Photo gallery: S. Korea 'temple cuisine' feeds body and soul
South Korean Buddhist monk Jeokmun (left) teaching his techniques to a dozen students at his Sudoksa temple in Pyeongtaek City, about 60km south of Seoul. A centuries-old tradition of Buddhist cuisine, with strict bars on foods linked to lust or anger, is enjoying a revival in South Korea, one of Asia's most high-stress societies. -- PHOTO: AFP
A mushroom casserole is placed on the table during a cooking class at his Sudoksa temple in Pyeongtaek City, about 60km south of Seoul. A centuries-old tradition of Buddhist cuisine, with strict bars on foods linked to lust or anger, is enjoying a revival in South Korea, one of Asia's most high-stress societies. -- PHOTO: AFP
South Korean Buddhist monk Jeokmun speaking during an interview with AFP at his Sudoksa temple in Pyeongtaek City, about 60km south of Seoul. A centuries-old tradition of Buddhist cuisine, with strict bars on foods linked to lust or anger, is enjoying a revival in South Korea, one of Asia's most high-stress societies. -- PHOTO: AFP
Radish kimchi is presented after a cooking class at South Korean Buddhist monk Jeokmun's Sudoksa temple in Pyeongtaek City, about 60km south of Seoul. A centuries-old tradition of Buddhist cuisine, with strict bars on foods linked to lust or anger, is enjoying a revival in South Korea, one of Asia's most high-stress societies. -- PHOTO: AFP
South Korean Buddhist monk Jeokmun during his cooking class at his Sudoksa temple in Pyeongtaek City, about 60 kilometers (38 miles) south of Seoul. A centuries-old tradition of Buddhist cuisine, with strict bars on foods linked to lust or anger, is enjoying a revival in South Korea, one of Asia's most high-stress societies. -- PHOTO: AFP
(Anti-clockwise from bottom right) Tofu sauteed in plum sauce, mushroom casserole, noodles mixed in chilli sauce and vegetables and radish kimchi, presented after a cooking class at South Korean Buddhist monk Jeokmun's Sudoksa temple in Pyeongtaek City, about 60km south of Seoul. A centuries-old tradition of Buddhist cuisine, with strict bars on foods linked to lust or anger, is enjoying a revival in South Korea, one of Asia's most high-stress societies. -- PHOTO: AFP
A centuries-old tradition of Buddhist cuisine, with strict bars on foods linked to lust or anger, is enjoying a revival in South Korea, one of Asia’s most high-stress societies.
“Temple food,” as it is generally known, is moving out of the temples and monasteries and into mainstream restaurant culture, attracting a loyal following for its deceptive simplicity and health-giving properties.












