Quick answer: Two strands of Korean cooking make memorable group meals. Royal court cuisine, recognised as national intangible heritage in Korea, comes from the Joseon palace kitchens and is served today as a long set course of many small dishes. Temple food is the cooking of Korea's Buddhist monasteries: no meat and none of the five pungent vegetables, such as garlic and onion, with seasonal vegetables, grains and fermented sauces. Both are served as set courses in restaurants in Seoul and other cities, and temple food can also be eaten at a temple itself. Explera DMC Korea books the venue and confirms dietary needs in advance.

Royal court cuisine

From the palace kitchens. The dishes of the Joseon royal household, balanced in colour, flavour and cooking method, and recognised as national intangible heritage in Korea.
Served as a set course. Many small dishes brought in sequence, which suits a group: everyone eats the same menu at the same pace.
A dinner, not a quick lunch. Allow time; this is a sit-down evening, good for a welcome or farewell dinner.

Temple food

Monastery cooking. No meat, and none of the five pungent vegetables — garlic, green onion, chives, onion and leek — with seasonal vegetables, grains, tofu and fermented sauces.
Where to eat it. Temple-food restaurants in Seoul serve it as a set course; a meal at a temple is possible as part of a temple visit or temple stay.
Quiet and seasonal. The menus change with the season, and the setting is calm — a contrast with barbecue and busy markets.

Why it helps with dietary requirements

Vegetarian by default. Temple food is plant-based and cooked without garlic and onion, which suits vegetarian, many vegan and some religious diets.
Predictable set menus. Royal cuisine courses can be adapted in advance for allergies and restrictions, because the menu is fixed and planned.
Confirm in writing. Send each guest's requirement ahead; the restaurant confirms each dish, not just the menu name.

Fitting it into a programme

A royal court dinner works well as the welcome or farewell dinner in Seoul, especially for incentive and VIP groups. A temple-food lunch fits beside a palace, a temple or a gallery visit, and gives a quieter midday after a busy morning.

Venues are smaller than big barbecue restaurants, so large groups may need a private room, a buyout or two sittings. Book early for peak dates, and brief the guide to explain the courses as they arrive.

Booked and confirmed

Explera DMC Korea chooses the royal-cuisine or temple-food venue for the group's size and budget, books the set course, confirms every dietary requirement in writing and briefs the guide on the food.

Send your dates, pax and dietary needs to b2b@explera.kr or WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090. Explera DMC Korea is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and an ASTA member (#900408341); our KTO and KATA registrations are in application.