[Ilsan
and Jeonju]On
November 11, 2001, Korean fellow practitioners opened two new vegetarian
restaurants, one in Ilsan and the other in Jeonju. Although SM Vegetarian
Buffet, run by the Seoul Center to promote vegetarianism in Korea, suffered
financial difficulties in its first few years of business, it has continued
to operate and has gradually become famous due to growing interest in
the vegetarian diet. Vegetarianism has become increasingly popular after
a series of outbreaks of meat-related diseases.
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The J&J Vegetarian Buffet
prepares delectable vegetarian dishes for joyful guests on its
opening day.
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The
biggest obstacle for Koreans in pursuing a vegetarian diet has been
a lack of vegetarian restaurants. But the recent vegetarian boom has
encouraged local fellow practitioners to open two restaurants in Korea.
The
J&J Vegetarian Buffet in Ilsan was named as an abbreviation for
double joy or "Joy and Joy." This largest vegetarian restaurant
in Korea was established as a corporation and is operated by fellow
initiates from the Seoul Center to promote vegetarianism.
Its
opening ceremony was attended by 500 guests and initiates. Group reservations
were made even before its opening and vegetarian dishes prepared for
500 - 600 people were quickly consumed. The guests praised the delicious
vegetarian food and expressed great interest in vegetarian cooking.
On
the same day, the Healthy Vegetarian House was opened by Convenient
Method practitioners in Jeonju City. The restaurant is spacious, with
many tables, and some set outside the restaurant as well. The opening
ceremony, jointly held with the Jeonbuk Province vegetarian movement,
attracted many initiates and vegetarian groups to the restaurant. During
the day, vegetarian cooking demonstrations and various vegetarian-related
lectures were held. After the opening ceremony, both guests and initiates
went to downtown Jeonju to promote vegetarianism.
