Gluten Free Seoul: The Complete Guide for Celiacs (2026)

If you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance, and you’re planning a trip to Seoul, South Korea, then you’re in the right place. Welcome to your complete guide to gluten free Seoul.

As a sensitive celiac, I didn’t think I’d be able to find safe food in Seoul, much less good food. Ohh, how wrong I was! It’s not only possible to visit Seoul as a celiac but there’s some genuinely amazing food here that will satisfy any gluten free foodie. (And yes, this includes gluten free Korean fried chicken!).

Saying that, planning a Seoul gluten free trip is NOT easy. It will take lots of research and planning. Luckily, I’ve done most of that for you.

NOTE | I have celiac disease and avoid cross contact. However, staff, practices, menus, and hours can all change. I encourage you to always do your own research and ask questions before you dine.

Gluten Free in Seoul: What You Need to Know

Before I get to the best gluten free restaurants in Seoul, I want to share some general advice about being gluten free in Korea.

My top 5 tips for gluten free travelers in Korea:

1. This gluten free Korean translation card is a must-have.
2. Build your Seoul itinerary around the gluten free restaurants below—options are extremely limited elsewhere.
3. Double check opening hours and days, and cross-reference Google Maps and Naver.
4. Book your accommodation near gluten free restaurants.
5. Pack your own gluten free gojuchang, soy sauce, and snacks.

You can also check out my (forthcoming) gluten free South Korea guide for more details on those tips!

The below list of gluten free restaurants in Seoul is LONG. To help you avoid overwhelm I’ve put a ☆ next to my top picks.

I’ve also shared my recommended places to stay and top 5 meals at the bottom of this article.

Gluten Free Translation Card for Korea

I highly recommend buying this gluten free Korean translation card before your trip to Seoul. I used it at every single place I ate, and I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without it.

Unlike other cards, this card is specific to Korean cuisine (including the all-important gojuchang, which nearly always contains wheat in Korea!). 

It’s also professionally translated twice, and one of the translators is even a celiac herself and the owner of a gluten free cafe in Seoul! 

Buy your GF Korean card here.

Gluten Free Seoul Map

I always make a map of gluten free restaurants and activities before I travel, and the same was true for Seoul! The major difference here is that Google Maps doesn’t work super well in South Korea. You can pull up public transport directions, but not walking or driving.

Even so, I found my gluten free Seoul map incredibly helpful. I just had to sometimes cross-reference it with Naver for directions. 

To make things easier for you, I’ve put in the work and added Naver links within this article AND my map.

Gluten Free Cooking Class in Seoul

I absolutely recommend pre-booking this cooking class before your trip to Seoul. It was an amazing experience because I got to safely eat gluten free versions of Korean dishes (which was difficult to find elsewhere!). These included:

• Bulgogi
• Gimbap
• Japchae (the only place I found this dish GF in South Korea!)
• Kimchi pancakes
• Bibimbap

The class was excellent for gluten free precautions. I had my own separate cooking space, gluten free soy sauce, gluten free gojuchang, you name it!

Book my recommended gluten free cooking class in Seoul.

11 Dedicated Gluten Free Seoul Restaurants and Bakeries 

There are a surprising number of fully gluten free restaurants and bakeries in Seoul! Below, I’ve first listed places where you can get a full meal, and then moved on to dessert bakeries and cafes (which are very popular in Seoul—but not what you want when you’re hangry for dinner!).

A word of warning: I recommend double checking gluten free status, even at these restaurants. Even though everything was gluten free at these spots during my visit, they don’t all advertise themselves super openly as 100% gluten free and things can change.

6 Day Chicken ☆

Am I being dramatic if I say 6 Day Chicken is the reason I came to South Korea?

This is a 100% gluten free Korean fried chicken restaurant, run by the kindest Korean couple, Lee and her husband. (Side note: prepare yourself to be photographed and posted on their Instagram, if you accept!).

We actually ate here twice and here’s my verdict: put this at the very top of your “must eat” list. We tried a few different flavor combos but our favorites were the sweet and sour, and soy. And don’t forget to add rice cakes and sweet potato!

Nageunae ☆

I dream of Nageunae. This is a gluten free restaurant run by one very talented chef (if you’re already familiar with the Seoul gluten free scene, he used to own Snack Room). He uses homemade soy sauce and gojuchang that is totally gluten free, and the food is PHENOMENAL.

Think of the food here as elevated yet wholesome Korean food. We had a bowl of buckwheat noodles with ALL the toppings, and it was so flavorful. Also gluten free buchujeon (chives pancake) with sauce—the only place outside of cooking classes that I found gluten free Korean pancakes.

