If there's one thing Suncheon takes seriously, it's temple food

Suncheon, a city in South Jeolla, has been promoting itself as a food destination to visit this fall for both locals and visitors looking for a satisfying tabletop of food which they don't usually get to see.

A tabletop filled with vegetables cooked using recipes from nearby temples in Sunchoen, South Jeolla, home to Seonam Temple, one of the Sansa (Korean Buddhist mountain temples) registered as a Unesco World Heritage site. [LIETTO]

Suncheon, a city in South Jeolla, has been promoting itself as a food destination to visit this fall for both locals and visitors looking for a satisfying tabletop of food which they don’t usually get to see.

Out of many different options, the city is especially known for its temple food, which is vegetarian. This is because of the many temples in Suncheon, including Seonam Temple, which was inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage site as one of the Sansa, or Korea’s Buddhist mountain temples, in 2018.

The fall season is especially popular for many who want to kill two birds with one visit, thanks to the food on offer as well as the gorgeous scenery. The leaves turning color makes a great backdrop while you enjoy your lunch table filled with vegetable dishes cooked in different ways at restaurants located close to the mountainous area.

A bridge to Seonam Temple in Suncheon, South Jeolla. [LIETTO]

Burdock roots, perilla leaves, lotus roots and balloon flower roots are just some of the ingredients that are used at these restaurants, and they are either steamed and marinated or pickled.

It is usually around 25,000 won ($22) per person for a full meal with roughly a dozen banchan, assorted dishes accompanying Korean staple rice and soup, and more affordable options are available for a simpler setting for around 9,000 won per person.

BY LEE SUN-MIN [summerlee@joongang.co.kr]