Having read about Sanchon in my guidebook and also based on a recommendation from fellow travellers, I decided to eat there even though I’m not a huge fan of vegetarian food. But I thought, hey, after all that crap I was eating up, some greens couldn’t hurt.
The restaurant is located in a small lane that’s branches off from Insadong-gil, the tourist-filled street. Sanchon serves Korean temple food and the food served is seasonal. The restaurant was started by a man named Kim Yon Shik who came to know the food during his years as a Buddhist monk.


You first step into the shop, selling dried goods like tea leaves and dried mushrooms. These are stuff that the restaurant uses in its food.


Sanchon’s dining area is filled with low tables and lovely lotus-shaped lanterns.


For those who prefer sitting at tables, there are a few tables with chairs available. But I still think one should go the traditional Korean way, i.e sit on the floor, unless of course you can’t sit on the floor for medical reasons!
My friend and I went for the lunch menu as it’s better than going for dinner. The lunch set costs 22,000 won. I felt like a grazing cow throughout the meal ‘cos there are so many types of greens served. I’ve never eaten so much vegetables in one sitting!
Here are some dishes we had:


Porridge of the Season

Watery plain kimchi






Such a pretty basket! But oh, notice those little dishes at the side of this basket.







Fried kelp


Jap-chae (Korean potato starch noodles)


Jelly


Dessert came in the form of the teok rice cakes and some sweet tea.
The food in Sanchon is healthy and tasty, though it was way too much for me and my friend – we only managed to eat about 2/3 of the food served. It’s a great place to have a leisurely lunch without the guilt of having overindulged in unhealthy food!
Sanchon
Jongno-gu, Gwanhoon-dong 14, Seoul
Tel: 82 (0)2 735 0312 / (0)2 733 0709
Open: 12pm to 10pm
Subway: Anguk station (Line 3)