Zen Vegan Food

Buddhist temple priest and chef Koyu Iinuma shares the simple, beautiful and delicious plant-based meals he prepares in the kitchens of Fukushoji Temple in Yokohama, Japan.

The 73 recipes showcased in Zen Vegan Food are visually stunning and deeply flavorful, while also being nutritious, sustainable and ethically responsible. Color photos show the finished dishes, and comprehensive guidance on essential Japanese ingredients like seaweed, miso and tofu, helps home cooks shop confidently and prepare each recipe with ease.

In this cookbook, readers will find:

• 28 recipes for vegan congee, the traditional Asian rice porridge that is now beloved worldwide, including Congee with Eggplant and Ginger, Soymilk Congee, and Congee with Saffron and Chestnuts
• A chapter on Japanese-Italian dishes with recipes such as Grilled Turnips with Mustard and Olive Sauce, Spaghetti with Pesto and Shiitake, and Mushroom Risotto with Nori Seaweed
• Delicious condiments and starters to brighten any meal, including Mushroom Miso Paste and Crunchy Kombu Chips

Though we may not typically associate Buddhist monasteries with modern chefs and temple cafes, a younger generation of priests—like Iinuma—are ushering in a new era rooted in openness, mindfulness and reconnection to the natural world. For centuries, Buddhist monastery chefs have prepared refined vegan cuisine known as shojin ry ri.Zen Vegan Food offers a contemporary, accessible take on this traditional Japanese temple cooking, full of balance, care and flavor.

For anyone interested in sustainable, plant-based eating, mindful cooking, or authentic Japanese vegetarian cuisine, this book offers fresh inspiration and practical techniques for creating deeply satisfying meals the whole family will enjoy.