Life of A Vegetarian In the land of Non Veg South Korean Land
If you are a vegetarian, finding your kind of food is a big challenge in South Korea. Even on the street you will find only Non Vegetarian fare ranging from Tak Kochi (Skewed Chicken), Ojineo-Gui (Grilled Squid), Tempura, Seafood Pancakes, Emouk Guk (Fish Sticks with soup) to fried sausages. The only exception is Pajeon, kind of green onion pancakes. Most of the restaurants serve Guksu (noodles), but if you are a vegetarian, you have to call the Chef and explain to him not to use Aekjeot (Fish Sauce) this sauce is used in several variety of Kimchi.
But wait, in Korea Temple Food is a safer and interesting option.It is monastic diet, designed to nourish body as well as soul. This food is rooted in the religious history of Korea.
Buddhism came to Korea several centuries back. The faith was endorsed by some imperial dynasties partly or some entirely, but there were dynasties like House of Yi, which leaned more towards Confucianism. When Buddhism faith lost royal patronage the monks were forced to retreat to remote mountains, their recipes are full of wild edible plants.where they had to forage for their meals.
Buddhists now comprise only 15% of the total population. Only a few of restaurants of Korean capital Seoul offers this traditional temple food.
Buddhists in Korea are cent per cent Vegan as their faith forbids taking some one's life. Interestingly they prepare their food without five pungent herbs :
Onion/Scallions/Leaks, garlic,Allium, Asafoetida and Chives
as they believe that these herbs stir mind thus distract practitioners of the faith. Temple Food restaurants are a kind of novelty in urban Korea something like a Dhaba in Indian cities. There food serving will remind you our rural way of eating. Thus, the accoutrements ; floor sitting, bowls made from the woods of zelkova tree (The tree has its significance in Zen Buddhism.) large metal bells in a central courtyard, and entry only after removing shoes !
A typical temple meal begins with a bowl of pumpkin poridge, a serving of Kimchi, a portion of Yam wrapped in seaweed, acorn jelly...
And it is followed by main dishes. The waiter will lay down a bamboo container at the center of table and surrounds it with 11 kind of Kimchi. thereafter an array of dishes prepared with forest and mountain vegetables- mostly seasoned with sesame oil or soy sauce. this followed by bowl of rice with a piquant bamboo shoot stew.
Temple Food Restaurants have interesting desserts, sweet patato chips, potato fritters, lotus roots chips, honey drizzled rice puffs, shots of chilled cinnamon tea, a delicious digestive, so sweet. It is hard to believe no sugar is stirred in it.
The best part about this temple serving is made of ingredients which have medicinal properties.
But wait, in Korea Temple Food is a safer and interesting option.It is monastic diet, designed to nourish body as well as soul. This food is rooted in the religious history of Korea.
Buddhism came to Korea several centuries back. The faith was endorsed by some imperial dynasties partly or some entirely, but there were dynasties like House of Yi, which leaned more towards Confucianism. When Buddhism faith lost royal patronage the monks were forced to retreat to remote mountains, their recipes are full of wild edible plants.where they had to forage for their meals.
Buddhists now comprise only 15% of the total population. Only a few of restaurants of Korean capital Seoul offers this traditional temple food.
Buddhists in Korea are cent per cent Vegan as their faith forbids taking some one's life. Interestingly they prepare their food without five pungent herbs :
Onion/Scallions/Leaks, garlic,Allium, Asafoetida and Chives
as they believe that these herbs stir mind thus distract practitioners of the faith. Temple Food restaurants are a kind of novelty in urban Korea something like a Dhaba in Indian cities. There food serving will remind you our rural way of eating. Thus, the accoutrements ; floor sitting, bowls made from the woods of zelkova tree (The tree has its significance in Zen Buddhism.) large metal bells in a central courtyard, and entry only after removing shoes !
A typical temple meal begins with a bowl of pumpkin poridge, a serving of Kimchi, a portion of Yam wrapped in seaweed, acorn jelly...
And it is followed by main dishes. The waiter will lay down a bamboo container at the center of table and surrounds it with 11 kind of Kimchi. thereafter an array of dishes prepared with forest and mountain vegetables- mostly seasoned with sesame oil or soy sauce. this followed by bowl of rice with a piquant bamboo shoot stew.
Temple Food Restaurants have interesting desserts, sweet patato chips, potato fritters, lotus roots chips, honey drizzled rice puffs, shots of chilled cinnamon tea, a delicious digestive, so sweet. It is hard to believe no sugar is stirred in it.
The best part about this temple serving is made of ingredients which have medicinal properties.
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