balwoo gongyang course menus overview
Nestled in the heart of Seoul's Jongno District, Balwoo Gongyang invites you to embark on an exquisite culinary journey through authentic Korean Buddhist temple cuisine. Each of their thoughtfully composed course menus highlights a delicate balance of traditional flavors and carefully selected seasonal ingredients, tailored for visitors seeking a serene and reflective dining experience.
starters
The meal begins with a comforting millet porridge, setting a nourishing and gentle tone. Fresh vegetables paired with cilantro deliver a crisp and aromatic freshness, awakening the palate as an ideal introduction to the courses ahead.
mains
At the core of Balwoo Gongyang’s offerings are their four signature course menus — Seon, Won, Maeum, and Hee — each providing a unique meditative dining experience through a series of thoughtfully curated dishes.
- Seon Course: Enjoy wholesome millet porridge, vibrant vegetables with cilantro, deep-fried mushrooms in chili pepper paste, refreshing cold buckwheat noodles adorned with shiitake mushrooms, and sticky rice delicately wrapped in lotus leaf. The meal is rounded out by soybean paste soup, traditional rice cakes, and soothing tea.
- Won Course: Featuring the same rich array of millet porridge, vegetables with cilantro, and mouthwatering deep-fried mushrooms in chili pepper paste, this course also offers cold buckwheat noodles with shiitake mushrooms, lotus leaf-wrapped sticky rice, soybean paste soup, rice cakes, and tea for a harmonious taste of temple tradition.
- Maeum Course: This elevated menu continues to showcase the signature millet porridge and cilantro-infused vegetables alongside the signature deep-fried mushrooms in chili paste. Complemented by cold buckwheat noodles with shiitake mushrooms, sticky rice in lotus leaf, soybean paste soup, rice cakes, and tea, it offers a fuller, more enriching experience.
- Hee Course: The most comprehensive selection, the Hee Course brings together millet porridge, fresh vegetables with cilantro, deep-fried mushrooms in chili pepper paste, cold buckwheat noodles with shiitake mushrooms, sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaf, soybean paste soup, rice cakes, and tea, delivering a profound and delicate harmony of textures and flavors.
desserts and drinks
Each course concludes with a selection of traditional rice cakes, offering a subtly sweet finish that pays homage to Korean culinary heritage. Complementing the courses is a calming cup of tea, perfect for savoring the meditative atmosphere and cleansing the palate.
specials and unique features
Balwoo Gongyang offers a tranquil dining setting with private rooms that emphasize calm and privacy, ideal for reflective diners and food enthusiasts eager to explore vegetarian and Buddhist temple cuisine. The menu is purely vegetarian and carefully crafted to exclude ingredients like garlic, meat, and fish, delivering a unique and authentic taste experience that is both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition.
