Home

Download

Benefits

Seoul

Asia

South Korea

Nestled in the heart of Jongno District, Balwoo Gongyang is a renowned vegetarian restaurant in Seoul, South Korea, celebrated for its authentic Buddhist temple cuisine. Located at 71 Gyeonji-dong, this unique dining establishment offers a serene atmosphere, perfect for those seeking a peaceful culinary experience. With a focus on vegetarian food, Balwoo Gongyang provides a multi-course meal that showcases the delicate flavors and artistry of traditional Korean dishes.

Balwoo Gongyang specializes in a variety of vegetarian dishes that are not only delicious but also visually stunning. Here are some highlights of the dining experience:

Authentic Buddhist vegetarian cuisine made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Multi-course meals that highlight traditional Korean flavors.

Private dining rooms that enhance the tranquil dining experience.

A menu that caters to both lunch and dinner, with a focus on vegetarian options.

Conveniently situated in Jongno District, Balwoo Gongyang is surrounded by several notable attractions, making it an ideal stop for both locals and tourists. Nearby landmarks include:

Jogyesa Temple, a significant Buddhist temple in Seoul.

Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the Five Grand Palaces.

Insadong, known for its traditional Korean culture and art.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURyMDlXOGNnEAE&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJZ276eMKifDURdE2GGx2MTrE/reviews/ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURyMDlXOGNnEAE

A great joint to visit in Seoul. Great for vegetarians. Each table is set in separate room with great privacy.  The ambience is quiet and peaceful. Highly recommended.

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUREcGRMbHRBRRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJZ276eMKifDURdE2GGx2MTrE/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUREcGRMbHRBRRAB

This is the most authentic vegetarian restaurant in Korea. Each and every piece is touched with sincerity. It was very delicious^^

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUR1dmJ1dG5BRRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJZ276eMKifDURdE2GGx2MTrE/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUR1dmJ1dG5BRRAB

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...?

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNod0phMm93RRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJZ276eMKifDURdE2GGx2MTrE/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNod0phMm93RRAB

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!

https://www.google.com/local/review/rap/report?postId=ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUQ5LUtlUV9BRRAB&d=17924085&t=1

places/ChIJZ276eMKifDURdE2GGx2MTrE/reviews/ChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUQ5LUtlUV9BRRAB

We had high expectation of the place but we’re a little disappointed with the service. The service timing was too rush to fully enjoy the flavours of the food. Halfway through our meal, we were told that they close at 2.50pm and we have 20mins left for our entree 2 and desserts, so they will be served together. When the last two courses were served, we were told that they close in 10mins, hinting that we got to finish everything in 10mins. While they did explain to us during the booking, the time allocated for each serving is way too rush for people to enjoy the food. It doesn’t feel like fine dining towards the end, but military style dining were you just chuck food down your throats. That was rather disappointing. A couple commented that the time was too rushed and the staff explained that they did explain and share about the time during the booking process. However, we felt that it is not about the timing. We paid KRW70,000 to enjoy food, not to swallow food. This time may be more suitable for the cheaper menus with less dishes.

We expected this place to be much better since it once had Michelin star.

Discover Balwoo Gongyang: Vegan Fine Dining in Seoul

Balwoo Gongyang is a culinary gem in Seoul's Jongno District, offering a unique dining experience rooted in Buddhist temple cuisine. The restaurant features a serene atmosphere and meticulously prepared dishes that celebrate seasonal ingredients, making it a sanctuary for the senses.

Balwoo Gongyang

Savor exquisite temple cuisine at Balwoo Gongyang in Jongno, Seoul. Immerse yourself in culinary tranquility today!

Discover Balwoo Gongyang: Vegan Fine Dining in Seoul

Dining & Culinary Delights

Location & Nearby Attractions

Nakwon

Hanok Tea House

KOTTON.SEOUL