29% of Domestic Hotels Report "Increase in Vegetarian and Vegan Room Service"
Impact of COVID-19, Climate Change
Industry Expands Vegetarian Room Service... Development of Exclusive Menus
Recently, the proportion of people seeking vegetarian and vegan food through hotel room service has increased. Vegetarianism, once perceived as a niche culture, has become a social trend amid the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, along with growing awareness of animal rights among younger generations.
According to a survey conducted by the global accommodation booking platform Hotels.com on domestic hotels on the 1st, 29% of respondents said that "orders for vegetarian and vegan dishes have increased in the past year." The survey was conducted from April 5 to 23, targeting 473 hotels offering room service in about 10 countries including South Korea, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Overseas hotels reported a 75% increase in orders for vegetarian and vegan food through room service compared to before, indicating a global surge in vegetarianism.
In line with this trend, major domestic hotels are expanding their vegetarian and vegan menus. Some offer options to select vegetarian-friendly ingredients and dressings in existing dishes, while others develop exclusive menus specifically for vegetarians.
Novotel Ambassador Seoul in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, offers 24-hour vegetarian room service options in guest rooms. Guests can choose from menus such as "Avocado Salad," "Tomato Pasta made with Tofu," and "Tofu Rice Bowl," and finish their meal with a vegan dessert, "Carrot Cake with Apple Mint Chutney."
The Shilla Hotel Seoul is well known for operating dedicated categories for "Health and Special Meals" and "Vegan." The vegan category includes dishes like "Baby Leaf Salad with Flaxseed Oil" and "Healthy Grain Salad with Truffle Hemp Seed Dressing," while the health and special meals category offers "Warm Oatmeal with Apples" and "Vegetable Soup." Additionally, there are Asian specialty vegan dishes such as "Vegetable Rice Bowl topped with Stir-fried Asparagus, Bamboo Shoots, and Donggo Mushrooms," as well as Western vegan dishes like "Spaghetti Pomodoro" and "Assorted Vegetable Sandwich."
Parnas Hotel Jeju in Seogwipo City, Jeju, provides room service with vegetarian menu options from 7 a.m. to midnight. Guests who prefer vegetarian meals can choose from "Fresh Seasonal Fruits," "Fresh Fruit Juice," "Mushroom Soup," or "Potato Soup." The Grand Hyatt Jeju offers 24-hour vegetarian room service with a continental breakfast including a bakery basket, yogurt, and cereal, while The Westin Chosun Busan serves "Grilled Vegetable Panini Sandwich" and "Tomato Spaghetti."
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