Balwoo Gongyang

Vegetarian restaurant · 가회동

Balwoo Gongyang

Vegetarian restaurant · 가회동

3

71 Gyeonji-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

Photos

Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by Photo courtesy of Korean Tourism Organization NY
Balwoo Gongyang by ELLE
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null
Balwoo Gongyang by null

Highlights

Upscale Buddhist temple restaurant offering refined vegetarian cuisine  

Featured in Afar
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71 Gyeonji-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea Get directions

balwoo.or.kr
@balwoogongyang_official

$$$

Information

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71 Gyeonji-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea Get directions

+82 2 733 2081
balwoo.or.kr
@balwoogongyang_official

$$$

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Last updated

Sep 6, 2025

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@afar

"In a country where much of the cuisine involves things like barbecued meat and shrimp paste, vegetarians can find solace at Buddhist temple restaurants, where the food focuses on healthy, compassionate cooking methods. Dishes are simple yet sophisticated, often incorporating local mountain ingredients like wild greens, herbs, roots, and vegetables. In Seoul, there are several of these spots near the Jogyesa Temple in Insadong. Balwoo Gongyang, which just earned a Michelin star, is an upscale choice, offering a multicourse menu of dumplings, stews, steamed veggies, kimchi, tofu, and savory pancakes."

The Best Restaurants in Seoul
View Postcard for Balwoogongyang
@ellemagazine

"Try the: Gamja-boribab."

Laura Kim's Guide To Seoul
View Postcard for Balwoogongyang
@afar

The Best Places to Eat in Seoul, According to a Local Chef - AFAR

"A temple-food restaurant that excludes meat and alcohol, offering a serene, refined dining experience centered on vegetal preparations and a soothing pine-needle tea. Service is notably soft and attentive—almost monastic—and staff are skilled at explaining the menu in English, making it suitable for hosting important guests." - Hyunhee Lee

https://www.afar.com/magazine/a-pastry-chef-dishes-about-her-favorite-spots-and-sweets-in-seoul
View Postcard for Balwoo Gongyang

Angela Ling

Google
Wow. Thank you for such a beautiful experience 🙏 The dishes, although small, were full of natural flavours, incredible textures and you could tell they had been prepared with care. We left so full and satisfied, both from the food and the experience. Highly recommend and would love to come back next time we visit!

AT “Moby3”

Google
I’ve longed wanted to try, but I must say it’s probably not our type of food when we did, so it’s more us than the restaurant. We saw many happy campers when we left. One thing though, I’d preferred more flavors as each passing course got a little too similar and monotonous for us. So hope you’ll take this feedback constructively, or not. Have a good one! 🙏

Adina Calnan

Google
They have two lunch sittings, we booked for 1:30 pm (the other was 11:30). We were taken to a private room and presented menus and warm tea. There are several meal options and each person has to order a meal. The food was delicious, varied in texture and flavor. Definitely a wonderful experience.

A L

Google
course meals are served at 2 time slots for lunch 1130am and 1.30pm. i went at 12pm and was informed there is available slot at 1.30pm. 3 course sets available, 1 of which needs to be pre-ordered. meals are served in private rooms. there is a variety of vegetarian entrees, dishes and mains served including seasonal vegetables. good quality. though the portion of each dish is small, with the number of dishes served, i was very full by the end of the meal. worth the experience. most dishes are cold and naturally flavoured. highly recommended if you want to experience quality refined korean vegetarian food

Samat Jain

Google
Extremely thoughtfully and well prepared. Sets are mostly the same, with higher price points including more and fancier dishes. I was able to dine without reservation though they are required, walking in at 1:30p on a Monday.

Sesame Sprinkles

Google
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...?

Girish Nair

Google
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.

Jay Lee

Google
I had a great experience in this restaurant. If you looking for excitement or spectacle show case of Korean cuisine, this is not for you. There are many Korean restaurants have a much tastier foods with half of that price. This restaurant said this is the place to learn to appreciate the food and nature we can afford(something like that) and they recommend even eating less is the better(what!?) I guess an eating is important part of training buddism in Korea so you can expect what you can get here! I was happy to be in this restaurant and I feel I experienced something more than just good food…