Sanchon~ Vegetarian Dining in SK~

I gathered my vegetarian friend Jaime, culinary star Brooke, and her future-husband Mike, to check out a popular restaurant in Insa-dong. Serving Buddhist food prepared by a stellar chef, Sanchon is a golden ticket to Korean vegetarian eating. There are no chemical additives, stimulant spices, or meat products used on the menu.

We began the course with walnut porridge and vegetable soup. The main spread included seven seasonal vegetables, rice, tofu soup, three types of pajeon (Korean style pancakes), fried vegetables, acorn gelatin (which sounds so bizarre to us western folk, but is so so SO tasty), japchae, my favorite, (potato starch noodles with stir fried veggies), spring rolls and MORE! There are twenty dishes in total, including the cinnamon tea and rice cakes served as a dessert. There was so much food to sample, all cooked without a touch of meat, and the vegetables are collected from the mountains.

Even with a restriction on seasoning the food was so tasty; I dare classify is as one of the best meals I've had in Korea.... and I still cant get that tea off my mind! [Jaime, we have to go back to the ajumma and buy some!]

In addition to the wholesome meal the interior space is natural and cozy with floor seating and wood finishes everywhere. Set in a traditional Hanok, it is filled with tokens of Buddhism and lotus lanterns illuminate the space.

The dishes and flatware are identical to what Monks use and are handmade from Zelkova trees found on Jiri-san. From 8 to 9 every night there is a traditional Korean dance performance. Eight dances and ornate traditional Korean dress flow around the stage. The performance wraps up with a collective performance by diners, so bring your dancing shoes, but be sure to leave them at the door.

Dinner and show costs 40,000 Won; Lunch special 20,000 Won. You can buy many of the foods and teas, as well as cookbooks by the master chef. Sanchon is located off the main drag in Insa-dong. Look for the Sanchon Tea and Gift Shop, wind your way to the very back and you will be at the door to the vegetarian paradise.

http://www.sanchon.com/english/