Dae-Ahn Sunim I feel quite lucky these days because my good friend, Monk Dae-Ahn is an amazing person and amazing chef. She is a creative and logical person that is pushing the envelope of what is considered Vegan Cuisine. She is like Thomas Keller for she takes Korean favorites and adds her own spin on the dishes. She transformed pork cutlets into Kongkas: bean cutlets and the bean meat is absolutely...meaty. I mean I couldn't believe it wasn't meat. Her mushroom sauce on top is exquisite as well. Last week she started making kimbap: Korean vegetable rice rolls and these were the best rice rolls I have ever had. The vegetables were all delicious (and organic) and the rice she uses is a mix of brown rice, barley, and other grains (so it is healthy). It is a delicious snack and one that I will have to get the next time I need a snack.  Here is a mix of different rice rolls she has made. Balwoo Gongyang Kong (Located on the 2nd Floor of the Templestay building a...

I am editing photos for my story and here is one I am particularly proud of. Shot with a Panasonic DMC G-2 Camera with 20mm 1.7 lens with Gary Fong Puffer Diffuser. Shot in Raw and edited with iPhoto. Come take a cooking class or take a Culinary Tour in Seoul! http://www.ongofood.com Pictures are taken either with my Panasonic DMC-G2 Camera with 20mm Lens or with my iPhone 4G Join the Seoul Eats Facebook Group Page to keep to date with the latest events.

Balwoo Gosang These are some shots from my visit to Gosang. You can look for my review in the August Seoul Magazine. Now this restaurant is different from Balwoo Gongyang. The original can be found here at www.baru.or.kr Dan Gosang www.baru-gosang.com 02-6030-8995 서울 중구 수하동 67 센터원 빌딩 B2F

You might have read my last review about Balwoo Gongyang Kong. If not, you can find it here:  Balwoo Kong: Budget Vegan Temple Cuisine Review: 2 Stars I was a bit critical on service during my last visit. I am happy to announce that changes have been made and everything is much more efficient now. Wow. They have the little button things that'll ring when your food is ready and service is much nicer. The waitress was nice enough to bring me a complementary tea during my last visit. The food is delicious as usual and I have been back twice since my review. It is quickly becoming one of my regular haunts.

Review: 2 Stars: Recommended (Serving system needs an overhaul, food is good and not expensive, atmosphere is quaint) Who would have guessed that it would take a Buddhist Monk to rejuvenate Korean cuisine and make it popular to westerners and Koreans. Master Dae-Ahn of Balwoo restaurant is doing just that. The Jogeysa Order of Buddhist monks now has 3 restaurants in Seoul. Their flagship store Balwoo- across from Jogeysa temple is usually booked every day. I tried to get a reservation over the weekend and they told me that it was booked over a week ago. The one criticism that many people had about the Balwoo Restaurant on the 5th floor was the price. With meals starting at 25,000 a person- it's not a place you can eat at regularly. The humble monks realized this and then opened Balwoo Gongyang Kong on the 3rd floor of the same building. It is a Buddhist cafeteria style restaurant so it is self service but prices are modest (meals start at 6,000 won).  Oh, and you can only go up...

Here is a video of my visit to one of my visits to Balwoo Temple Cuisine Restaurant in Insadong (I love this place, so I've been there several times.) It's right across from Jogyesa Temple on the 6th Floor. Reservations are highly recommended and lunches start at 25,000 won per person. www.baru.or.kr Come take a cooking class or take a Culinary Tour in Seoul! http://www.ongofood.com Pictures are taken either with my Panasonic DMC-G2 Camera with 20mm Lens or with my iPhone 4G

I went to Balwoo the other day for lunch and I'll be writing more about it soon. Sorry, but with my schedule, there isn't a lot of time left for blogging. Here's a taste: Balwoo 02.2031.2081 Website: http://www.baru.or.kr 110-170 서울시 종로구 견지동 71번지 템플스테ㅣ 5층 71 Gyeonji-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-170 Directions: Near Anguk and Jonggak Stations, across from the big Jogyesa Temple in the Temple Stay Building, 5th floor. Balwoo Korean Temple Cuisine: Dodeok Salad with Citron Dressing Balwoo Korean Temple Cuisine: Corn Porridge Balwoo Korean Temple Cuisine:Black Rice Jeon, Nokdu Jeon, Gochujang Jeon Balwoo Korean Temple Cuisine: Mandu, Ssam, and Tofu Balwoo Korean Temple Cuisine: Shitake Tempura in a sour/sweet/spicy sauce