at Soban Vegan
All of the dishes I ordered each time I visited were really tasty and filling vegan meals. I’m a creature of habit haha so I did get similar vegan dishes each time.
Soybean paste tofu jjigae (stew) + six side dishes and a bowl of purple Korean rice for $9 USD.
My rating: 8/10 If you don’t like the taste of soy beans, they also have the spicy soft tofu jjigae.
You can ask for more of the side dishes if you’d like.
One time I also tried their Soup of the Day which was only 8,000 won, or about $6 USD. This also came with six side dishes and rice.
Each time I ordered a small batch of soy chik’n for 10,000 won, or $7-8 USD. These were fresh and crispy, and the dipping sauce that goes with it was perfect. My rating: 9/10.
At the end, she gives you a white soup to finish off the meal. I was so satisfyingly full after eating here.
Is There Seating at Soban Vegan?
The restaurant itself is quite small with only 4 tables and four chairs each.
The first time I went was around 2pm (intentionally). I was the only one there, but the meals didn’t take too long to prepare.
The second time I went was around 11:30am and all tables were full and I waited outside for maybe 15 minutes until someone was done.
How to Get to Soban Vegan
Soban Vegan isn’t located near any major tourist attractions, but the area is really lovely with mostly elderly locals.
The closest tourist site is the Gamcheon Culture Village, so I ate here right before exploring there for a few hours. Once you turn into the street, you’ll see their green restaurant sign with “Vegan restaurant” on it.
By Train
The closest train station to Soban Vegan Restaurant is Dongdaesin Station, which is a 5-minute walk away from exit 5. Soban Vegan is located on a small charming street.
By Bus
Depending on where you’re coming from, there are plenty of buses that stop near Soban Vegan and are just a few minutes walk away. Use Google Maps or Kakao Maps to find buses closer to you. Note that while Google Maps provides bus + walking routes for Busan, it does not give just walking routes.
By Taxi
You can also take a taxi. Uber works in Busan if you don’t have the Kakao Taxi app, or don’t want to hail a taxi. Don’t rely on Uber however, as it’s not always widely-available in Busan.
Takeaway Items for Sale
Soban Vegan also has a shelf of local and international snacks and goods you can buy, as well as a freezer of local vegan meats and Korean products for sale. Plus, they have a refrigerator with some of the banchan (sides) for takeaway too!
How to Pay at Soban Vegan
Soban Vegan does accept credit cards, or you can pay with cash. I used a Bank of America visa credit card and didn’t have any issues. Still, always bring back up won just in case.
Final Thoughts on Soban Vegan
The home cooked meals at Soban Vegan is something I really miss after leaving South Korea. When I visit Busan again, I always plan to come back here for some good homecooked, vegan food in Busan.
Add a memorable experience to your Busan trip with a group or private tour:
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