Discover Apgujeong Vegan Restaurant Dahlia Dining, a trendy restaurant by Chef Choi Hyun Seok in Seoul, serving creative vegan pasta, gnocchi, lasagna, and plant-based fine dining dishes.
Apgujeong Vegan Restaurant Dahlia Dining: Chef Choi Hyun Seok’s Unexpected Vegan World in Seoul
A Vegan Dining Experience That Completely Changed My Perspective
How far can Chef Choi Hyun Seok expand his culinary universe?
For the longest time, I thought his expertise was mainly rooted in Italian cuisine. But then came Japanese-inspired dining concepts, Chinese-inspired restaurants, and now… vegan dining.
And not just any vegan restaurant.
This was the kind of place where, if nobody told you it was vegan, you would never guess.
That was exactly how I felt visiting Dahlia Dining, one of the most talked-about Apgujeong vegan restaurants in Seoul.
Back when I used to operate a food platform, I became deeply interested in vegan food culture and met many plant-based brands and restaurants. But honestly, after experiencing too many disappointing versions of soy meat, I gradually lost interest.
Then I visited Apgujeong Vegan Restaurant Dahlia Dining.
And suddenly, everything I thought I knew about vegan cuisine completely changed.
Even while looking directly at the dishes and tasting them myself, my brain kept struggling to process the fact that everything was actually vegan.
Location & Accessibility of Apgujeong Vegan Restaurant Dahlia Dining
- Address: 2F, 14 Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
- Nearest Station: Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 5 (approximately 10-minute walk)
Apgujeong Vegan Restaurant Dahlia Dining sits right in the middle of the trendy Dosan Park area, surrounded by stylish cafes, designer boutiques, and popular restaurants.
It is the perfect location whether you want a relaxed brunch before exploring Apgujeong or an elegant dinner after a full day around Gangnam.
If visiting by car, valet parking is available, which is honestly almost essential in this area.
A quick warning though: Friday nights can get chaotic.
The valet booth is located near the Byredo store alley entrance, and while the staff told me to simply turn on my hazard lights and wait, the valet attendant happened to disappear at the exact moment I arrived. Meanwhile, taxis behind me started honking aggressively.
So yes, expect a slightly stressful valet situation during peak hours.
- Valet Fee: 5,000 KRW
Also, while some visitors mistakenly try entering through the Dear Dahlia cosmetics store downstairs, the restaurant has a separate entrance and elevator access, which is much easier to use.
Opening Hours
- Daily: 12:00 – 21:30
- Last Order: 20:30
- Break Time: 15:00 – 18:00
more info : Official Instagram
Interior & Atmosphere of Apgujeong Vegan Restaurant Dahlia Dining
The first thing I thought when entering Apgujeong Vegan Restaurant Dahlia Dining was:
“This place feels like spring.”
The entire restaurant is filled with soft pink tones, floral details, and elegant lighting that make the space feel both romantic and trendy at the same time.
Since Apgujeong Vegan Restaurant Dahlia Dining collaborates with the vegan beauty brand Dear Dahlia, the design naturally continues the same feminine yet luxurious aesthetic found downstairs in the cosmetics boutique.
The layout itself feels spacious and refined.
At the center is a staircase connecting to the Dear Dahlia store below, while both sides of the dining area are arranged with generously spaced tables that create a calm lounge-like atmosphere.
Near the windows are several four-person tables with beautiful natural lighting, while the opposite side features an open bar concept that keeps the restaurant visually open without exposing the kitchen directly.
Toward the back is a private dining room that comfortably fits around 10 guests, making it perfect for birthdays, gatherings, or private dinners.
Because the restaurant is already one of Seoul’s most popular vegan dining spots—and carries Chef Choi Hyun Seok’s name—reservations are highly recommended.
I visited with my parents and reserved ahead of time, which allowed us to immediately sit at a lovely table decorated with delicate floral details.
Menu of Apgujeong Vegan Restaurant Dahlia Dining
After being seated, the staff brought over a tablet ordering system and kindly explained the menu.
My father had never tried vegan Western cuisine before, so naturally he became extremely curious and asked question after question about nearly every dish.
Thankfully, the staff responded with incredible patience and warmth.
If you are unfamiliar with vegan cuisine or unsure what certain ingredients actually are, do not hesitate to ask. The explanations are detailed and genuinely helpful.
The menu itself is fascinating because every dish looks familiar at first glance—but each one contains surprising vegan substitutions and creative techniques.
This meal quickly became less about simply eating and more about discovering how far vegan cuisine can evolve.