The very best dish was a fried prawn inari with gojuchang… quite possibly my favorite bite in all of Korea!

Not all of the drinks here are gluten free. However, the chef advised us on which soju was suitable for celiacs. Add this to your must-visit list!

Sunnyhouse

Sunnyhouse (formerly Sunnybread) is one of the longest-running gluten free restaurants in Seoul, established in 2017. I actually remember a gluten free pal visiting Seoul back then, and eating every single meal here because it was the only place she could eat safely! Oh, how times have changed.

This is still a go-to spot for gluten free food. Expect gluten free waffles, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, cupcakes, and more. It sounds like a breakfast spot, but actually is only open 12pm to 8pm, making it more of a lunch or dinner place.

One important note is that they’ve recently decided to stop promoting themselves heavily as gluten free, and keep it more of a subtle “if you know, you know.” For that reason, I’d be sure to double check its 100% gluten free status when you visit.

Monil 2 House ☆

Monil 2 House is a 100% gluten free bakery and cafe in Hongdae, and the ONLY place in Korea where I found gluten free salt bread (a Korean specialty). And wow, is this salt bread good. For that reason alone it’s a must-visit.

Monil 2 House also sells other baked goods, plus gluten free churros, bagels, pizza, sandwiches, and more. You can also pick up gluten free soy sauce here, if you forgot to pack some.

We actually booked our accommodation in Seoul, during our second visit, specifically to be close to Monil 2 House! It opens at 10am, which is actually quite early by Seoul standards, making it a good breakfast choice.

237 Pizza 

237 Pizza is a 100% gluten free pizza restaurant in Seoul. Sadly, they were closed throughout my entire visit because they were relocating. However, I’ve heard from others that the pizza is very good here (I believe they use gluten free wheat starch like they often do in Italy—so not suitable for those with wheat allergies).

Angbearcake

Angbearcake is a small gluten free cafe located in Yeonnam-dong, close to the overall Hongdae area and Monil 2 House.

They serve various gluten free cakes and drinks here, but the highlight for us was the gluten free egg tarts. We sat overlooking the leafy street and it was so peaceful.

Cafe Interact

Cafe Interact is a gluten free and sugar free bakery in Gangnam (which is somewhat of a gluten free dead area so this is a good option to have up your sleeve!).

We shared some gluten free lemon pound cake, and vanilla lattes. This wasn’t my favorite baked good of the trip but it was a nice spot to rest. 

Jaiso 

Jaiso is a traditional fruit mochi shop, and it was a particularly exciting discovery for me. I was walking by, and the mochi looked unreal. When I showed my translation card, I swear every member of staff read over it, and then they told me the entire shop is gluten free!

The mochi tasted incredible and I think about it all the time, and wish I’d ordered more!

Since this is one of those coincidentally gluten free spots, please double check with your translation card when you visit in case things change.

Also, some navigation advice: there are three Jaiso locations but they’re not all on Google Maps with the same name. The one we went to was near Anguk station. 

Cafe Pepper

Cafe Pepper is a gluten free bakery not too far from Lotte World Tower. Its cakes and drinks look delicious. I sadly didn’t make it here myself, but I’ve since been informed on Instagram that this is actually the original gluten free bakery in Seoul!

A word of warning: some reviews mention some baked goods labeled “low gluten” so definitely check about that when you visit. Like many establishments in Korea, the line between dedicated gluten free and not is somewhat of a gray area, so you must always be cautious.

Cream Day Cakeshop 

Cream Day Cakeshop is a gluten free cake and cookie bakery in Mapo-gu, again quite close to the overall Hongdae area (I’m not sure on exact neighborhood boundaries).

It’s only open on Saturdays and Sundays, and for that reason I didn’t have a chance to visit it myself. However, I’ve heard it’s very good!

Ketobbang 

Ketobbang is a gluten free and keto bakery, literally right next door to Cream Day Cakeshop. It’s not open every day of the week, and the hours seem to change, so be sure to check before you visit.

17 Best Seoul Restaurants With Gluten Free Options

The following restaurants and cafes aren’t dedicated gluten free, but in my experience they were able to safely accommodate celiacs. Again, I’ve listed places that offer full meals first, and then moved on to dessert cafes.

Sky Gimbap ☆

Sky Gimbap is another must-visit in Seoul! This charming one-woman restaurant, located in Anguk near the Bukchon Hanok Village, was my very first meal of the whole trip straight off my overnight flight. We came back another time and got takeaway because the food here was that good.

