Portrait of Kim Ji Young
i. Biography
The Essentials Temple food is the core discipline at Balwoo Gongyang in Seoul, where Kim Ji Young serves as Head Chef. The work sits on restraint and attention: the cook’s state matters as much as the plate, and the practice asks for discipline before display. In Kim Ji Young’s own framing, the meal carries the mind [마음] of the person who prepares it. That is why she has told colleagues that anger or resentment can reach the diner too, and why she treats a clear state of mind as part of the craft.
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In Their Words “If I’m angry or resentful, that could also affect the person eating it. So I try to cook with a good 마음 [mind/heart], and I’ve often told the colleagues I worked with that as well.”
FAQ
Asked of Kim
What is Kim Ji Young's current role?
As of 2026, Kim Ji Young is Head Chef.
What is Kim Ji Young known for?
Temple food.
The Sunday email
Read about chefs like Kim Ji Young in the Sunday email.
Every Sunday we send a lead story and up to four more about the chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and hoteliers behind the restaurants, bars, wineries and hotels we cover.
Recent stories
Free. One email a week, and you can unsubscribe from any issue.