A Taste Worth Bowing For: The Rise of Korean Temple Cuisine In recent years, temple cuisine in Korea has evolved far beyond the temple gates and into the hearts—and social feeds—of modern food lovers. Especially among women in their 20s and 30s, the appeal of “절밥 (jeol-bap),” or traditional Buddhist temple food, has skyrocketed thanks to its wholesome ingredients, seasonal flavors, and mindful preparation. It’s not just food—it’s a philosophy served on a plate. A New Hotspot: Seokbulsa Temple in Mapo https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/032/0003383825 One of the most buzzworthy spots is Seokbulsa, a serene Buddhist temple perched on a hill in Dohwa-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. It offers an unexpected but stunning view of the Han River and Mapo Bridge, just a 7-minute walk from Mapo Station. This isn’t your average restaurant—it’s a place of spiritual retreat that also happens to serve incredible meals as part of its Templestay program. Each meal here is an abundant spread, often featuring over 20 small side dishes (banchan). During a recent Templestay, 20 out of 25 participants were women in their 20s and 30s. At 4:30 p.m. sharp, as participants filed into the dining hall, audible gasps and camera shutters filled the air. The low wooden tables were adorned with a dazzling variety of colorful dishes: potato croquettes, seasoned burdock with citron, acorn jelly, braised king oyster mushrooms, seasoned deodeok, lotus root salad, japchae, seasoned butterbur stems, pickled cucumbers, braised baby potatoes, aged kimchi with soybean paste, assorted veggie pancakes, and much more. Most participants returned for second—and third—helpings, and many took to Instagram before finishing their first bite. “I read so many reviews before choosing this place. Everyone said the food was amazing—and it totally exceeded my expectations.”“They said it was the best temple food in Korea, so I came with my sister. I’m bringing my mom next time!” What Makes Seokbulsa So Special? https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/032/0003383825 Founded during the Joseon Dynasty under King Sukjong, Seokbulsa is a Bhikkhuni (female monastic) temple with deep-rooted traditions. Because of its accessible location and growing popularity, the nuns here are constantly preparing meals for visitors. Even on a tight budget, they’ve maintained a long-standing practice of serving generous, beautiful meals using seasonal, locally-grown ingredients. The temple’s small gardens are filled with pumpkins, cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, and herbs. They also grow potatoes and other staples in rural areas like Dangjin, Inje, Yesan, and Mungyeong with the help of sister temples. Behind every meal is Ven. Jaehun, a nun who has been crafting more than 20 side dishes for each weekend meal for years. “I don’t plan menus ahead of time,” she says. “I just see what’s in season and cook from the heart. Seeing our guests enjoy their meals is the best reward.” More Temples Turning into Culinary Destinations https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/032/0003383825 While Seokbulsa is rapidly rising in popularity, it’s joining a rich tradition of culinary excellence within Korean temples: Jingwansa Temple (Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul): Frequently visited by global figures like actor Richard Gere and U.S. First Lady Jill Biden. It's also the home of Ven. Jeong Kwan, made globally famous through Netflix’s Chef’s Table. Baekyangsa Temple (Jangseong, Jeollanam-do): Thanks to Ven. Jeong Kwan’s influence, this temple is now an internationally renowned temple food hub. Yeongseonsa Temple (Daejeon): Known for its central location amid apartment complexes, Yeongseonsa’s abbot Ven. Beopsong has gained acclaim for his culinary skills. He has even lectured at Le Cordon Bleu, the world-renowned culinary institute. His YouTube channel “House Temple Table” shares accessible, beautiful temple recipes for home cooks. Bongeunsa Temple (Suwon, Gwanggyo): This temple is home to Ven. Sunjae, Korea’s first officially recognized master of temple cuisine. It hosts annual autumn food festivals and seasonal Templestay programs centered on traditional cooking. Gangjin Temple Food Center (Jeollanam-do): Located near the historic Dasan Chodang and Baekryeonsa Temple, this center offers immersive food experiences in a traditional hanok setting. Led by Ven. Hongseung, it's become a must-visit for tourists and food lovers alike. Mangyeongsa Temple (Yeongwol, Gangwon-do): With its lush forest surroundings, the temple is famed among chefs for its rare wild herbs and plants—an untapped goldmine of culinary inspiration. Heritage Food Reimagined https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/032/0003383825 During the recent Temple Food Grand Festival held at the aT Center in Seoul, over 20,000 visitors flocked to sample and celebrate Korea’s sacred culinary traditions. The festival even featured heritage temple dishes reinterpreted for modern palates. At Seoknamsa Temple (Ulsan), the standout was shiitake tangtang stew. Made by pounding soaked shiitake mushrooms with a mallet, the result is a hearty, comforting stew full of earthy flavor. Unmunsa Temple (Cheongdo), the largest Bhikkhuni temple in Korea, showcased perilla oil-doenjang kimchi jjim, a beloved winter comfort food among student monks. Where to Taste Temple Cuisine in the City Even outside temple walls, you can savor authentic flavors at Balwoo Gongyang, a temple cuisine restaurant near Jogyesa Temple in Seoul. There, you’ll find signature dishes like: Shiitake Bibim Naengmyeon: Cold noodles mixed with sweet-spicy pear and shiitake sauce. Soy-Braised Shiitake Mushrooms: Slow-cooked with grain syrup and soy sauce for deep, mellow flavors. Temple food isn't just a passing trend—it's a window into Korea’s spiritual, sustainable, and culinary heritage. Whether you're a wellness foodie, a conscious traveler, or simply looking for something delicious and deeply grounding, Korean temple cuisine is sure to feed both your body and soul. #TempleFood #KoreanTempleCuisine #Seokbulsa #Templestay #SeoulHiddenGems #BuddhistCuisine #VeganKoreanFood #ZenEating #MindfulEating #SlowFood #PlantBased #KFood #KoreanCulture #SeoulEats #BuddhistTemple #Jeolbap #TraditionalKoreanFood #WellnessTravel #SpiritualRetreat #EcoFriendlyFood #HanRiverView #SeoulHotPlace #FoodieSeoul #VeganTravel #HealingFood