As soon as I showed my translation card, the owner knew immediately about celiac and gluten free. She showed me which dishes could be gluten free, including several gimbap (a Korean seaweed/rice wrap, similar to sushi but with different fillings) and tteok-bokki (a spicy soup with rice cakes). This was actually my gluten-eating husband’s favorite tteok-bokki of the whole trip!

Each order is prepared individually, so she can take all the required steps to avoid cross contact.

One thing to note is that when I visited, she told us the spam gimbap was gluten free. I ate it with no ill effects (and I’m very sensitive to gluten). Later on during our trip, I found some spam in a convenience store and saw that whilst the ingredients were all gluten free, it did have a “may contain” allergen warning for wheat. So, do with that what you will. I’d probably avoid the spam gimbap if I had my time again just to be extra safe.

Ssal Tongdak / 쌀통닭 당산점

Ssal Tongdak is an unassuming Korean fried chicken restaurant, where all the chicken is fried in 100% rice flour! This means all the fryers are, indeed, dedicated gluten free.

However, all of the sauces here do contain gluten. Sauces are added in bowls after frying, so there’s very little risk of cross contact.

As a celiac, you can only get the plain fried chicken, with no sauce. I personally brought a bottle of gluten free Korean BBQ sauce from home, specifically to use at this restaurant and add some extra flavor. It was DELICIOUS and such a good forethought!

The staff here are aware of celiac and gluten free, and it’s even marked on the menu. You’re in good hands!

853 BBQ

853 BBQ is a very celiac-aware Korean BBQ spot. They get a lot of gluten free visitors so the staff is very knowledgeable.

As for the actual food, this is a pork-only KBBQ spot. You can have unmarinated pork, and they will also instruct you which banchan (side dishes) are gluten free. The kimchi here is not gluten free.

I thought the food here was just okay, and nothing too exciting. However it definitely felt safe, which is so important in Korea.

WOOBAEKJANG ☆

WOOBAEKJANG was my favorite Korean BBQ experience during our trip! This is a small KBBQ restaurant, mostly frequented by locals, located along the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail near Hongdae. It’s such an idyllic setting—I recommend going during lunchtime and eating in the sun!

The owner here was so sweet and helpful. I messaged him in advance over Instagram about gluten free, and he went above and beyond to assist me. The unmarinated meat is gluten free (and super high-quality wagyu beef, but not overpriced!). We also grilled mushrooms, and he even made me special gluten free banchan.

Also, since this is a less-touristy spot, you can grill your own meat here instead of having staff grill it for you, which I personally loved.

ZIU BBQ 

ZIU BBQ was the third and final Korean BBQ restaurant I tried in Seoul. They were happy to read my translation card and instruct me what I could eat. This included the typical unmarinated meat, as well as certain banchan.

Something noteworthy is that the kimchi here is gluten free, because it’s made in small batches rather than commercially where they add wheat (I triple checked about this, since it’s not very common!).

I enjoyed my meal here and it was convenient after visiting the N Seoul Tower, but I wouldn’t go out of your way.

Solsot Pot Rice

Solsot Pot Rice is a viral sensation for its signature scorched rice bowls. They have a few locations across Seoul but the one that seems to be most frequented by gluten free folks (AKA, where you might have the most luck with staff understanding celiac!) is near Ikseon-dong Hanok Village. As such, that’s the only location I’ve included in my map, but you could try your luck at other locations, too.

I actually ate at Solsot Pot Rice in Busan, not in Seoul, and I was surprised that only two dishes could be gluten free, not including the steak bowl which, per reviews, most celiacs seem to order in Seoul (I got the abalone bowl). So, definitely show your translation card here.

I have a hunch that they might have to adjust the sauces to be gluten free, and it’s possible that only the Ikseon-dong location in Seoul is willing to do that.

Jalppajin Memil 

Jjalpajin Memil is a buckwheat noodle restaurant, also located in the Ikseon-dong Hanok Village.

They use 100% buckwheat flour here, and three of their noodle bowls are marked gluten free on the menu. However, when I showed my translation card and said I had to completely avoid soy sauce and any cross contact, they advised me that only one noodle bowl (the top one) was safe. The staff was very kind and cautious, and I felt that they took my needs seriously!

A huge warning for this restaurant: someone posted reviews that the dumplings here are GF. THIS IS NOT TRUE. I messaged the restaurant before our visit, and they told me that the dumpling dough is mixed with wheat flour. I truly don’t know how those people didn’t get sick! 

This just goes to show you really need to be cautious whose reviews you trust, and also do your own due diligence asking questions when you dine.

Gmanim

Ahh, Gmanim. I don’t recommend this spot but wanted to share our experience, since it’s on various apps for its gluten free options.

