Rooted, Seoul
Using fresh seasonal produce and traditional Korean ingredients in unique ways, Chef Ye is cooking up some distinct signature dishes not found anywhere else in Seoul
January 2024
With her welcoming smile and touches of green, Chef Ye stands at the exterior of Rooted in Songpa-gu, Seoul.
A lot of work goes into running a vegan cafe single-handedly. Just ask Chef Ye over at Rooted in Seoul’s who not only owns and manages the business, but makes everything for the menu by hand – from the cheese and focaccia bread, to the ice cream and lemonade, Ye has her touch on everything.
The menu at Rooted is ambitious and varied (especially considering the fact Ye does this all alone!). In the summer you can enjoy unique vegan dishes that other places in Seoul do not even dream about, such as the watermelon tuna salad and the tofu salmon green curry bowl. In the colder months, there are hearty dishes including the sautéed Jeju carrots and house-made veggie balls in beurre blanc sauce, and the pesto risotto with vegan mushroom scallops. The classic grilled cheese sandwich also features alongside the new baba ghanoush topped with tofu cream, seasoned chickpeas and roasted veggies – a perfect combination any time of the year!
Ye is also working hard to use seasonal vegetables and reduce the use of imported goods at Rooted, and she is using uniquely Korean ingredients in her dishes to create new flavour combinations you will likely have never come across. The lemony gochujang pasta which incorporates Korea’s famous chilly paste is a delicious example of this, as is the nurungee hummus platter which has the crispy rice chips along with roasted vegetables, fresh herbs and orange segments.
If all that flavour has got you in the mood for dessert, Ye will always have something for you that she just happened to whip up that morning. Perhaps warm banana bread with persimmon compote and ice cream, a batch of chocolate and walnut cookies, a peach crumble parfait or a creamy banana pudding with custard, cream and shortbread – dessert is not to be missed!! Chef Ye has been around the world and worked in some of the best vegan restaurants out there, and with Rooted she has created a beautiful environment where she can be herself and put her talented touch to everything she creates – all by herself, no less!
Rooted is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11:00–20:00. Instagram @rootedseoul
Rooted, Seoul
Using fresh seasonal produce and traditional Korean ingredients in unique ways, Chef Ye is cooking up some distinct signature dishes not found anywhere else in Seoul
January 2024
With her welcoming smile and touches of green, Chef Ye stands at the exterior of Rooted in Songpa-gu, Seoul.
A lot of work goes into running a vegan cafe single-handedly. Just ask Chef Ye over at Rooted in Seoul’s who not only owns and manages the business, but makes everything for the menu by hand – from the cheese and focaccia bread, to the ice cream and lemonade, Ye has her touch on everything.
The menu at Rooted is ambitious and varied (especially considering the fact Ye does this all alone!). In the summer you can enjoy unique vegan dishes that other places in Seoul do not even dream about, such as the watermelon tuna salad and the tofu salmon green curry bowl. In the colder months, there are hearty dishes including the sautéed Jeju carrots and house-made veggie balls in beurre blanc sauce, and the pesto risotto with vegan mushroom scallops. The classic grilled cheese sandwich also features alongside the new baba ghanoush topped with tofu cream, seasoned chickpeas and roasted veggies – a perfect combination any time of the year!
Ye is also working hard to use seasonal vegetables and reduce the use of imported goods at Rooted, and she is using uniquely Korean ingredients in her dishes to create new flavour combinations you will likely have never come across. The lemony gochujang pasta which incorporates Korea’s famous chilly paste is a delicious example of this, as is the nurungee hummus platter which has the crispy rice chips along with roasted vegetables, fresh herbs and orange segments.
If all that flavour has got you in the mood for dessert, Ye will always have something for you that she just happened to whip up that morning. Perhaps warm banana bread with persimmon compote and ice cream, a batch of chocolate and walnut cookies, a peach crumble parfait or a creamy banana pudding with custard, cream and shortbread – dessert is not to be missed!! Chef Ye has been around the world and worked in some of the best vegan restaurants out there, and with Rooted she has created a beautiful environment where she can be herself and put her talented touch to everything she creates – all by herself, no less!
Rooted is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11:00–20:00. Instagram @rootedseoul