Korean buddhist temple nyc

It’s wonderful to hear that people all around the world are interested in Korean cuisine,” says Jeong Kwan. “I am extremely honored to receive the Icon Award… As you already know, I am a monk, not a trained chef. Voted for by more than 300 members of the Award’s academy, it celebrates culinary figures who have influenced and inspired others positively.

Most recently, she was the recipient of the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Icon Award in 2022. An entire episode of the popular Netflix series, “Chef’s Table,” was devoted to her. Her temple cooking has been endorsed by famed chef Éric Ripert of Le Bernardin in a 2015 New York Times profile written by food journalist Jeff Gordinier. Jeong Kwan – her Buddhist name – isn’t your average monk.

Jeong Kwan devoted herself to Buddhism when she was 17 years old.