"Mom, I'm eating well" Vegans who 'gave up returning home' due to COVID-19, how do they prepare Chuseok tables?

Half of Office Workers Give Up Returning Home Due to COVID-19
Vegan A Says, "Glad Not to Hear Nagging to 'Eat Some Meat'"
Sending Regards to Parents with Simple Meals Like Zucchini Pancakes
Experts: "Nutrition Is Sufficient with Vegetarian Diet... Beware of Junk Food with Additives"

A simple meal prepared by Mr. C for Chuseok. Assorted jeon (pan-fried Korean pancakes) coated in batter and grilled (left) and bulgogi made with vegan meat (right).
Photo by Hyunju Park phj0325@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] "It's okay if I can't go home. I can't eat fried food anyway."

A, a worker in their 20s born in Daegu and currently living in Busan (Nam-gu, Busan), gave up on going home for this Chuseok. This is because they have only received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. A said, "My parents have already completed their second dose of the vaccine, but since they are elderly, I am still worried," adding, "I plan to visit my parents' home after the holiday crowd subsides."

A is not the only one who decided not to go home due to COVID-19. On the 13th, the job platform 'Saramin' surveyed 1,705 workers about their Chuseok homecoming plans, and half of the workers (51.9%) expressed their intention to give up going home. The most common reason for giving up was concern about infection due to the resurgence of COVID-19, accounting for 65%.

However, A is rather glad not to go home. This is because A is a vegan who avoids consuming meat and dairy products. They said, "There isn't much I can eat at the Chuseok ancestral rites table anyway. Even sweet potato fries have egg in the batter," adding, "Also, when I visit relatives' houses, I get tired of hearing nagging like 'Why don't you eat meat?', 'You're being fussy,' or 'Try this.'"

During the Chuseok holiday, A plans to have the same food as usual. A said, "I don't plan to prepare anything special just because it's Chuseok. I intend to eat as usual."

Mr. B's favorite vegan tangsuyuk (left) and black bean pasta. Photo by Mr. B.

B (26), who lives in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, shares the same view. Following a Lacto-Ovo diet, B said, "This Chuseok, I plan to eat vegan tangsuyuk, which I've recently been into. Just eating well as usual will make for an enjoyable Chuseok." Lacto-Ovo refers to a diet that avoids meat but allows eggs and dairy products.

B's table will feature simple but heartfelt dishes. B said, "Because of a busy daily life, I don't cook elaborate meals, but I enjoy simple dishes and vegan convenience foods. For breakfast, I eat granola, Greek yogurt, and salad; lunch mainly consists of carbohydrates like rice, bread, or noodles. Dinner varies, but recently I've eaten tteokbokki, jajangbap, pasta, cabbage pancakes, and vegan ramen," B shared.

On the other hand, C, a worker from Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, who describes themselves as a 'Junk Vegan,' plans to showcase their cooking skills this Chuseok. This is because of their parents' insistence that "even if you can't come home, you should eat well during the holidays." C said, "My parents repeatedly told me to take good care of myself since I can't come home. They were very worried because I usually don't eat well." 'Junk Vegan' refers to vegans who consume vegan junk foods such as frozen products made from plant-based ingredients.

C then introduced the Chuseok table they prepared. They said, "I simply made French fries, pan-fried tofu, and zucchini pancakes, accompanied by vegan bulgogi," adding, "I sent photos of the food I made and texted, 'I'm eating well. Did well, right?' My mom replied, 'You did better than me,' which made me proud."

Message history between Mr. C and his mother disclosed by Mr. C. Photo by Mr. C.

Experts suggest that sufficient nutrient intake is possible even with a vegan diet. Song Mu-ho, director of Vegidoctor, said, "In the past, Korea was poor and lacked nutrition, but nowadays, nutritionally, eating brown rice, vegetables, and fruits alone does not cause any protein deficiency," explaining, "Koreans have a mistaken belief that they need to eat meat to have strength. In a country like Korea, where food is abundant, there are rather many diseases caused by protein excess."

However, he advised restraint regarding vegan junk food. Director Song said, "Junk food is not natural food but processed food, so various seasonings, sugar, salt, and chemical additives are included during processing. Therefore, it is better to choose products with minimal processing," advising, "Especially, it is good to eat proper carbohydrates like brown rice to generate energy."