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Lacto
Korean
Panchan (side dishes), soups, vegetable dishes, traditional music & dance. Vegan except for a lassi drink. Started by a former monk. In Insadong area, mid way between the two ends of Insadong St, in a small street in between Insadong 8-Gil and Insadong 6-Gil adjacent to Insadong-gil. 고풍스럽고 자연친화적인 인테리어가 특색있는 한옥 구조의 사찰음식 전문점입니다. 온돌방에서 식사가 가능하며, 식사로 한정식 코스요리가 제공됩니다. 저녁에는 한국 전통 음악과 춤 공연을 즐길 수 있습니다. 가격은 점심코스 33,000원, 저녁코스 45,000원 입니다(17년 3월 기준). NOTE: Reported that caged birds are on site. Open Mon-Sun 11:30am-10:00pm.
148 Reviews
First Review by veganqwert
Mrs_Z
Points +236
Not for solo diners - Edit
Sadly I was turned away in a rather rude and unpleasant manner as I am travelling solo. While I have full understanding some restaurants prefer to have more than one person occupying a table, I would really have appreciated a kind and polite approach to letting me know.
Read moreCons: Not for solo dining
Guest
SteveH
Points +20435
Decent if ignore past reputation - Edit
While I always knew SanChon was there I never went because it felt like a tourist place and the set lunch is quite large for 1 person. After reading a few reviews of people unhappy that it is "not as good as it used to be" I decided to go review it from a 1st timers perspective.
Read moreThe layout is well decorated but additions to dining area dont match other areas. Felt a bit like an annex. Regardless, it was a nice dining space.
The food was only "ok", not great but nothing was bad. Honestly, expected more but that is the problem with expectations. If this was a no-name temple food inspired place I would give it 4 stars without hesitation. So I will give SanChon the same.
Service was fine... overall lunch felt like just another lunch. Nothing memorable but a solid vegan meal and I left full. Lunch set was 29,000
Updated: brought a big group here for dinner and the food and service were below average. Maybe just an off night for them but nobody in our group enjoyed the dinner.
Updated from previous review on 2022-01-13
Guest
oceansidehs
Points +84
Hidden templecooking place - Edit
They have only 1 menu but this is really good. Should be fully vegan. Can only recommend it.
Read morePros: Vegan Menu
Cons: Lot of food and no flexibility
Guest
뚜안.杨
Points +735
Not for everyone, Good experience - Edit
Temple food is definitely lighter in taste. Presentation is beautiful and you will definitely visit the toilet well after such food.
Read moreI find it healthy and light. If you looking for savory food, this is not your place.
But if you are looking for a clean and healthy lunch or dinner. Here's the place for you.
Service is great too!!
Guest
krissysch
Points +2491
Nice experience - Edit
This was a really nice experience, since it was our first temple food and it was really exciting to try all the different dishes. You get a set menumade of 4 courses (2 starters, 1 main dish,1 dessert), Team and some alcoholic drink (not sure what it was, sorry). The interior is really nice and the food is arranged pretty nice, too. We weren't a fan of all food, but that's just our personal taste, the quality in general was really good. The women who brought the dishes were really nice, although they didn't speak english we felt very welcomed by them. The owner seemed to be a bit cold when showing us our table and walking around, which made the atmosphere a bit strange. The food itself is a lot, so come very hungry.
Read morePros: A lot of food
Cons: Not the best atmosphere
Guest
Fosefine
Points +98
Amazing food, you need to try it - Edit
This place was amazing. Located in a gallery, I was even lucky enough to listen to a pianist during my stay. The menu is fix, it’s a lot and worth the 29000WON. So many different dishes to try 🤩
Read morePros: Delicious food , Gallery vibe, Fix menu
Guest
NikoPW
Points +73
Enorme despliegue de comida - Edit
Si te lo puedes permitir, la verdad es una experiencia, con sabores que como persona occidental no estoy acostumbrado.
Read moreEs un menú cerrado de como 20 platos.
Pros: Cuando fui todo era vegano., Pruebas como 20 platos de una., El sitio.
Cons: Es bastante dinero, 29000W (Menú cerrado)
Guest
RiceRiot
Points +322
Sheeeesh - Edit
A multi course meal costs about 29.000 won per person. You get a lot of food to choose from and everything is vegan 👍👍👍
Read moreReally tastes like temple food, but I still prefer the original from the temple😋
The location is a little bit hidden but the venue is sooo nice, there were trees, birds, an art gallery and even a pianist haha
Very good experience, would go there again, although little bit pricey and premium.