This is another one-woman show, hole-in-the-wall restaurant near Bukchon Hanok Village. The menu is vegan, and marks gluten free options.

Unfortunately, the owner can come off as quite rude (just read the Google Maps reviews to get a taste). Knowing this, we tried to be as polite and respectful as we could be.

However, she refused to read my translation card, or even speak to us at all. Every time we attempted to politely ask a question, she yelled at us to write our order on a sheet of paper. I felt uncomfortable with this. There’s a big chasm between “gluten free” and “celiac safe,” and it’s important to me to have a conversation so I know whether I can be accommodated safely.

We ended up leaving before ordering, and she screamed at us all the way out (despite not having time to speak to us, apparently, before that). Luckily, this was the only experience I had like that in Korea. Everywhere else the staff was very respectful and happy to thoroughly read my translation card and answer questions about cross contact.

Do with that story what you will, but I for one will not be going back.

Rami Scone

Rami Scone Cafe is an adorable dessert cafe within the popular Ikseon-dong Hanok Village. I came here because someone recommended I try their gluten free souffle cakes.

Regarding cross contact, this is not a fully gluten free cafe. In fact, they have tons of wheat-based baked goods. However, when I visited, all the gluten free souffle cakes were stored completely separately within an enclosed glass case. They also assured me that they took measures to avoid cross contact when prepping the cakes.

I was a big fan of my strawberry and cream plain souffle cake, and I didn’t get sick (or I’d obviously be sharing a much different review here, lol). 

Glunic

Glunic is a lovely little cafe and dessert shop, located close to Seoul Forest. Most of the cakes here are gluten free, but they do have some vegan cakes that aren’t GF. Be sure to show your translation card and check before ordering.

I had the strawberry cake in a glass, which was so cute and tasted very good, too!

Namusae Tea House 

Namusae Tea House is a traditional teahouse, close to Insa-dong Culture Street. When I showed my translation card, they read it thoroughly and informed me all of the desserts were gluten free at that time.

I have to say, Dan and I both thought our drinks here were a bit odd (and didn’t really resemble the photos on the menu whatsoever). However, it was still a peaceful place to rest.

Attimong 

We found Attimong in the basement of the COEX Mall (where Starfield Library is), and it was such an exciting find! I showed my translation card and confirmed with the staff that all of the walnut cakes and corn cakes here are gluten free, made with rice flour. It was such a treat!

To find it, head to the main entrance of the Megabox Cinema, and you’ll find it located opposite Shake Shack.

More Gluten Free Restaurants in Seoul

There are a few more restaurants and cafes in Seoul that offer gluten free options, that I want to shout out. I ran out of time to dine at these personally, but they’re worth adding to your list. These include:

• Akira Back: A high-end Japanese restaurant within the Four Seasons Hotel (expect a price tag to match). There is a separate gluten free menu here. Options are limited but sound good.
• Hidden Gem: A chocolate shop near N Seoul Tower that serves gluten free cookies. I’m unsure if it’s 100% GF or not. We tried to visit but it was closed!
• Biwon Tteokjip: A traditional rice cake shop that used to supply desserts to the palace. I’ve read reviews that the rice cakes are gluten free, but of course double check.
• Ssongthai Yeoksam: A Thai restaurant that can reportedly provide a few gluten free options.
• Colombiano: A Colombian restaurant in Hongdae that reportedly serves gluten free arepas.

I think that covers it, but please let me know in the comments below if you find more gluten free options in Seoul, so I can add them to this list!

Gluten Free Coin Cakes and Street Food in Seoul

Now for perhaps the most exciting section… is it even possible to find gluten free street food in Seoul?

My answer is YES (woohoo!) but it will definitely take some detective work on your part, and your options are limited.

Gluten Free 10 Won Cakes in Seoul

I stumbled upon a gluten free 10 won cake stall in Hongdae, completely by accident (best day ever). After showing my translation card and asking tons of questions, I determined that it was truly made with rice flour!

They don’t have an official listing on Google Maps, but you can find them nearby this pinned location. Check out the photos below for reference.

Please keep in mind that lots of coin cake stalls advertise 100% Korean rice, but this doesn’t mean wheat flour or pure gluten isn’t added (I go into more detail in my general gluten free Korea guide—this is a huge problem for celiacs in Korea).

So it’s really important that you always ask questions, and look out for signs that specifically say “gluten free” and not just “100% Korean rice.” The spot above is safe, and there are likely others, too!

