To be blunt, their 6-course meal was not Michelin worthy. As someone who had been going to their lunch buffet for many years up until their recent close-down, I was extremely disappointed and unimpressed by the whole dining experience. Service, particularly, was horrendous as we had a first-day server who eventually got changed midway through the meal. Taste-wise the only edible dish was their signature deep fried mushroom, which has been there since the good ole buffet days. Knowing their track record from my history with them I’d like to give them another chance but maybe later in the far future.

The food at this restaurant was excellent. Even something as plain as a tomato salad with sesame seeds was surprisingly flavorful, owing to them using good ingredients to begin with. Other dishes were innovative and aesthetically pleasing. However, after visiting the restaurant on four occasions and ordering the cheapest option on the menu (lunch for 30.000 KRW, dinner for 45.000 KRW), each time we left still feeling somewhat hungry after a multi-course meal... The interior is neat and simple and guests are seated inside individual rooms to enjoy food in a quiet, private atmosphere. After all, this location is certainly suitable for eating out on a special occasion. Perhaps one of the more expensive course menus will be more filling...?

I have the most exquisite fine vegetarian dining experience in this restaurant. The interiors makes one feel at peace in contrast with the city hustle. The chef expertly retains the natural taste of the ingredients. Truly a 1 Michelin Star dining experience.

What a tourist trap and total rip off! All the dishes are mass produced, tasted bland (I know it’s temple food but I can sense that this is not whole heartedly made.) Service is robotic and speedy. It feels like canteen food served in a private room. It’s ridiculous that the meal costs 65,000 won per person.

Having seen some of the negative reviews, I was hesistant. However this resto was on my buckets list for 5 years, popped up in a recent article and I decided I must try it. I wanted to know what Buddhist food tasted like. (The resto is on the top floor of a building dedicated to buddhist causes.) Without a reservation, I walked in and they seated me in a room by myself. I choose the middle of the 3 lunches at the price of 45,000. The first dishes that came out were ok. The smallest like an amuse bouche size was interesting. Pat juk is never my favourite and yes is a bit bland. But I still appreciated it’s traditional and pure taste. Next 3 dishes stepped it up. I was surprised I enjoyed their version of chapchae noodles. The spicy mushroom dish was tasty and while I usually refrain from fried foods, I devoured the pan fried wrap of veggies. Next highlights for me was trying their natural version of sweetened radish danmooji, and the pan fried korean cabbage leaf. Utterly delicious! I loved the homemade mushroom mandoo dumpling and the chewy fried mushrooms! How could they come up with a mushroom that was fun to eat! The texture was lovely to chew. I was not a fan of their bibimnaengmyun spicy noodle. It was too sweet for me. Last dishes came out and I was shocked. They made a vegan version of meeyuk seaweed soup that had umami and tasted delicious. I couldn’t stop eating. I loved their grain rice as well. I admit, I am not a fan of vegan kimchi and while this is probably the best vegan kimchi I have tasted, it still didn’t make the mark for me. I need that salted shrimp and garlic boost from regular kimchi. The meal finished with a small dessert and tea. I was happily satiated. I would definitely come here again. But to others, I would give a caution. This is Buddhist temple food, and they do not use many ingredients like garlic, meat, fish, etc. So come here to explore this unique and delicate taste and keep this in mind as you review it. It’s a lot of food and I packed whatever I could not finish in my stainless steel takeaway box and ended up eating it for dinner. Also make reservations - I just happened to get lucky!

Upon arriving Templestay Information Center, proceed to Level 5 to reach Balwoo Gongyang. Meal is served in private room, and they have ten rooms. For lunch they do two table turnarounds, either 11:30 or 13:30. Have 4 prix fixe menu and two of them needs to be pre-ordered couple of days before. So we had the MAEUM course. Nothing fancy but it was enjoyable seasonal produce and tasty too. It was good to soothe jet-belly especially on the day of arrival. The most memorable was the savoury deep-fried mushrooms coated with pepper paste. Quite a good intro approach to temple food. Service was brisk and straightforward.

What a dining experience. Highly recommended!

