Zen Monk's Vegetable Soup

There is no shortage of recipes for Kenchin-jiru on the internet. Nor is there a shortage of theories as to how this iconic shojin ryori vegetable soup originated. Some say it was out of necessity when faced with feeding more guests than anticipated during a temple festival. Others say it was out of desperation when a young monk dropped a plate of tofu—intended for dinner—onto the ground causing the temple abbot to hastily picked it up, rinse it off, and come up with a new plan to feed the sangha. What isn't disputed is that is was created at Kencho-ji Temple in Kamakura around the 13th Century. And that it is delicious.

Kenchin-jiru: Zen Monk's Vegetable Soup © 2025 Tenzo's Kitchen LLC

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