Hidden away in the peaceful hills of Kawanishi, Manganji Temple is home to one of Japan’s most serene culinary experiences. A must-visit for anyone exploring Japan’s mindful, plant-forward food culture, the café ‘En’ is nestled within temple grounds and offers a tranquil journey into traditional temple-style cuisine – Otera Gohan (Temple Lunch).
The atmosphere at @manganji.en is calming and minimal, surrounded by moss-covered stone paths and quiet temples. The go-to meal here is the weekly special Temple Lunch, a selection of vegetarian dishes using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. It’s a rotating menu, and it sells out fast!
Our Temple Lunch Menu
Otera Gohan (Temple Lunch)
Here’s a look at the full temple lunch spread, beautifully balanced and thoughtfully presented. Now, let’s take a closer look at each dish and what made them so special.
Kenchin Jiru
Kenchin Jiru: A hearty, clear soup made with root vegetables and tofu, rooted in temple cuisine.
Kenchin Jiru is a hearty, nourishing clear soup made with an assortment of root vegetables and tofu, simmered in a light soy-based broth. Originating from Buddhist temple cuisine, it offers comfort and depth of flavour without the use of meat or fish.”
Fresh Salad
Fresh Salad: Crisp, locally grown vegetables.
Stir-Fried Kuruma Fu
Stir-Fried Kuruma Fu: Chewy wheat gluten slices cooked in a savoury, salt-based sauce with shiitake mushrooms.
Stir-Fried Kuruma Fu is a Japanese dish made with rehydrated wheat gluten, cooked until golden and chewy. It absorbs the flavours of the sauce and ingredients, making it a versatile, protein-rich, and satisfying plant-based option.
Sesame Tofu
Sesame Tofu: Silky, nutty, and simply divine.
Sesame Tofu is a smooth, custard-like dish with a rich, nutty flavour that melts in your mouth. Made from ground sesame seeds rather than soy, it’s a delicate and refined dish often served chilled, offering a subtly sweet and savoury experience that’s simply divine.
Cherry Tomato Goma-ae
Cherry Tomato Goma-ae: Fresh cherry tomatoes tossed in a nutty sesame dressing.
Cherry Tomato Goma-ae is a simple Japanese side dish of juicy cherry tomatoes tossed in a rich, nutty sesame dressing, balancing sweetness and savoury flavours for a refreshing bite.
Sweet Potato and Raisin Salad with Yoghurt
Cherry Tomato Goma-ae: Fresh cherry tomatoes tossed in a nutty sesame dressing.
Warabi Mochi with Matcha
Warabi Mochi: Soft, chewy, and perfect with a light dusting of kinako (roasted soybean flour).
Warabi mochi and matcha make the perfect pair! The mochi’s soft, chewy texture balances beautifully with the earthy, slightly bitter flavour of matcha for a refreshing and refined treat.
My Experience
The Temple Lunch at Manganji Temple was such a unique and peaceful experience. The meal was beautifully crafted with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The weekly special lunch is popular and was sold out before noon, but luckily, my friend snagged us a reservation, so we didn’t miss out.
It’s technically vegetarian, not fully vegan, as it includes yoghurt, but they’re happy to customise if you want it vegan. After the meal, wandering the serene temple grounds and gardens was the perfect way to relax and digest.
If you’re curious about traditional temple cuisine or want a tranquil dining experience surrounded by nature, I highly recommend trying Otera Gohan at Manganji Temple!
Check out my Instagram here for my experience!
This restaurant: Café ‘En’ in Manganji Temple.
Address: 7-1 Manganjicho, Kawanishi, Hyogo 665-0891, Japan.
Social media: @Manganji.en
Website: https://manganji.jp/??? (Japanese Only)
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