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Mountain Food in the Middle of Seoul

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  • Published Aug 16, 2007 6:19 pm KST
  • Updated Aug 16, 2007 6:19 pm KST

By Lee Hwan-hee

Staff Reporter

Sanchon, meaning "mountain village," boasts vegetarian dishes made from all-natural ingredients. The restaurant is located in the heart of Insa-dong, which is primarily known for antique shops and foreign tourists. If you're not acquainted with the area, it is advisable that you bring along someone who is, for to get there is immensely confusing, albeit in a delightful way, stroll through a tangle of narrow alleyways packed with shops, restaurants, and people.

Sanchon is in a trendy and famous part of Insa-dong, with its menu proudly incorporating a copy of a New York Times review from the 1980s. But it is not at all a trendy-looking place. It is a traditional Korean building that incorporates elements of Korean Buddhist temples, such as wooden columns and floors and stone steps. It is a cozy, if a bit spare-looking, place. Likewise, the menu has only two choices: lunch at 19,800 Won or dinner at 35,200 Won.