5 to 10 min walk from Anguk Subway Station Exit 6 / entrance of Insadong Shopping Street, opposite Jogyesa Temple. The first temple food restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star! Reservations are required. You are given a private room with closed doors. However there isn't a bell to call the staff, so there is quite a lot of guess-timation involved between you and the staff about when the previous item should be cleared and the next item should be served. To be honest, I didn't find most of the dishes particularly outstanding compared to the other Korean temple food I have eaten so far. Also found the encounter witht he staff somewhat unpleasant and rude... However it was an interesting experience, and perhaps it depends on whether you are in the right calm and meditative state of mind. The Joy of Meditation Seon 6 Course lunch set is the most affordable (Allium-free. 30,000 won); there are other sets with more courses and higher prices. The autumn menu I had featured the following: Suljuksim (Lip-Moisturizer) - Gaeul-gwa-il & gwa-il cheong (Seasonal fruits with fruit extract) Juksang (Porridge) - Hyeonmi-danhobakjuk & Deodeok mul-kimchi (Sweet pumpkin and brown rice porridge & root vegetable watery kimchi) Sangmi (Entree One) - Doenjang sauce-ma-gui (Pan-fried Korean yam with fermented bean paste sauce) - Muchae-dubu-jjim (Steamed tofu topped with julienne raddish) - Yeon-geun-beoseot-hokeum (Stir-fried lotus root and mushrooms) Dammi (Entree Two) - Modeum-beoseot-gangjeong (Deep-fried assorted mushrooms coated with chilli pepper paste) Youmi (Medicinal Meal) - Goguma-hab (Sweet potato rice) - Gae-feol-kuk (Soybean paste soup with seasonal ingredients) - Namul (Two kinds of vegetable side dishes) - Sachal-kimchi (Two kinds of temple-style kimchi) - Sachal-jangajji (Temple-style pickled vegetable) Ibgasim (Dessert) - Yeonip-cha (Lotus leaf tea) - Dasik (Traditional Korean pressed cookie)

Wow. Speechless. I was mistaken as one of the waiters when I visited this place....simply because I am bald. ㅋㅋㅋ

Temple food has a sensitivity in presentation and taste in it that makes it very different from other Korean food. Often you’ll see a very familiar dish but it is prepared in an altogether more holistically delicate way. Great lunch meal At a convenient location.

This was my second time experiencing authentic Buddhist cuisine and my first time dining in a Michelin star restaurant. The restaurant is ideally located, easy to find and minimally decorated. It has a number of small rooms where patrons dine depending on the size of the group. The food itself was very mild and didn’t stop coming. In that sense you really do get your money’s worth. A solid 4 stars from me.

(Translated by Google) You were so kind from the guide. It was good for me to explain one of the foods at mealtime. I thought the food was weak, but it was delicious. It was room type which became partition and was able to eat quietly quietly. (Original) 안내해주시는 분부터 너무 친절 하셨고요 식사할때 음식 하나 하난 설명해 주셔서 참 좋았어요 음식이 간이 약할줄 알았는데 그렇지 않고 맛있었습니다. 칸막이가 되어있는 룸타입 이어서 조용하고 오붓하게 식사 할 수 있어 좋았습니다.

Visited the week after the birthday of the Buddha, so decorations were still up, but there were no crowds. Very beautiful.

I had a great experience in this restaurant. If you looking for excitement or spectacle show case of Korean cuisine, this is not for you. There are many Korean restaurants have a much tastier foods with half of that price. This restaurant said this is the place to learn to appreciate the food and nature we can afford(something like that) and they recommend even eating less is the better(what!?) I guess an eating is important part of training buddism in Korea so you can expect what you can get here! I was happy to be in this restaurant and I feel I experienced something more than just good food…

I recommend trying it. 1 Michelin star, but only 40$ for the tasting menu.

One of the best temple food ever! Free wifi. Little expensive but quality food. Make sure to make a reservation first. Highly recommend!

Amazing place to try Korean temple food (you may have seen documentaries of Jeong Kwan who belongs to the same sect of Buddhism). The sets are affordable and the dishes are so beautifully cooked and well balanced, really displaying the full qualities of each vegetable. They also won a Michelin star a few years back. Their last seating in the afternoon is at 1:30 so make sure you got before then. Highly recommend it!

