S. Korea 'temple cuisine' feeds body and soul
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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(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
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
PYEONGTAEK (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.
Among its most skilful practitioners - and ardent promoters - is a 54-year-old monk, Jeokmun, who has devoted several decades to refining what he sees as a meditative diet that feeds both soul and body.
At his modest Sudoksa temple in Pyeongtaek City, about 60km south of Seoul, Jeokmun teaches his techniques to an attentive class of a dozen students - mostly middle-aged housewives.
