On 10 June 2026, Friends of Korea had the privilege of taking part in an evening with Ven. Jeong Kwan at the Enea Tree Museum in Rapperswil-Jona, hosted by Julius Baer. Our founder, Cherin Lim, served as interpreter throughout the evening, helping to share Ven. Jeong Kwan’s reflections with the audience.

The evening was created by Ven. Jeong Kwan, the renowned Buddhist nun whose Korean temple cuisine is celebrated around the world, together with the experimental gastronomy collective Steinbeisser. Guests gathered around one long communal table, where there was no conventional menu and no rush between courses.

Each dish reflected the principles of Korean temple cuisine: seasonal ingredients, naturally fermented sauces aged over many years, and the absence of the five pungent vegetables—garlic, onion, scallion, chives, and leeks—which the tradition avoids to encourage clarity and mindfulness. The philosophy is simple: take only what is needed, waste as little as possible, and remain in harmony with nature.

Throughout the evening, conversations naturally touched on sustainability, spirituality, culture, and human connection. Rather than being discussed in theory, these ideas were expressed through every course and through the quiet rhythm of the shared meal.

For Friends of Kore, this is the kind of cultural exchange we seek to support: introducing Korea not as a spectacle, but through its traditions, philosophy, and values. We are grateful to Ven. Jeong Kwan, Steinbeisser, Julius Baer, and everyone who contributed to making this memorable evening possible.