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We removed our shoes at the entrance and placed them in cubbies. Then the hostess led us through this spacious area to our table:
Sanchon serves a standard 20-dish meal for a reasonable 22,000W (about $15.20) at lunch. The menu varies according to season and revolves around Korean vegetables from the mountains or woods. We received a paper menu that listed the courses. The reverse side contained a New York Times article from 1986 about the place. According to the article, the owner was a Buddhist monk from age 14 to 32, where he learned the ins-and-outs of temple cooking.
(Photo courtesy of A.Z.)
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Anyway, back to our lunch:
Before I could remove my coat, a server placed several dishes on our table. The bowls were made of a reddish-brown wood from the zelkova tree. (Traditionally a Buddhist monk carries a set of wooden bowls.)
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The appetizer, lower left, was a porridge of barley and vegetables. It tasted mild and refreshing. The bowl on the right contained winter kimchi. The watery broth was deceiving; the contents were quite spicy. (For my tastes, anyway!) The little vermicelli wraps contained radish, mushrooms, peppers and other vegetables. A dipping sauce added flavor. We had unlimited tea for beverage.
Next came seven wild vegetables, each with their own seasonings. The center dish contained a mix of greens and tofu.
Then the servers brought a slew of dishes. At left, lettuce with a tasty dressing and, at right, kimchi. In the back, another kimchi that my friends loved (and I spit out!)
At top, a green vegetable that might have been cilantro. At left, a mildly sweetened mix of giant mushroom caps and a root vegetable. At right, a root that has been pounded and seasoned until edible.
At left, fried kelp. What a great source of iodine, among other nutrients. At right, seasoned mushrooms.
My friend served a stew of mushrooms, radish, and tofu.
Noodles at left and fried seasonal vegetable pancakes at right.
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6 comments:
Looks like one of your best food experiences!
What beautiful pictures! I doubt I'd try many of the foods though :)
Wow, so interesting! Buddhist vegetarian food from Vietnam is way different than what you ate in Korea. No kimchi that's for sure :) More like typical rice, savory veggies, mung bean dishes for protein, and probably not too much of a flavor shock for you as this 20-dish meal was! I try anything, but have never really acquired a taste for kimchi :)
Tram - Mung bean dishes sound interesting! I have not tried mung beans before. You do seem adventurous with your food choices!
Becky & Mom - Thanks for the compliments. Becky, you probably would not have even liked the rice! Seriously!
You forgot to mention about how you took a bite of something (sweet potato) and put it back on the communal plate! Your pictures turned about pretty good and you have a good memory! I thought the experience was worth it (plus the company :o)
Thanks a lot for reminding me, Sandy! At least I left the rest for you.
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