A Bowl of Calm: Temple Food and Warmth at Sujata

Collage of Sujata's food.

Just at the foot of Mudeung Mountain in Dong-gu, Gwangju, there is a place many locals quietly treasure and hikers swear by: Sujata (수자타). It isn’t flashy, and it doesn’t try to impress you at first glance. Instead, it welcomes you the way temple food always does, gently, honestly, and with a table full of dishes that feel both grounding and comforting. Sujata specializes in traditional Korean temple cuisine, which means everything here is completely plant-based. No meat. No dairy. No heavy artificial flavors. Only vegetables, grains, tofu, roots, greens, and the deep, familiar taste of Korean fermentation and seasoning. It’s the kind of food that doesn’t overwhelm your senses, yet somehow stays with you long after the meal is over.

The restaurant runs as a buffet, and for around 8,000 won per person, you can eat as much as you like. Long tables are filled with an impressive variety of dishes: warm rice, light soups, seasoned vegetables, braised roots, fresh greens for wrapping, and rows of colorful banchan (side dishes) that change with the seasons. You can build your own plates again and again, mixing flavors, textures, and temperatures the way Korean meals are meant to be enjoyed. Some dishes are soft and comforting, others crisp and refreshing, others quietly bold with garlic, sesame, chili, or fermented depth. It’s authentic Korean flavor without relying on meat or heaviness, and even people who don’t usually eat vegetarian food often leave surprised at how satisfying and complete the meal feels.

One of the best little bonuses of Sujata is that it’s not just a place to eat,  it’s a place to take a bit of Korean flavor home with you. Near the entrance, there’s a small selection of banchan and side dishes for sale, including kimchi and other prepared items that you can take with you so you don’t have to cook but still get that rich, fermented taste at home. Whether you want some spicy kimchi to enjoy with rice later or a few vegetable side dishes to brighten up your dinner, these ready-to-go options make it easy to stretch the experience beyond your lunchtime visit.

My plate full of food.

Diverse dishes.

Vegetables and salads.

Sujata has become especially popular among hikers coming down from Mudeung Mountain, monks, vegans and vegetarians, and food lovers who appreciate clean, traditional tastes. Around lunchtime, the place fills quickly with muddy hiking boots, quiet conversations, families, and regulars who clearly know exactly what they’re there for. There’s a warm, communal atmosphere, the kind of place where no one rushes you, but the energy tells you that something good is happening here. Because Sujata closes at 3 p.m., lunchtime is its golden hour. Arriving earlier means more variety and a calmer mood; coming later often means seeing just how loved this place is, with some trays already empty and new guests still lining up. That early closing time only adds to its charm, it feels like a shared secret between the mountain and the people who walk it.

Interior of Sujata.

If you’re in Gwangju and looking for something beyond cafés and Korean barbecue, Sujata offers a different kind of experience, one that’s slower, healthier, and deeply Korean. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, curious about temple food, or simply hungry after a long walk, it’s the kind of meal that nourishes more than just your stomach. You don’t leave overly full. You leave balanced, warm, and quietly happy, already thinking about when you might come back again.