Jeong Kwan

Jeong Kwan (born 1957) is a Seon Buddhist nun and renowned chef of Korean cuisine. She resides in the Chunjinam Hermitage at Baegyangsa temple in South Korea, where she prepares meals for fellow nuns, monks, and occasional visitors. Despite lacking formal culinary training or owning a restaurant, Jeong Kwan has garnered widespread recognition for her unique approach to cooking. Growing up on a farm, she developed a passion for food and learned to make noodles by hand at a young age. Jeong Kwan's dishes showcase her homegrown vegetables, such as aubergines, tomatoes, plums, and pumpkin, while adhering to a strict vegan diet that excludes garlic and onions. Her culinary prowess has influenced esteemed chefs like Mingoo Kang of Mingles and René Redzepi of Noma.