Temple Garden Soup

To Americans it may seem odd that elegant cuisine is served at places intended for religious worship, but in Japan the very finest vegetarian food may be found at any number of Buddhist temples that house restaurants within the temple grounds, and some manage restaurants outside the religious precincts as well. Some of these restaurants serve only at midday, while others serve an evening meal in addition.

It was at Muryoan, a Tokyo restaurant affiliated with the Ōbakuzan School of B