TEMPLE FOOD

Korean temple food focuses on nature, emphasizing the use of natural ingredients. This includes various vegetables such as mushroom and cabbage. However, it excludes certain foods such as meat and even milk as they are produced by animals, and in order to eat meat one must first take (the animal's) life. Furthermore, there are five vegetables that are also prohibited: onions, garlic, chives, green onions and leeks. This is because these foods are thought to hinder the body's ability to find enlightenment through the tranquility of meditation. While this may seem to be a limited, somewhat tasteless diet, Korean temple food uses a variety of natural seasonings to enhance their flavor palette. These taste enhancers include sauces such as soy sauce, soybean paste, and red pepper paste and spices that come in the finely grounded forms of mushroom and kelp.