Buddhist Temple Food in Sanchon, Insadong!

산촌 - Sanchon

서울특별시 종로구 관훈동 14

14 Gwanhun-dong,

Jongno-gu, Seoul, SOUTH KOREA

google map// naver map

www.sanchon.com

Open from 11:30am - 10:00PM

Lunch Set: 33,000 won 

After my computer breaking down twice in a row... I fell behind in posting photos for things I've done in Seoul, that and life was rather hectic for a while. Although now that I have my mac back, I should dig through the photos and post the ones that did matter (like paragliding and my very first lunar new year in Seoul!).

Anyhow, last weekend I met up with my friend in Seoul to go try "Buddhist Temple Food" after listening to him moan about lack of vegetarian/healthy food options in Seoul. The restaurant is hidden within the maze that is Insadong... so I highly recommend making sure where it is before visiting.

They have fixed lunch sets and dinner sets. It is definitely not cheap but the whole atmosphere and the food is worth it for a special occasion. I think the dinner set was around 60,000 - 70,000 won and the dinner set includes a traditional dance performance (free of charge).

 I wish the lighting had been better so that I can take better photos (I really need to get a move on to buy a camera...) but you can at least get a glimpse of these lovely lotus shaped lanterns and the simple wooden furnitures. The best part (that you can't see through the photos) are the heated floors! They are simply divine.... who would've thought having warm butt whilst eating could be such a delight :)

Unlike other restaurants in Seoul, the ambiance is really relaxed here and the food/service is slow so if you are in need of a quick lunch this is DEFINITELY not the place. I on the other hand, enjoyed the lack of attention given to us, and the slow paced serving that helped us digest the enormous amount of food that was coming.

 Always start light with a cup of tea ;)

Then came the entrée of non-translatable food.. (note: the english translation of Korean food leaves most of the people more confused and slightly disturbed to try them...) Lots of it were Korean roots, vegetables and a bowl of sweet pumpkin porridge.

 Then came the Korean Pancakes and what I think was dduk (korean rice cake), which was rather tasty but a little oil for my liking.

After our pancakes we were already starting to feel quite full... when we were told that now our "main meal" will be served. To our delight/horror, our server began to lay out literally 20 or so dishes filling the tables completely with food... as if we were just "starting" our lunch. 

None of the dishes themselves specially 'stand out' or is 'extra-ordinary'. But I guess that is besides the point of Buddhist Temple food. All the food in their simplicity and 'humbleness' came together to form a great representation of what Korean food is about. Aside from the bold flavours that seem to dominate the korean food and culture, there is also an alternate side to Korean food that should also be embraced and remembered!

Overall, it was a delight spending 2 hours or so slowly making our way through Korean Buddhist Temple food. It's definitely a place to take someone new to the country to let them sample some of the less famous Korean food that are traditionally eaten at home. All the while getting enough peace and quiet to finally have a long chat without disruptions in this busy busy busy city. 

 After finishing our meal, we were so stuffed that we could barely keep our eyes open... talk about a food coma. ... so as a last minute plan to at least attempt to keep our figures -we decided to take advantage of the first blue sky in weeks and take a walk up to the Namsan Tower!

What a city eh? 

Weekend Brunch at Herbivores

Herbivores

33 Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong

Rating: 7.5/10 
Price: Around 100-150 HKD for a late-Benedict lunch

There's bee a great deal of posts and hype about this new vegetarian restaurant in Soho these last few weeks! I can't remember there being such an interest (even if it is amongst the international community) in vegetarian dining or even healthy-dining in Hong Kong 3 years ago when I first came!

In fact I was rather depressed and horrified at the distinct lack of healthy options.. but now it seems to be a new one opening every month or so!

Anyhow, I've been eyeing this new restaurant for weeks, but not being wise enough to make reservations ahead of time.. It had always been full during the lunch hours.

My friend and I had planned to go to La Cantoche for lunch, but sadly it was closed for lunch that day... :(

So, we quickly walked our way back up to Central to find a rather empty Herbivores open for late-weekend brunch! 

After great effort to not go for another Benedict, we both chose Grilled Halloumi Toast with Eggs!

I had not thought I would ever get Halloumi cheese in Hong Kong!

The portions were small-ish (not a big hearty brunch)

but the grilled cheese and the scrambled eggs were cooked brilliantly with just the right amount of seasoning for a healthy light brunch :)

Despite it being 'fresh' and 'light' it did leave me a little hungry, and plus brunches are nothing if not for their lovely and guilty indulgences...
   I had thought the dessert would be some sort of muesli or yogurt.... but instead it was a delectable tin full of slightly frozen chocolate mouse.

I usually don't like the texture of chocolate mouse, but because it was slightly frozen it was as if it was an wonderfully soft choclate-y and delightfully velvet-y chocolate ice-cream..

Both of us loved the brunch and especially the dessert... I mean who can say no to chocolate? 

Feeling slightly guilty (as one should after a brunch)

we decided to walk to Barista Jam for a cup of coffee and a little eye-shopping to walk off the indulgence and return home for dinner.

:

Southern Indian Treat at Woodlands

Woodlands 

 UG 16- 17 Wing On Department Store, Tsim Tsa Tsui East (MTR exit P1) 

Rating: 8/10 
Price: Under 100 HKD (left us extremely full!)

It's been roughly 2 years since my numerous Indian friends stressed the BIG difference between northern Indian food I usually eat and the mysterious southern indian food.. but they always seemed reluctant to promise that I would love it. It always ended with "it's really different... but it's really good! But.. i'm not sure if you'll like it".

Well that and whatever other reasons (one other being lack of meat :p) , I had waited too long to visit this simply amazing institution, yes an institution, hidden in the myriad of TST.

Dragging along two first-timers as well, we entered this small resturant where there seemed to be a distinct lack of non-indians and english-speakers. It was as if we had walked into a local restaurant in India, and for a moment feeling absolutely displaced we almost contemplated walking back out.

Despite the mini-scare, we eventually got seated down and then was confronted with the next issue of deciphering the menu

Everything was in English... but at the same time it wasn't...for we had no idea of what the foods were! After prolonged and rather embarassing 5-10minutes of gawking at the menu, the waiter finally intervened and ordered for us!

And... after having absolutely no idea what we ordered... we were in for the best treat ever.
All of us loving meat we were rather skeptical about the distinct lack of it... but soon we all agreed that if we could eat these meals everyday, there was no reason to miss meat at all.

If I were to be a vegetarian, I would be a vegetarian in India.

Dahi Batatapuri (5/5)

See what I mean?  WE had no idea what we were eating... but this was my FAVORITE dish today! According to the internet:

"Dahi batata puri, an arrangement of tiny, crisp puris amidst a mélange of potatoes, ragda, and a topping of miscellaneous chutneys and beaten curds!"

The mysterious dressing on top of the crisp 'puris' was the best dressing I had ever tasted! It was light, lemony and somehow reminded me of the Fried-Chicken Dressing in Korea! It was just beautiful...

We were already won over by the appetizer... but then imagine our surprise when this gigantic dosa (crepe) appeared on our table together with over 10 choices of curry-dips(?)

Paper Masala Dosa (4/5)

With potatoes inside and cruncy crispy paper-thin Dosa (fermented crepe). This dish was as fun to look at, poke at, giggle about then break apart to be eaten ferociously by 3 starving girls!

Woodlands Special Thali (4/5)

End Verdict: Will definitely return ASAP! :)