Source: https://verify-veg.com/blog/is-bulgogi-vegetarian/
Language: en

# Is Bulgogi Vegetarian? (It's Beef: Here's the Veg Swap)

"Bulgogi" means "fire meat," and the name tells you the answer before you ask. The marinade is
plant-based, but the meat is the dish. Here is how to order the plant-based version.

> **Key Takeaways**
> - Bulgogi is not vegetarian: it is Korean marinated beef.
> - The marinade (soy, garlic, ginger, pear, sesame) is usually vegan.
> - Mushroom or tofu bulgogi uses the same marinade without the beef.
> - Check the marinade for fish sauce or honey to keep the plant version vegan.

**TL;DR: Bulgogi is not vegetarian: it's Korean marinated beef.** The marinade (soy, garlic,
ginger, pear, sesame) is usually vegan; the beef is the problem. A mushroom or tofu "bulgogi" is
the plant-based swap.

## What bulgogi is

Bulgogi means "fire meat": thin slices of **beef** marinated in a sweet-savory mix of soy sauce,
garlic, ginger, sesame oil, sugar and often grated pear. It's grilled or pan-fried.

The marinade is typically vegan (soy + aromatics + fruit), so the entire non-veg part is the beef
itself.

## The vegetarian version

Restaurants and home cooks often make:

- **Mushroom bulgogi**: king oyster or shiitake in the same marinade.
- **Tofu bulgogi**: tofu steaks in the marinade.

These are vegetarian/vegan as long as no fish sauce or honey is added (a few marinades include
one of those, so it's worth a quick ask).

## The bottom line

- **Vegetarian?** No for the classic: order mushroom or tofu bulgogi.
- **Vegan?** Same, and confirm no fish sauce or honey in the marinade.

See our [Bulgogi dish guide](/food/south-korea/bulgogi/) 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](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verifyveg-vegan-scanner/id6758276834) - 
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.*