Spotlight on Korean Food: Eat like a Buddhist Monk!

Written by Bessie about Korea, Republic of. Feelin' normal

Eating like a king was really delicious, but it would be hard to top eating traditional Buddhist temple food. All veggies, no dairy. Some of you might say, no way would that be delicious, but Sinchon, a restaurant in Insadong in Seoul, has a delicious feast! We went on Thanksgiving, but everyday of the year you can go for 20 small dishes of the most delicious vegetarian food I can image.

Feast your eyes on this:
Sanchon Restaurant, Insadong, Korea

It was the most colorful, flavorful meal I could ever imagine. All the dishes are traditional Buddhist monk food. I never thought seaweed, roots, and leaves could taste so delicious. It was an assortment of things like fern bracken, lotus root, kelp, cabbage. The assortment boggled my mind.
Setting the scene:
Sanchon Restaurant, Insadong, Korea

Our friend Evan visiting from LA.

There's also after dinner entertainment. Dancers come out in traditional silk clothing playing drums.
Sanchon Restaurant, Insadong, Korea

And they pulled us on stage to bang on drums and gongs too. Loud noises!!
Sanchon Restaurant, Insadong, Korea

The evening was a feast for all the senses, and definitely one of the top 5 things we've done in Korea.

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December 23, 2009 Julian: I went to a Korean restauarant in Denver vfor the first time about year ago and they brought out a similar veggie spread, so at least I now know it was authentic.

December 23, 2009 Rose P.: Bessie and Kyle, sending you wishes for a Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Year!!!!!!

from Rose P. in Canada

December 24, 2009 mumsie: Yummy looking spread! Wish I could have experienced that with you! :)

December 28, 2009 jes: This place looks really cool! Could you give more information on where in Insadong it is? Also, do these performers perform on certain nights, what time did you have your dinner, and did you need reservations? Sorry for so many questions, I just think this really looks like fun and I couldn't find it anywhere online.

January 03, 2010 Bessie: No problem Jes! It's in the Lonely Planet, and according to it, there are dancers every night at 8pm and dinner is 39,000 Won, lunch 22,000 but I think no performance. On a weeknight there was plenty of space, but it could vary. The phone number is 735-0312, Seoul's city code is 02.

Location is a little trickier. About halfway down the main Insadong street, it's down one of the winding streets. On the main Insadong-gil look for a buddhist tea shop, Jilsiru Tteok Cafe, I think it's the same owners as Sanchon. Follow that winding street with a left, right, left and you'll be there! It's worth it!!!