Korean Dictionary
How to say "Temple food" in Korean
“Temple food” in Korean is 사찰음식 (pronounced "Sachaleumsik").
사찰음식
Sachaleumsik
Usage & Context
Buddhist vegetarian cuisine made without five pungent roots (meat, garlic, onion, etc.). Known for its clean, natural flavors and deep cultural significance. Korean temple food has gained international recognition for its health benefits and mindful preparation philosophy. Experiences available at many Korean temples.
Example Sentence
사찰음식은 건강하고 정갈한 한국 불교 요리예요.
Temple food is healthy and refined Korean Buddhist cuisine.
How to use 사찰음식 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Temple food” is 사찰음식, romanized as Sachaleumsik.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 사찰음식.
Pronunciation Guide
사 (Sa) sounds like 'sa' in 'sad'. 찰 (chal) rhymes with 'chal' in 'challenge'. 음 (eum) sounds like 'oom' in 'boom', but shorter and more nasal. 식 (sik) sounds like 'sick'. Put them together: 'Sa-chal-oom-sick'. The 'l' in 'chal' connects to 'eum'.
More Example Sentences
Explaining a key characteristic of temple food to someone new to it.
사찰음식은 오신채를 사용하지 않아요.
Temple food does not use the five pungent roots.
A health-conscious dining choice.
건강을 생각해서 사찰음식 전문점을 찾아갔어요.
Thinking about my health, I sought out a temple food specialty restaurant.
Describing a temple stay activity to a friend.
템플스테이에서 사찰음식을 직접 만들어보는 체험도 했어요.
At the temple stay, I also had the experience of making temple food myself.
Cultural Context
사찰음식 (Sachaleumsik) refers to the vegetarian cuisine prepared and consumed in Korean Buddhist temples. It strictly adheres to Buddhist principles, excluding meat, fish, and the 'five pungent roots' (오신채, osinchae): garlic, onion, leek, chive, and wild garlic, which are believed to hinder spiritual practice. Emphasizing natural flavors and seasonal ingredients, temple food is renowned for its clean, healthy, and mindful preparation. It has gained international recognition, with some temple chefs achieving Michelin stars, and many temples offering temple food experiences as part of their temple stay programs.
Editorial note
We review entries like 사찰음식 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
사찰음식은 몸과 마음을 정화시켜줘요.
Temple food purifies the body and mind.
오늘 점심은 사찰음식 어때?
How about temple food for lunch today?
사찰음식 레시피를 배워보고 싶어요.
I want to learn temple food recipes.
Related Expressions
채식
Chaesik
Vegetarianism/Vegetarian food
템플스테이
Templeseutei
Temple stay (program to experience temple life)
오신채
Osinchae
Five pungent roots (forbidden in temple food)
비건
Bigeon
Vegan (loanword)
More Culture Words
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