The Food at Apgujeong Vegan Restaurant Dahlia Dining
The Cabbage Salad That Already Felt Different
The first dish to arrive was a whole cabbage-based salad topped with balsamic dressing, dried tomatoes, crispy toppings, and vegan cheese alternatives.
At first glance, it seemed simple enough.
Of course cabbage is vegan.
Of course balsamic dressing is vegan.
But the deeper explanation behind the toppings completely changed the experience.
The crispy “bacon chips” were actually made from dehydrated beetroot seasoned to recreate both the texture and saltiness of bacon.
And the grated “cheese” on top?
Brazil nut powder.
Normally I do not even enjoy beetroot much, but these chips were genuinely addictive—crispy, salty, and surprisingly satisfying.
The Brazil nut powder did not taste exactly like cheese, but instead delivered a rich nutty sweetness that worked beautifully with the salad.
That was the moment the meal officially became exciting.
Vegan Egg Yolk That Looked Completely Real
Next came the vegan tsukune-style grilled soy meat skewers.
To be honest, after attending countless vegan food expos in the past, I was not expecting much from soy meat dishes anymore.
But the first shocking detail was actually the egg yolk served alongside the skewers.
Because it was not egg.
The glossy texture, soft consistency, and rich yellow color looked unbelievably realistic.
The staff explained that the yolk was created using molecular techniques with soybean oil and saffron coloring.
And honestly?
It was one of the most impressive vegan techniques I have ever seen in person.
The grilled skewers themselves also surprised me because they incorporated gosari (fernbrake) and other vegetables inside the soy meat mixture, adding complexity and texture instead of the usual flat soybean taste many vegan meats suffer from.
If nobody told me it was vegan, I genuinely would not have guessed.
The Truffle Gnocchi Everyone Should Order
The truffle gnocchi was easily one of the highlights of the entire meal.
Fresh truffle shaved generously on top already made the dish visually stunning, but the real surprise was the cream sauce.
Instead of dairy cream, the sauce was made with:
- Coconut cream
- Cashews
- Oat milk
Yet somehow it still delivered the same luxurious richness expected from classic Italian cream sauce.
The gnocchi itself was perfectly chewy, while the earthy truffle aroma combined beautifully with the nutty cream base.
This is absolutely one of the dishes I would recommend first at Dahlia Dining.
Vegan Lasagna That Fooled Everyone
The lasagna became my father’s favorite dish of the night.
The meat sauce used soy protein, but the texture and flavor were so convincing that it genuinely tasted like traditional meat ragù.
The only interesting difference was the cheese layer.
To recreate stretchy melted cheese textures, the restaurant used glutinous rice techniques instead of dairy cheese, creating a texture somewhat similar to Korean rice cakes.
Personally, I could see how this texture might divide opinions slightly, but the creativity behind it was undeniably impressive.
The Unexpected Star: Mapo Tofu Cream Risotto
One of the final dishes we ordered was a creamy risotto topped with vegan mapo tofu.
The staff specifically recommended not mixing it aggressively, but instead scooping deeply from the bottom to experience all the layers together.
And wow.
This may have been my favorite dish of the entire evening.
The same rich vegan cream sauce used in the gnocchi paired with soft tofu and flavorful soy-based meat incredibly well.
It was creamy, savory, slightly spicy, and deeply comforting at the same time.
This was the dish that made me think:
“I actually want to recreate this at home.”
Final Thoughts about Apgujeong Vegan Restaurant Dahlia Dining
Among all of Chef Choi Hyun Seok’s restaurants, Apgujeong Vegan Restaurant Dahlia Dining genuinely felt like the one built with the most experimentation, research, and thought.
The restaurant blends inspiration from Italian, Japanese, and Chinese cuisine into completely original vegan dishes that feel surprisingly approachable.
And perhaps the biggest surprise of all?
The pricing.
Considering the location in Apgujeong and the upscale atmosphere, the menu felt much more casual and accessible than expected.
Because honestly, most people—including me—automatically associate vegan dining with extremely expensive tasting menus.
But Apgujeong Vegan Restaurant Dahlia Dining breaks that stereotype completely.
More importantly, it breaks the biggest stereotype of all:
That vegan food cannot truly be delicious.
This was the first restaurant that genuinely made me rethink vegan cuisine entirely.
Whether visiting with adventurous foodie friends, parents, or for a date night around Dosan Park, Apgujeong Vegan Restaurant Dahlia Dining feels like one of those rare restaurants almost anyone can enjoy.
And personally?
I already know I will be coming back Apgujeong Vegan Restaurant soon with my boyfriend for another dinner date.
Related post about Vegan food spot in Seoul you might enjoy : Sinsa dong Vegan Bakery Nordi: Surprisingly Delicious Vegan & Gluten-Free Cakes in Seoul
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