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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
beckettthedog
Points +272
AMAZING - Edit
My lunch at Sanchon was an amazing culinary experience. A set full course, consisting of nineteen different varieties of delicious food, is served beautifully in an intimate and relaxing space. The geotjeori and the stew were particularly tasty.
Read moreWhile there is no entertainment provided at lunch time the price is significantly lower.
The menu provides English translation and a copy of their New York Times’ review. Some staff members speak English.
Guest
veggieisland
Points +93
Yikes, overpriced...it was Okay - Edit
We went for the night performance which was entertaining. The location and decorations in the restaurant were quite breathtaking as well.
Read moreWITH THAT SAID, you don't get nearly enough food for the amount of money that you pay and the food was just Okay.
It was a good one-time experience but I won't be going back.
Pros: vegan, entertainment
Guest
vegan herbivore
Points +213
One of the Great Vegetarian Restaurant Experiences - Edit
What a fabulous experience! The restaurant itself is beautiful and endlessly fascinating -- dozens of nooks and crannies to explore and enjoy, all with an indoor/outdoor feel and temple/antique collector gone wild look. The food is super abundant. I think the negative reviews were due to the fact that this is not comfort food -- far from it, but truly healthy, earthy, authentic Korean food, not adapted to Western palates. The help seems austere, but in fact, if you are friendly, the staff is also friendly, and if you are needful of anything, the staff will in fact accommodate. The evening show is also not to Western taste, but is authentic and wonderful. Note that this restaurant is very hard to find. The pine needle liquor is awesome.
Read morePros: Unique, Beautiful, Authentic
Cons: Expensive, Hard to find, Staff is austere
Guest
vixtrola
Points +23
Beautiful - Edit
We loved this restaurant for the food and for the ambience. As a shellfish allergic traveler it was nice for me to be able to enjoy kimchi for the first time, and my partner who had eaten the non-vegan versions said it was one of her favorites. This place felt special. They have a house made plum wine that I wish I could have taken with me.
Read morePros: Ambiance., Service. , Great food and a lot of it.
Cons: None.
Guest
semichi
Points +25
Overrated, not worth it! - Edit
I'm very disappointed by Sanchon. They raised their lunch price from 22,000 won to 33,000 won just because they're famous. Their food was neither fresh nor delicious. Only their environment and pine liquor pre-meal drink are worth checking out. The overall procedure and experience was too superficial.
Read moreIf you're going for real delicious temple food, I highly recommend going to "Han Gwa Chae" instead, a nearby lo-fi and warm vegan buffet that is totally underrated.
Updated from previous review on Sunday August 11, 2013
Pros: traditional vibe, good liquor
Cons: expensive, bad value, food was not fresh at all, hard to find
Guest
BradenPollock
Points +629
Outstanding! - Edit
I have no idea why a couple people panned the restaurant. This place was incredible. Be sure to go hungry as it's a pre-fix menu. There are two rounds of appetizers (about 20 items) and then the main course which consists of another 20 items. Thankfully, dessert was just one item plus tea (albeit, the third tea). The price is $33 per person (no tipping in Korea) and well worth it. The ambiance is fantastic too. Be prepared to sit on the heated floor to eat your meal (there are also standard table and chairs).
Read moreGuest
DonPedro
Points +331
I don't recommend to go for the food - Edit
The food was an experience, but not so much of an enjoyable experience. If you go, go for the show (which by the way only lasts for half an hour).
Read morePros: dance show
Cons: price, very special food
Guest
Pitaya
Points +1341
Real experience - Edit
I had a set dinner menu at this restaurant while they were having the traditional dance show. I did not even order, they just brought the huge amount of dishes included in the set menu. It is really expensive, but the overall experience was unique.
Read moreFood is very original temple food, and I don't think all the people like the food. It has extraordinary flavours and consistencies.
Restaurant is beautifully decorated traditional house, but it is quite hard to find. I think it's not totally correctly marked on the map. It is at the ultimate end of one of the Insadong's side streets.
Pros: Originality, Experience, Aesthetics
Cons: Food even too strange, Hard to find, Expensive
Guest
mfoy
Points +193
Great ambiance - great food - Edit
We visited the restaurant for dinner while in Seoul in Aug 2010. It is a fixed course vegan meal, you just sit down, and food starts to come. Nice place right in the heart of the Insadong area. It is about mid way between the two ends of Insadong Street. In Aug 2010, Sanchon had a type of "health food store" right on Insadong - and the sign said temple food. To get to the restaurant, you followed the little alley right next to the health food store all the way back. The food is very good, and you get many courses. There is also live entertainment on certain nights. We did not ever go for lunch, but the lunch prices were lower (so that is a good choice if you want to experience this place, but don't want to spend about 34,000WON on dinner - I think lunch was about 22,000WON).
Read morePros: Ambiance, Location, Delicious food
Guest
tbonesf
Points +98
Once in a lifetime dinning experience - Edit
I've been a vegan for over two years now and besides the kimchi, i have no clue what i was eating. I got the lunch special, which was about 15-20 bowls of small servings of mostly root vegetables and root based soups. Amazing flavor.
Read moreThe waiter server everything in almost kind of a ceremonial vibe. The decor was magical.
The other reviews are correct, the place is a little tricky to find. If you can get to the famous Insa-Dong shopping street, you're pretty much there. Totally worth the adventure. You won't be disappointed.
Pros: Experience, Food, Setting
Cons: A small adventure to find.
Guest
al30sh
Points +114
Vegan Feast Like None Other! - Edit
This is one of those can't miss restaurants! It may have been the best vegan feast I've ever had. They do a fixed price meal in a beautiful courtyard teahouse, serve small portions of over 20 different items from sweet lotus to hearty miso soup, cooked greens 8 different ways, to vegetable pancakes, various types of kim chee, lots of mushroom dishes... it is absolutely delicious, healthy, and the whole experience is a major delight for the eyes and stomach.
Read morePros: Very special experience, Huge amt of variety, Setting is lovely
Cons: Staff spoke little english
Guest
backpasher
Points +161
Amazing - Edit
We absolutely adored this place. It was 39000won and there was a LOT of food, but it was super tasty and we were able to polish it off between us - only just though!
Read moreOur set menu was comprised of dishes from fried sea-weed to a tofu-mushroom hot-pot, tempura, veggie Kim-Chee and various other delicious dishes.
Staff were friendly and we enjoyed the traditional dance performance after dinner.
Guest
veganqwert
Points +41
Only go if you are HUNGRY! :) - Edit
As others have said, you get a LOT of food. Menus are set. They are set for a minimum of two people, so they really prefer you do not dine alone, although I have been accommodated once in the past.
Read moreThe setting is beautiful, the atmosphere is very peaceful, and the staff is very friendly and kind.
If you can't find it easily with the directions provided, go to the information center in Insa-dong and ask there.
It's well worth any time spent looking for it and well worth the price. Bring your camera to take a picture of the layout of food you'll be getting or no one will every believe you when you try to describe it later.
Pros: delicious, spacious, lots of food
Cons: can be hard to find, not so good for solitary diners
Guest
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