Sanchon (Mountain Village)-Pig out like a Buddhist monk.

Seoul, Korea

This restaurant/tourist destination (trap) is definitely worth checking out if you have 40 US dollars to splurge on a dinner. It doesnt sound like much in dollars but to a typical Korean, that's a pricey dinner.

This place is run by a Buddhist monk. The prix fixe menu is strictly veg and centers around the 7 greens brought out in a woven platter. The food contains no spices that are considered stimulants such as garlic or green onions.

It's a pretty elaborate set-up with around 17 dishes.
The diners are seated around a small performance area and every night at 8pm, there is a show of Buddhist dancing and drumming. This actually seemed like a contradiction to me cuz drumming and dancing seem a lot more exciting than garlic....

        


To find SANCHON, get off on the JONGGAK exit on the subway line and walk to Insa-dong. Then look for the obnoxious black and white sign where SANCHON was featured in a New York Times article. Then walk down that alley and join the foreigners and the geriatrics at SANCHON.

P.S. My friend C tells me right next to this place is a old tea house that has birds flying around the courtyard and goldfish in the tables...
Thanks for the restaurant tips!