Is Bibimbap Vegetarian? (Egg, Beef & Gochujang)

Bibimbap is a Korean rice bowl of vegetables and gochujang, which makes it look vegan. The egg and the beef on top are the giveaway. Here is what makes it non-vegetarian, and how to order the plant-based version.

Key Takeaways

• Bibimbap is usually not vegetarian: it is topped with a fried egg and sliced beef.
• The vegetables, rice and gochujang are plant-based; the egg and beef are not.
• “Yachae bibimbap” (vegetable bibimbap) is vegetarian-friendly, but may still have the egg.
• For vegan, order no beef and no egg, and confirm the gochujang is fish-free.

TL;DR: Bibimbap is usually not vegetarian: it’s typically topped with a fried egg and sliced beef (bulgogi). A vegetable bibimbap (“yachae bibimbap”) is vegetarian-friendly, but often still comes with the egg.

What’s in the bowl

Bibimbap is rice topped with seasoned vegetables (spinach, carrot, bean sprouts, mushrooms), gochujang (chili paste) and usually:

• A fried egg (not vegan)
• Sliced marinated beef (not vegetarian)

The vegetables, rice and gochujang are otherwise plant-based: gochujang is fermented chili + rice + soy, and most brands are vegan (a few add fish sauce, so check the label).

How to order it vegetarian or vegan

• Vegetarian: ask for no beef (“without meat”).
• Vegan: ask for no beef and no egg: and confirm the gochujang is fish-free.

“Yachae bibimbap” (vegetable bibimbap) is the veg-friendly version, but it may still include the egg, so say “no egg” if you’re vegan.

The bottom line

• Vegetarian? Order vegetable bibimbap, no beef.
• Vegan? Same, plus no egg.

See our Bibimbap dish guide for the full breakdown.

Check before you eat. The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more). Download on the App Store - Android is coming soon.

Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.

Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Recipes and preparations vary by restaurant, region and cook, so always confirm with the restaurant, brand or vendor.