Sanchon (산촌) - Vegan dining in Seoul Part. 2

Founded and opened by Monk Jeongsan, Sanchon is a vegan-friendly restaurant that mainly serves temple foods. The dishes found here are a results of Kim Yun-sik, who was inspired by the simple, clean and healthy diet that a Buddhist practitioner taught him years ago. Now, being a top authority on vegetarian food in Korea, Kim Yun-sik helped perfect the standard and quality of temple food.  

The dishes are made with all natural ingredients such as vegetables and mountain herbs, and are cooked without chemical additives. The actual dishes served vary by season, and in order to meet the tastes of the general public, the restaurant includes "five spices" (garlic, shallots, mountain leeks, etc.), which monks are typically not allowed to eat. Those who would like their food without these ingredients are asked to make their request at least one day prior to visiting.  - VisitKorea

We enjoyed the lunch set menu for 33000 Korean Won.  The set menu consisted of several courses of food.  At first glance one would assume that for 33000 won the portions would be bigger, however, it's a good thing the portions were small.  The portions were small because we were served roughly 16 different dishes!  This was still our first day out and about in Korea.  Yes, we were tired.  Yes, we were hungry.  But shortly before the last 2 courses we were so full!

Porridge and plain kimchi.

Various types of seaweed, each prepared differently.

Boozy pine tea, it was really tasty.

This and the following 2 images are part of our savory pancake dish.

Mushroom and eggplant.

More kimchi

Inside the basked are 7 wild herbs and veggies all seasoned differently.

The banchan were placed around the opened basket.

Bean paste stew; by this point we were struggling to eat all the food.

Rice with beans and perilla leaves.

Fruit wine.  I was so full I hardly drank any of it.

My favorite was the tea and rice pastries at the end.

We left Sanchon very full and very happy.  I would love to go back and have their dinner set.  If you have dinner at Sanchon, they have nightly entertainment at 8pm.  Some day I will go back and try their dinner.