Head-to-Head · Seoul

Balwoo Gongyang vs Kwonsooksoo

Seoul's temple-cuisine landmark against a two-star Korean classic. Book Balwoo Gongyang for vegan calm, Kwonsooksoo for a milestone.

Balwoo Gongyang

Jongno-gu · Korean Buddhist temple cuisine · 1 Michelin star 2017–2019 · Food 8 / Room 8 / Value 9

Balwoo Gongyang full review →

Kwonsooksoo

Cheongdam, Gangnam · Traditional Korean · 2 Michelin stars · Food 9 / Room 9 / Value 6

Kwonsooksoo full review →

The Verdict

These are two ends of the Korean fine-dining spectrum, and the choice is what kind of evening you want. Balwoo Gongyang is the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism's temple-cuisine restaurant in Jongno, an entirely vegan, alcohol-free meal of seasonal mountain vegetables that held a Michelin star from 2017 to 2019 and remains one of Seoul's most revered tables. Kwonsooksoo is chef Kwon Woo-joong's two-star room in Cheongdam, a lavish, wine-paired tasting of refined, court-style Korean cooking. Book Balwoo for a quiet, plant-based ritual; book Kwonsooksoo when the night calls for the full two-star treatment.

The split is restraint versus luxury. Balwoo Gongyang serves the monastic tradition: seasonal namul, mountain roots like deodeok, pyogo mushrooms and fermented preserves, no garlic, onion or alcohol, eaten slowly in private dining rooms. Kwonsooksoo runs an opulent multi-course tasting with a serious wine program, the kind of meal built for a special occasion. One is a meditation, the other a celebration. See both on the Seoul dining guide.

Scores, Side by Side

Score	Balwoo Gongyang	Kwonsooksoo
Food	8 / 10	9 / 10
Atmosphere	8 / 10	9 / 10
Value	9 / 10	6 / 10

Which One for Which Occasion

Occasion	Editorial Pick
A milestone or anniversary	KwonsooksooTwo stars, wine pairings and court-style cooking make it the ceremonial Korean table.
Vegan or plant-based diners	Balwoo GongyangA fully vegan temple menu, not a substitution, is the clear and only choice here.
A calm, reflective meal	Balwoo GongyangPrivate rooms, no alcohol and slow monastic courses make for the quietest fine meal in Seoul.
Wine lovers	KwonsooksooBalwoo serves no alcohol; Kwonsooksoo's pairings are a core part of the experience.
Watching the spend	Balwoo GongyangTemple courses from 36,000 won make it one of the best-value fine meals in the city.

Price Comparison

The gap is wide. Balwoo Gongyang's prix-fixe temple courses run from 36,000 won for the Seon course to 150,000 won for the Beop course, with most diners landing between 70,000 and 120,000 won. Kwonsooksoo is the splurge: lunch with wine has run roughly 280,000 to 340,000 won, and dinner adds about 120,000 won for the pairing on top of the course price. Balwoo is the value table; Kwonsooksoo is the occasion. Weigh them against the best Korean restaurants worldwide and the world's best vegan restaurants.

How to Book

Balwoo Gongyang takes reservations directly, with set lunch and dinner sittings on the fifth floor of the Templestay Information Center at 56 Ujeongguk-ro in Jongno; book a few days ahead and flag any allergies. Read the Balwoo Gongyang review before you go.

Kwonsooksoo, a small two-star room in Cheongdam, books through CatchTable and fills its prime weekend seatings weeks out, so reserve early. Read the Kwonsooksoo review first.

For occasion fit beyond this pairing, weigh Seoul tables for an anniversary and solo dining. For more Seoul match-ups, see Kwonsooksoo vs Mingles and Balwoo Gongyang vs Mingles, and browse the compare index.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Balwoo Gongyang or Kwonsooksoo?

They are not the same kind of meal. Balwoo Gongyang is the Jogye Order's Buddhist temple-cuisine restaurant in Jongno, an entirely vegan, alcohol-free experience of seasonal mountain vegetables that held a Michelin star from 2017 to 2019. Kwonsooksoo is chef Kwon Woo-joong's two-star traditional Korean room in Cheongdam, an opulent, wine-paired tasting of court-style dishes. Book Balwoo for calm, plant-based ritual; Kwonsooksoo for a high-end Korean milestone.

How much do Balwoo Gongyang and Kwonsooksoo cost?

They sit far apart. Balwoo Gongyang's prix-fixe temple courses run from 36,000 won for the Seon course up to 150,000 won for the Beop course, with most diners around 70,000 to 120,000 won. Kwonsooksoo is the bigger spend: lunch with wine has run roughly 280,000 to 340,000 won, and dinner adds about 120,000 won for the pairing on top of the course price. Balwoo is among the best-value fine meals in Seoul.

Is Balwoo Gongyang vegan?

Yes, completely. Balwoo Gongyang serves Korean Buddhist temple cuisine, which is strictly plant-based and also avoids the five pungent vegetables such as garlic and onion, along with any alcohol. The cooking centres on seasonal namul, mountain roots like deodeok, mushrooms and fermented preserves, prepared in the monastic tradition the Jogye Order has kept for centuries. Kwonsooksoo, by contrast, is a meat-and-seafood Korean tasting and is not a vegetarian restaurant.

How do you book Balwoo Gongyang and Kwonsooksoo?

Both want advance planning. Balwoo Gongyang takes reservations directly and recommends booking at least a few days ahead, with set lunch and dinner sittings on the fifth floor of the Templestay Information Center in Jongno. Kwonsooksoo, a small two-star room in Cheongdam, books through CatchTable and fills its prime weekend seatings weeks out, so reserve early and confirm any dietary needs when you do.