Amazing flavors snd textures. I particularly liked the mushrooms with chili. They made me reconsider mushrooms. The set dinner was a special experience trying temple food. The teas were flavorful as well, particularly the pine tea.

(Translated by Google) I ate a healthy nutrition food that was delicious enough to eat. (Original) 먹을만큼 정갈하게 맛깔난 엄청맛있게 건강영양식 먹었습니다

(Translated by Google) Come here when the meat gets tired (Original) 고기가 질리면 여기로오라

Temple food. Ideal for the vegan and vegetarians like me. Was tasty as well... They've been a Michelin star restaurant for three consecutive years.... Goes without saying, it comes with some mettle.

Reserve beforehand. Nice multi course meal that is filling without being stuffed. Exquisite and elegantly presented and flavoured. Only thing was it may be a communication issue, but felt staff serving us was a little rude at times. Also, I wanted to order the basic set for myself and the extended full set for my husband as there are a few items I liked in the basic set menu and it was not possible cos they said it was hard for them to serve tho I said I did not mind not eating same pace as him. So it was kinda a bummer that I was forced to choose something I wasn’t so keen on.

You might leave still hungry, but totally worth it for the flavor, ambiance and michelin star!

Just note that the hours listed on Google are wrong, their kitchen closes at 8pm (but definitely get there much before — I was there at 7:45 and it was still closed). The service personnel who spoke to me was thankfully English speaking, but was also unfathomably rude when I wanted to clarify hours so that I could help others not waste a trip and could plan accordingly. Dear management, this was a person on a Thursday evening closing shift. She raised her voice at me and was derisive and defensive (I.e. I simply asked when kitchen closes versus what’s on Google, she said “8, 8:30” and I pointed out that it was 7:45 so just wanted to clarify what was the usual protocol). The other staff I spoke to when I wanted to write this update, they were perfectly nice and understanding. So I don’t know what’s going on there and I’m sure she’s just doing her job (she refused to give me her name). But surely a place under the auspices of Buddhism and temple etiquette, it should be better? I have just finished 2 days stay at a temple, and was looking forward to peaceful dinner, not rudeness. All things are lessons!

발우공양. Genuine good food with pure ingredients- somewhat overpriced though. But always want to go back. Take a stroll to JoGyeSah temple across the restaurant after the meal.

(Translated by Google) This is a course dish. The staff kindly explains the food and it tastes good^^ (Original) 코스요리입니다.직원분이 친절하게 음식에 대해 설명하고 맛도 있네요^^

Beautifully presented, delicious and nutritious temple cuisine. BYOB with a reasonable corkage fee.

(Translated by Google) It tastes like Balwoo Gongyang (Original) 발우공양 맛나요

(Translated by Google) Temple food restaurant There is a room, so it is a safe zone. The taste of clean temple food is good. (Original) 사찰음식 전문점 룸이 있어서 코로나 그나마 안전 지대. 정갈한 사찰음식들이 주는 풍미가 좋다

Michelin star restaurant serving temple food (I believe everything is vegan). Very unique and puts a modern twist to traditional Korea food. The waiters are very friendly and they can speak English. A bit more expensive since it is a tasting menu but definitely worth a try!

(Translated by Google) It’s true well-being in harmony with nature. It tastes like the nature that smokes at an urban price (Original) 자연과 어우러지는 진정한 웰빙이네요 도시스러운 가격 담배한 자연에 맛이네요

(Translated by Google) Recommended if you want to eat healthy! (Original) 건강하게 먹고 싶다면 추천드립니다!

Food is excellent but whole experience is great. They use traditional Korean traditional sauces from old heritage temples. I couldn’t believe that vegetarian food can be so flavorful and diverse 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

새로운 맛과 식감을 즐길 수 있고, 정말 깔끔하다. 조용하지만 묵직하고 확실한 음식 본연의 맛을 느낄 수 있도록 해주는 음식. 직원들도 친절하고 메뉴설명도 자세히 해주셨음.