Updated from previous review on 2022-09-21
Pros: Big meal, Nice venue, Staff speaks English
Cons: 29.000 per meal
Guest
MioMauser
Points +430
definitely an experience - Edit
the atmosphere is reaally nice with lots of plants everywhere and during our meal someone started playing the piano! Most of the food was really good and unique, I especially loved the different drinks that come with each course. However, we just came back from a temple stay and I must say I loved the food there a lot more and also paid a lot less. The waiter was a bit rough, I wouldnt say rude but I would also not say friendly. All in all a memorable experience, but I think I will stick with temple food at actual temples !
Read morePros: big menu, nice atmosphere
Cons: expensive
Guest
PowerVeggie
Points +1321
Vegetarian friendly meal - Edit
This was my first time trying temple food. I imagined it being simple in taste but it was actually pretty delicious. They do mention using onion and garlic in their food but if you’re not a big fan they can remove it as well.
Read moreThe menu is a set full course meal but I saw options for bibimbap (비빔밥) and another dish as well. If you go there with someone you have to order two sets. You cannot order one and split it. The staff speaks English.
My favorite dish had to be the pancake and this appetizer dish that was covered with a grass green seaweed looking thing (sorry I don’t know the name). The drinks were great as well. There were two kinds of tea (one for dessert and one for during the meal) and a fermented drink.
The ambiance is great and very calming. I would definitely want to go back here and try the other dishes. It looked like they were also going to open a cafe soon so I would definitely try that.
Guest
Neeeon
Points +353
Really interesting - Edit
It was very nice to be able to taste so many different types of dishes. There's a set menu, so no choices regarding the food, but the menu was more than enough and I think almost anyone would find dishes that they like within that menu. The plating was pleasing to the eye and the food tasted good, natural, and fresh. I liked most dishes, but some were maybe a bit too mild for my taste, since I like food with a lot of flavour and umami. Also, the waiters seemed a little bit rushed in bringing out the food, and seemed to be a bit flustered when we hadn't finished the first dishes within a certain time. It could've been us that misunderstood something, of course. It was really nice to be able to experience this type of food anyways. There was also live music being played on the piano, which felt luxurious to be able to enjoy while eating.
Read morePros: So different many dishes , Live music, Traditional food
Cons: A little bit rushed in the beginning
Guest
asdeshmukh
Points +59
Nice ambiance - Edit
Set course, nice presentation. Meal arrives in a series of beautifully displayed courses. Very unique experience. Some items, especially the namul in the banchan dishes were ordinary. The fermented pine tea was special! Live piano music in the background
Read morePros: All vegetarian , Lots of small dishes , Reasonable price
Guest
Mari4
Points +918
One of the best meals I’ve had - Edit
Do not miss this place! I wish I could eat here every day.
Read moreGuest
joel
Points +89
One of the best meals I've had - Edit
This was one of the best meals I've had in my life. Each of the 30+ dishes on the set menu celebrated the ingredients in special ways. It is worth travelling to Seoul again to visit
Read moreGuest
SamParkes
Points +59
Great experience! - Edit
This was the Korean dining experience we've been waiting for. Amazing atmosphere and wonderful food. So glad we came!
Read moreGuest
PedroBeltrao
Points +2344
5* Experience - Edit
I'm giving this 5 stars not exactly for the food, but mostly for the whole experience. When I visited you would be greeted by someone at the door, and led inside to the meal room where you'd sit on the floors (from the most recent reviews, it seems this is not the case anymore) and you would be served an totally different meal from what us westerners are used to. So many small fishes that come in a sequence and are placed in the table in a very nice and presentable way.
Read moreThe food itself was OK, some small plates were very nice and tasty, some were to "slimy" for me, and there was a couple of greens that I remember saying "this is way too wild, tastes like the woods", which was interesting.
They also served me a Pine Wine (which I didn't even knot was a thing until that moment) that was also quite nice.
Overall it was a very very nice experience that I would recommend everyone to do at least once in a lifetime.
Pros: Very unique experience
Guest
PeachyKeen
Points +131
A must do experience!! - Edit
If you can eat at only one place in Seoul , you should definitely come eat here! I was cautious based on past reviews, but before being seated I asked the owner if everything could be made vegan for me, and he reassured me everything was okay for me to eat, and there was also the full menu listed at the table to add reassurance. Everyone was so friendly! The server walked me through the menu, and the food was INCREDIBLE! I've never had so much delicious food at once! If you love the fresh vegetable side of veganism vs the faux meat side, THIS is the experience for you! It was also the only place where I was able to have Nurungji (scorched rice), which was awesome to experience. Absolutely wonderful, 10/10!
Read moreGuest
Veganfoodie_liv
Points +1375
Great experience and interesting flavors - Edit
My non-vegan friends accompanied me to an incredible Buddhist temple food experience and loved it!! The atmosphere was amazing and the waiter explained each dish to us.
Read morePros: Full vegan, Great atmosphere , Wonderful experience
Guest
lokalvegan
Points +1675
Great experience - Edit
Though some reviews say this place is no longer good, my experience was great and the restaurant was full of local people on that day. Nothing to complain about. The food was decent and interesting.
