In 2017, Jeong Kwan introduced the world to Korean temple food on the popular Netflix show, Chef’s Table . But the initiative to educate tourists about Korea’s version of healthy gourmet started 15 years earlier. In 2002, South Korea launched its Templestay programmes, which have become a successful tourism initiative. These have been operated by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism to show visitors what life is like as a monk or nun. Jeong Kwan continues to teach visitors as well, but protests she is not a typical chef. “I’m not a chef but a nun,” she says, adding that she uses food to practise Buddhism. “Temple food” – as its name suggests – is eaten by monks and nuns in temples. But in Korean Buddhism, this reference may come up a bit short. Here, temple food is considered one of the ways to exercise Buddhist teachings, including growing the ingredients that are used to make dishes. View this post on Instagram Later in the day, we were provided with a cooking demonstration and lunch by the one and only Jeong Kwan, a Zen buddhist nun of the temple who is revered all over the world for her cooking. She was popularized recently by the show Chef's Table (Season 3, Episode 1) on Netflix. Highly recommend watching it! She has a personal translator now due to the high volume of tourists who visit her now. _ Baekyangsa Temple 백양사, Jangseong (Aug 2017) #cityfoodsters_seoul #cityfoodsters_baekyangsa _ #baekyangsatemple #visitsouthkorea #백양사 A post shared by City FoodstersGrace ⌁ Jason (@cityfoodsters) on Aug 21, 2018 at 11:31am PDT Why this Korean YouTuber’s vegan videos are all the rage This particular cuisine excludes the use of meat, fish and any artificial flavour enhancers because they are thought to hinder spiritual practise and boost energy, and may also obstruct meditation. There are also five pungent, wild herbs called oshinchae – spring onion, garlic, leek, chive and wild chive – that are forbidden in cooking because they are considered to be aphrodisiacs, and the purpose of this cuisine is to avoid any foods that create desire. They use only seasonal vegetables, as well as soybean paste and soy sauce that are home-made at the temples. The reason is to pay tribute to their reverence for all living things and to live in harmony with nature. If a quick cooking class isn’t enough for you, the aforementioned Templestay programmes may be a more satisfying experience. There are 137 participating temples across the country, with some allowing you the opportunity to cook your own temple food dishes. View this post on Instagram The temple is absolutely gorgeous. We spent the first day participating in some temple activities with meditation. During our free time, we walked around and enjoyed the peace. ️ _ Baekyangsa Temple 백양사, Jangseong (Aug 2017) #cityfoodsters_seoul #cityfoodsters_baekyangsa _ #baekyangsatemple #visitsouthkorea #백양사 A post shared by City FoodstersGrace ⌁ Jason (@cityfoodsters) on Aug 20, 2018 at 1:54pm PDT Where to eat vegan food from around the world in Hong Kong You may get the chance to cook with Jeong Kwan if you decide to stay at Baekyangsa Temple where she practises. Founded during the reign of Baekjae King Mu (600BC to 641BC), the temple is known as a Seon Centre (meaning “Zen”). View this post on Instagram 진관사 사찰음식 #진관사 #북한산 #jingwansatemple #koreatemplefood A post shared by @ azure_kr on Nov 24, 2015 at 3:20am PST Will vegan dairy alternatives be the ‘next Beyond Meat’ success story? Jingwansa Temple is another famous destination to learn about temple food. It lies to the west of Seoul and is one of four major temples around the capital city region. It neighbours Bukhansan National Park and features many cultural and historical properties. View this post on Instagram #southkorea #gyeonggido #namyangju #kwangleung #bongseonsa #temple #daewoongjeon #pray #bluesky #landscape #photographer #photography #photo #picture #sonyalpha #a99 #a77 #경기도 #남양주시 #광릉 #봉선사 #대웅전 #파란하늘 ㆍ국화가 만개한 하늘 좋은 어느날... A post shared by J.W.Zzang (@jaewoonee) on Jul 31, 2018 at 8:26pm PDT Today I learned how to make vegan mooncakes To learn how to make lotus leaf-wrapped steamed rice, Bongseonsa Temple is a good place to start. Located north of Seoul, the beautiful temple is situated on Unaksan Mountain, one of five major mountains in Korea. Access to the Unesco Biosphere Reserve area of Gwangneung Forest is exclusive to Templestay participants. View this post on Instagram Donghwasa Temple (동화사) -A temple on the south side of Palgongsan mountain built in 493 AD during the reign of King Soji #동화사 #대구 #한국 #korea #donghwasa A post shared by Hannen I حنين (@hannen_98) on Jul 25, 2019 at 4:53am PDT 5 apps that make it easy to follow a vegan diet For a more comprehensive teaching, Donghwasa Temple lets you create multiple temple food dishes. Built by Guekdal during Silla King Soji’s reign (493AD), the temple is located 22km northeast of Daegu, south of Palgongsan Mountain. View this post on Instagram #tbt do jednego z najlepszych posiłków w życiu. #seoul #templefood #koreanfood #templestay #balwoogongyang #vegan A post shared by Paulina Lis (@lisiepieklo) on Jul 25, 2019 at 11:25am PDT If you do not want to make the trek all the way to the temples to taste authentic temple food, the one Michelin star-restaurant Balwoo Gongyang (gongyang means “offering”) will sort you out. Want more stories like this? Sign up here . 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