Sanchon Korean Temple Cuisine Restaurant

Sanchon Korean Temple Cuisine Restaurant

Opened in 1981, "Sanchon" is a traditional Korean restaurant in Insa-dong famous for its specialization in temple cuisine. The place is well known among locals, but has become even more popular among foreign visitors-from ordinary tourists to international businessmen to official dignitaries.

When you eat at Sanchon, you get to taste a great vegetarian meal; you get to experience divine Korean temple food in a magical setting. Kimchee pots and fuchsia-colored lotus lanterns greet you at the entrance. Behind the reception desk is a dark place where home-made fruit teas are sold alongside antique Korean knick-knacks. Candles with Korean prayers written on them burn mysteriously on the shelves and the waiters are real monks dressed in traditional temple garb! It is also the first restaurant in the country to provide guests the combined joy of eating tasty food while watching performances of traditional dance and music.

Sanchon was founded by a former Buddhist monk Kim Yun-sik, 56, who spent 17 years living in a temple as a monk during which time he learned how to cook temple food and research various temple cuisines around the country. He has recently published his third book, Eye-pleasing Temple Cuisine, which is a combination travelogue and cookbook featuring healthy and tasty temple dishes.

Korean temple food is made with roots, herbs, plants and vegetables which can be found growing in forest and mountain areas. Chemical additives and stimulant spices are not used in temple cuisine. A full course meal can include things made with tofu, mushroom, potatoes, rice, and mugwort beans. Vegetable pancakes, different kinds of stews and steamed veggies are oftentimes part of the set menu. This kind of food may not be something you want to eat every day, but it's healthy as well as delicious. Some of the food even has medicinal purposes. The home-brewed fruit wine is a good accompaniment to your meal. A set dinner with 16 different dishes will run you 31,900 won. There are also a few a la carte choices.

If you are looking forward to a truly unique dining experience, you should definitely try Sanchon.

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