Read moreGuest
KadiHarmon
Points +10047
Amazing Place! - Edit
Beautiful location in the heart of Insadong. Set menu with several delicious courses, all vegan except for a dairy lassi drink that is served at the end. I so wish they would offer a soy or coconut based option! But regardless, this is a fantastic place. Open air and has an art gallery and sometimes live piano music. Highly recommend.
Read moreGuest
bongbong733
Points +14530
This used to be 5 stars... - Edit
This used to be one of my favorite places and the location I'd suggest to all visitors of Seoul. But it has drastically changed in the last two years...
Read moreNot only did they rearrange the seating so that there are only modern tables with chairs and no more musical performances during dinner time. They have also significantly changed some menu items...
Now, the dessert for the full lunch course is dairy yogurt, and they don't provide a vegan alternative.
I am also not sure, whether the kimchi is vegetarian any more, it seemed like a standard kimchi with garlic and the fishy smell.
On top of that, it is now possible to order separate dishes, one of them being snail salad (골뱅이무침)!
Regardless of that, the plant-based dishes are still good. Their classic vegetable sides, rice and soup are a nice example of Korean cooking. Healthy and filling.
So it's not the exotic and pure temple food you used to expect. Sometimes, they serve dishes featuring garlic. And now, they obviously use ingredients that are not completely animal-free.
The location itself is a large space and it has an exotic atmosphere, but it has become colder and more modern. Half of the restaurant is now an art gallery, and they have a piano playing live music in the background.
Pros: Good food
Cons: Not 100% vegan anymore
Guest
Korolius
Points +176
A while ago but still memorable - Edit
We've been there in 2019 (just forgot to post)
Read moreIt was soooo good, every dish was prepared very delicious. Sure, it was much to eat, but luckily my friend and i are good eaters😄
Its a great experience, but maybe a little expensive...
Updated from previous review on 2021-10-07
Cons: Expensive (in relation to other korean vegan food)
Guest
Mealeva
Points +1296
Totally lost its touch and purpose - Edit
First time i went there, it was almost ten year ago and it was simple and really good. We appreciated the concept. Somehow it changed and for me, it is now just a restaurant that put much in the presentation of their dishes but has lost their authenticity and heart. Dishes aren't as good as before, many are even bad. The staffs are not like before, they seem stressed and are very nonchalant. They serve you fast and clean before you even finish. As someone has mentioned in here, it is not fully vegan like so many think. In all, i went there 5 times, to show to my vegan friends who heard about it but I will never go back.
Read morePros: Interesting settings , Unique experience
Cons: Nonchalant staffs , Prices
Guest
KitMcGrath
Points +270
Great atmosphere - Edit
Delicious food and great atmosphere right in Seoul. The staff is very friendly.
Read moreDanimalPanda
::: Quick heads up for vegans planning on visiting, in case you read the first review :::
Read moreTLDR: THIS RESTAURANT IS NOT FULLY VEGAN.
DETAILS: Make sure you tell the host that you are vegan and specify you cannot eat anything from animals, not even dairy/eggs/etc. I drank a lassi dessert and felt queasy afterward. Called later as if an interested patron and just casually asked what they had for dessert that day, and then asked if it was made from dairy. They confirmed it is indeed dairy-based yoghurt shared by their Pakistani chef, and people who are vegan can simply choose not to drink it. The problem is they will bring it out to you anyway, so it is wasted animal product because of you unless you specify beforehand that you are vegan. So don't go here assuming it is a fully vegan restaurant because it is listed as such on Happy Cow as of 13 June 2021, it is not vegan and maybe vegetarian at best. Still a nice ambience, but they don't know that they are listed on Happy Cow as vegan.
Guest
MiniMina
Points +265
Good for the experience - Edit
The location is very nice. We went for dinner time with people visiting Korea for the first time. They enjoyed the food and the show. As a resident, I thought it was not bad, but the dinner felt rushed. They always served the food before we were done with the previous dishes. Large quantities. Interesting menu but the staff was not able to describe what was on the plate.
Read moreCons: Expensive
Guest
RachelTouchet
Points +198
Pricey but worth it ! - Edit
The decor, the food and the ambiance ... everything is perfect ! The lunch(33W) is cheaper than dinner(45W) but you’ll see a performance if you come for diner.
Read moreSurprising new flavors and deliciousness at each bite.
Pros: Great quantities , Amazing taste, Dreamy decor
Guest
HannaBanana
Points +894
Healthy temple food - Edit
Typical Korean templerestaurant. It was an amazing experience for me, even though the main menu wasn't exactly my taste.
Read moreStartes were really good!
The waiter explained every meal.
I've been to temple restaurants before, but this one was different than the others
Pros: All vegan, Friendly staff, Healthy food
Cons: Way too much food
Guest
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