What a place to go eat. You can experience some of the very best traditional temple food. The service is top notch and the care for the food environment is palpable. You can taste the care and love in the food. The rice wrapped in the lotus leaf is a particular favorite of mine. Make sure you make a reservation.

The guys english was very good I dont know one single word of korean

We enjoyed the Korea temple food though some dishes were better than others. This visit was in November 2019.

Fantastic food and experience. Went for the 1:30 lunch sitting and was running late but was still a gracious welcome and was not rushed. All dishes hit the spot but the crispy marinated mushrooms were my favorite. I will go back many more times. Buddha Style

One of the stalwarts of Korean temple cuisine, and the restaurant was also awarded a Michelin star. The dishes are vegetarian and some were actually very flavorful, and was actually very fulfilling after the multi course dinner. Definitely worth an experience in the path to enlightenment.

I arrived when the restaurant was open and didn't have a reservation, and I was seated in a small private room almost immediately. Briefly looked over the menu then ordered, and was poured complimentary tea which happened throughout the meal. Every time the food was presented the staff would tell me what each one was, which was very welcome. Every dish was delicious and flavorful, with some tastes I'd never experienced. As I finished each course it only took a minute or two for the next one to be brought out. I was there for about an hour and a half total, it was an amazing experience and great price. I look forward to visiting again in the future.

We had a family lunch here and really fell in love with the food. The ingredients were so fresh and the sauces were not too strong; neither too salty nor too sweet. The food was served at the speed where we could enjoy our meal with conversation. The staffs were kind and welcoming. We had the lunch course and would love to try other courses in the future. They also change the menu every season which gives another reason to go back. Highly recommended even for the meat lovers.

Thoughtful diet, healthy foods with comparatively high rates

(Translated by Google) Temple food in Seoul (Original) 서울에서 접하는 사찰음식

(Translated by Google) If you want to experience temple food, it is a must. The cheapest course is 30,000 won per person, but what is the sense of emptyness after eating ...? It's a pity (Original) 사찰음식을 체험하고 싶다면 들를만합니다. 가장 저렴한 코스가 인당 3만원인데, 먹고나면 뭔가 느껴지는 허전함은...? 가성비는 아쉽네요

(Translated by Google) The food is going to be overwhelming. It's really me (Original) 음식에 호불호가 갈릴듯. 진짜 절음식이에요

(Translated by Google) I like the simple temple food~^^ (Original) 담백한 사찰음식 좋으네요~^^

(Translated by Google) The Michelin star restaurant is not a very luxurious interior, but a neat place with a very ordinary interior. The food is cooked without using meat (garlic, green onion, leek, sooty, and soy) and meat, and the food is served at an appropriate rate for each course, so it is good to enjoy conversation and eat. I think it would be a very good place to treat vegetarians and foreigners. However, it is somewhat questionable whether it tastes like a Michelin star restaurant. (Original) 미쉐린 스타 레스토랑이라고 해서 엄청 고급스런 인테리어는 아니고 아주 평범한 인테리어의 깔끔한 곳 입니다. 음식은 오신채(마늘, 파, 부추, 달래, 아위)와 고기류를 쓰지않고 요리하고, 음식은 코스별로 적당한 속도로 서비스 되니 대화를 즐기며 식사하기 좋습니다. 특히 채식주의자 나 외국분들 대접하기에 아주 좋은 곳이 아닐까 싶습니다. 다만, 미쉐린스타 레스토랑에 들 정도의 맛인지에 대해서는 다소 의문 입니다.

(Translated by Google) Value for money was not good. For dinner, I ate the original meal and the heart meal. Porridge and Dongchimi are served as appetizers, followed by dishes that are eaten together. So far, it was pretty fresh and good, but the next two courses were the food that came out in a prize (the convenience of the serving person was good...) and the simplicity of the food (too strong or weak). It is good to cook using various herbs, but it was a pity that I didn't feel like trying to preserve the original taste. (Original) 가격대비 가성비가 별로였습니다. 저녁으로 원식과 마음식을 먹었습니다. 에피타이져로 죽과 동치미 등이 나오고 다음으로 다같이 먹는 요리가 나옵니다. 여기까지는 꽤 신선하고 좋았습니다만, 그다음 두가지 코스가 상으로 음식이 나오는 것과(서빙하시는 분의 편의성은 좋겠지만...) 음식의 간이(너무 세거나 약했습니다) 별로였습니다. 여러가지 나물을 써서 요리하는 건 좋지만 본연의 맛을 살리기 위해 노력한 느낌이 없어서 아쉬웠습니다...