Gluten Free Taiyaki in Seoul

If you’re a fan of taiyaki, which is a gluten free rice cake pressed to look like a fish, then there may be a good spot for you in Seoul. I have NOT eaten here myself, but I saw a post in a Facebook Group right after my visit. I want to share it with you so you can do your own sleuthing. The sign outside the shop says in English “100% gluten free” so this is promising!

Here is the Naver location (in Mapo-gu, near Hongdae). I think that this is the equivalent spot on Google Maps, but there are no reviews yet so you’re better off using the Naver link.

Gluten Free Gwangjang Market and Other Street Food in Seoul

As for other street food options, options are somewhat limited. Your safest bets will be:

• Candied strawberry skewers
• Mung bean pancakes (if that’s the only thing cooked on the grill)
• Seafood with no sauce (and again, if that’s the only thing cooked on the grill)
• Mochi (can contain gluten, so ask!)

I was able to eat all of the above at Gwangjang Market, and it was really fun to be able to participate in that. I didn’t have as much luck at Myeongdong night market or other markets in Seoul. Your translation card will come in clutch in these situations!

Where to Stay in Seoul as a Celiac or Gluten Intolerant Traveler

Where you stay as a celiac is very important in Seoul. This city is MASSIVE, and the last thing you want to be doing at the end of a long day is trekking miles away for a safe meal.

During my pre-trip research I noticed that gluten free restaurants are concentrated in certain areas, and quite sparse in between. My top two recommended neighborhoods are:

• Hongdae: Walking distance to GF spots like Monil 2 House, Sunnyhouse, Angbearcake, WOOBAEKJANG, and more. Also easy public transport to Nageunae and Ssal Tongdak! Great neighborhood for any beauty or spa treatments, and very convenient for day trip pickups, like the DMZ.
• Anguk: Walking distance to GF spots like Sky Gimbap, 853 BBQ, Rami Scone, Solsot, Jalppajin Memil, and more. Just super peaceful and cute. Also great access for tourist sites like the hanok villages and palaces.

Hongdae Hotels I Recommend

In Hongdae, I recommend staying near Hongik University Station, with easy access to Monil2 House Bakery. I won’t recommend the specific apartment we stayed in, but the following accommodations are in a similar location and look ideal:

• H House Yeonnam: A block of serviced apartments very close to where we stayed, with private kitchens.
• SeeU House Hongdae: Another block of apartments in a similar location to where we stayed, with private kitchens.
• L7 Hotel Hongdae: A gorgeous, highly-recommended hotel with all the amenities, near the station. Perfect if you want a touch of luxury and prefer hotels to serviced apartments.

Anguk Hotels I Recommend

In Anguk, we stayed in this traditional Hanok Airbnb. The owner was even able to prepare me a gluten free breakfast! Staying in a hanok is such a special experience—I highly recommend it.

If that’s all booked up, then I recommend these nearby hanok stays:

• AWIK Hanok Stay: A mid-range hanok stay in a prime location, with great reviews. It has nice modern touches like beds instead of floor mats, and amazing looking bathrooms (a definite perk in Seoul!).
• Hanok Got: A highly-rated hanok stay that’s a bit more basic and quite affordable. It offers beds instead of floor mats. Each room has its own kitchenette!
• Nostalgia Hanok Hotel: A luxury hanok building with excellent reviews, which has mattresses instead of floor mats. Also has a kitchen, modern bathrooms, and even offers ceramics classes. This one would be a splurge.

I highly recommend choosing accommodation with access to a kitchen when in South Korea. All my recommended spots above have kitchenettes.

Gluten Free Seoul: Final Thoughts

There you have it, my complete gluten free guide to Seoul as a celiac! I truly hope that this is helpful for your travel planning.

If you want a good starting point, these are my top five gluten free meals I ate in Seoul:

1. 6 Day Chicken: Delicious and totally celiac safe fried chicken, with the sweetest owners. It’s my #1 must visit.
2. Nageunae: For sure the highest quality dishes I had in Korea, with complex and creative flavors and an extremely talented chef-owner. The fried prawn inari bites live rent free in my head.
3. WOOBAEKJANG: My top pick for Korean BBQ. Expect wagyu beef, the kindest owner, lovely views, and a super authentic environment.
4. Sky Gimbap: The only place I found gluten free tteok-bokki in South Korea. The owner is so welcoming, too.
5. Monil 2 House: The gluten free salt bread alone is worth planning a trip to South Korea.

If you have any questions about gluten free travel in Seoul, or South Korea in general, then just leave me a comment below or reach out via my Instagram!

Check out my other gluten free travel guides…

Gluten Free Japan

Gluten Free Tokyo

Gluten Free South Korea (coming soon!)

Gluten Free Busan (coming soon!)