[CAFÉ]Vegan Is Hip, Hwaseong

Vegan Is Hip, Hwaseong

A short 50km south of Seoul, discover the city of Hwaseong, home to the Dongtan Lake and the unmissable baked goods on offer at Vegan Is Hip

February 2024


Exterior view of the delicious bakery Vegan Is Hip in Hwaseong, near Seoul.


If you’re looking for a break from Seoul life during the Lunar New Year holiday, a day trip to the smaller city of Hwaseong about 50km south could just be the answer. Around a 1.5-hour bus ride from Seoul, the area surrounding Dongtan Lake might be a sea of new apartment buildings, but the lake itself and the peaceful cafe Vegan Is Hip offers a slice of tranquillity in the city. 


Vegan Is Hip was once a small restaurant in Seoul serving vegan chicken, sandwiches and waffles, but since January 2023 it has been thriving as a high-quality bakery selling flakey pastries, rich cakes and lunch delicious options. On a quiet street just a stone’s throw from the lake, the cafe is a spacious and bright space where you can switch off from the demands of modern life. 


Operated by a talented young baker with the help of their family members, Vegan Is Hip provides all the delights of a classic Korean bakery – beautiful cream and fruit pastries, almond croissants, cheesy pizza – except vegans can enjoy everything on display! 


The food menu is regularly updated, but guests can expect fresh filled croissants and hot dishes such as potato and cashew soup (which goes perfectly with the salt butter and/or garlic bread!) and the packed tomato stew with tempeh and beans (double-up on tomato and try the focaccia pizza with this one!). 


If you’re making the journey to Vegan Is Hip, you won’t want to leave empty-handed. Be sure to take home a bagel, pan Swiss, or apple pie for breakfast! If you’re not able to make the journey to Hwaseong, stay tuned to the bakery’s Instagram as they occasionally participate in vegan events in Seoul where their produce is always quick to sell out! You can also order a selection of their popular breads for home delivery on Naver. 


Vegan Is Hip is open Thursday to Tuesday, 9:30–18:00. Instagram @vegan.is.hip