(Translated by Google) It was more disappointing than I thought. (Original) 생각 보다 실망이었음.

(Translated by Google) I'm hungry. The taste is also boring (Original) 배고파요. 맛도 심심해요

(Translated by Google) It's delicious. (Original) 맛있네요.

(Translated by Google) It is a temple restaurant with a slightly different menu composition every season. Parking is machine parking and you have to get the parking ticket stamped. (Original) 계절마다 메뉴구성이 조금 바뀌는 사찰음식점입니다. 주차는 기계주차이고 주차권에 도장받아가셔야 합니다.

(Translated by Google) It's an important place, but hahaha Well, it’s a healthy diet and comes out after eating little by little (as much as a chick's tears?) If not, pass (Original) 중요한 자리라 잡았지만 ㅎㅎㅎ 뭐 건강식이고 조금씩 먹고나면 나오고(병아리 눈물만큼?) 죽을만하지 않으면 ㅎㅎㅎ 패스

요리마다 설명 잘해주시고 사찰음식이라 역시 정갈하고 맛있습니다. 곡차생각은 전혀 안나더군요...

Great experience to try out Korean temple cuisine. All private room dining with awesome service. They prepare different courses by season so the dishes in my photos are available only in the summer. In this meat-loving city, this restaurant is one the best options for vegetarian/vegan. As they do not serve alcohol, I recommend BYOB. (20,000KRW for corkage)

Make an appointment before you go. Unfortunately we had late lunch and can only get an early dinner appointment. So we could hardly finish the third course onwards. Fortunately we brought our own bags and could bring home leftovers for lunch the next day. The premise does not provide take away containers.

The taste was very foreign. I never taste korean food that taste like this. Unless you want something really blend, i dont recommed this restaurant.

A great place to enjoy quality food that focuses on the humble taste of fresh ingredients and mindful eating.

Temple food : One should shows gratitude toward the devotion during the process of cooking and preparation

Good for Vegetarians

Peaceful oasis in the midst of bustling Seoul. The restaurant is on the top floor of a nuilding devoted to buddhism and temple food. You are shown to your own private room to enjoy a set menu of vegan delights (there are 4 differeng menu choices). Not cheap, but definitely worth the experience.

(Translated by Google) That person ate'm huisik 95,000 won It was delicious and good The man who explains the food is alone with me. How was this food made, who did it and where did it go I was cooking Wasnt lacked Other Michelin restaurant was warm. I did And it's a little bit more expensive than the priced food. But quiet atmosphere delicious tea foods seasoning free food (Original) 그 희식 먹었구요 일인당 9만5천원 맛있고 좋았는데 음식 설명해주시는분이 남자분 혼자이신지 다른분은 좀 부족하드라구요 뭐 이 음식의 재료는 어떻게 만들어졌고 누가 어디서 했고 그래서 이걸 어떻게 요리했고 그런게 부족했습니다 다른 미슐랭 레스토랑인 가온은 그랬거든요 그리고 가격이 나온 음식에 비해서 조오금 비쌉니다. 하지만 조용한 분위기 맛있는 차 음식들 조미료 없는 음식들 좋아요

(Translated by Google) It was delicious (Original) 맛있었어요

Must try. Sutile perfect taste. The food just express itself in your mouth.

Special meal. When you finish meal, you can go to the temple take a walk . Temple is in the opposite of the restaurant.

(Translated by Google) I felt the temple food in the middle of Seoul as the name of Balwoo Gongyang. The course was served as well as the explanation of the serving. However, there are not a lot of side dishes and meals. Oh, please note that meal time is limited to 2 hours. (Original) 발우공양이란 이름처럼 사찰음식을 서울시내 한복판에서 느껴보았습니다. 코스식으로 제공하며 서빙하시는분의 설명까지 만족스러웠습니다. 다만 반찬,식사양은 많지않아 많이드시는분은 어떠실지 모르겠네요. 아, 식사시간은 2시간으로 제한되있는점 참고하세용

(Translated by Google) I really enjoyed the meal. I think it's good for vegan. I ate food but I was too full. It's a temple food. (Original) 잘 먹었습니다. 비건에겐 좋은것 같아요.마음식 먹었는데 너무 배불렀다 사찰음식이니 맛으로 먹자는 생각은 안하고 먹었다 그냥 경험 해봤다는데 의미를 갖자 그리고 미슐랭 스타 레스토랑에서 먹었다는데 의미를 갖자

Was very excited to try out the temple food and was it not disappoint.The restaurant is opposite Jogyesa Temple and a stone's throw from our hotel. Some dishes were outstanding and some were average. But liked their way of bringing out the subtle flavors of fruits and veggies with very few spices and garnishings. Some of the items like kimchi and Melon salad was super good. Very nice experience though little expensive at $45 per person. It was a seven course meal and each course had multiple items. They do have different highly priced menus with more elaborate menus for higher prices too. But we could not have eaten anything more. In fact, we could not finish the rice in our meal itself. Service can be improved. Each party has a private room for lunch/dinner. All in all a great dining experience

(Translated by Google) Clean and healthy taste (Original) 깔끔하고 건강한 맛

(Translated by Google) The food is temple food, but the interior is just It is an ordinary restaurant. The atmosphere was a bit disappointing. The quality of the food is made from natural ingredients, so it's not burdensome and it's not irritating because it uses non-chemical seasoning. If someone buys you, you can go back. (Original) 음식은 사찰음식인데 인테리어는 그냥 평범한 식당이라 . 다소 분위기가 아쉬웠다. 음식의 수준은 자연의 재료를 쓴 요리라 위에 부담이 없고 무화학조미를 쓰니 자극적이지 않아서 .건강을 생각하는 분들에겐 추천! 누가 사준다면 다시 갈수있다

(Translated by Google) It's a healthy food made carefully from natural ingredients that are good for vegetarians and indigestion. (Original) 채식주의자,소화불량인 분들께 좋은 자연에서 얻은 식재료로 정성스럽게 만든 건강한 음식이더군요.

or leftovers. literally the look and taste of whatever served to us. temple food? perhaps food of a monk of a very poor temple in ancient times. my wife tasted most and left them untouched again. a scam with a bitter aftertaste.

(Translated by Google) Compared to five years ago, the food tastes good. I'm not coming back. (Original) 5년전에 비해 음식이 맛도 그렇고..별로 였어요. 재방문은 안 할듯요.

Provides a great opportunity to not only experience Buddhist temple food but to also learn the meat free lifestyle.

(Translated by Google) Food to feel for yourself (Original) 직접느껴봐야할 음식

We were looking forward to trying this restaurant and were excited by the prospect of sampling temple food with a Michelin Star. Unfortunately I have to say it was really quite disappointing.I think a lot of it is probably down to how it’s served. The final few savoury courses are all served together on a tray with no recommendations on what might be best to eat first. Which sadly means you end up with cold greasy offerings.Apart from a lot of chilli in some of the dishes most of it just tasted bland.The service was nice and I quite liked the quirkiness of having a little side room to ourselves for a change.I really wanted to love it here, but sadly I think it was probably the least interesting meal of our 2 week stay in Korea.

When my cook stay at Baekyangsa Temple fell through due to Chuseok , I was crushed.Then I learned about Balwoo Gongyang in the heart of Seoul. While it is not the experience of a temple cookstay, it IS superb temple food. We secured our lunch reservation before leaving for Korea.We were warmly greeted and taken to our private room.We ordered the "middle" menu for 45,000. Each dish was a joy to the eyes and taste buds. I am VERY grateful to have had this experience and recommend it to all who love food and serenity.