Masami is a living-abroad Japanese who goes back to Japan periodically. And every time she finds more and more vegan options popping out here and there. She tells us with a big smile.
Recommended Vegan Restaurants in Japan
Veganic to Go
“Veganic to Go” in Nogizaka, Tokyo is a tiny place tucked in between tall office buildings, run- by a young Vegan family with the aim of being kind to the earth and kind to own health.
I had Vegan Burger with hemp bun and Grain Coffee. Simply divine. Place is so comfortable to make you want to linger there for a while.
Caffe Trattoria Azzurri
Found a delicious Vegan Pizza at “Caffe Trattoria Azzurri” in Musashi Urawa, Saitama.
This Italian restaurant serves dishes cooked with locally produced Western vegetables. And their homemade Soy cheese are so popular that it made it on TV and newspaper. The interior is so stylish, the chef and the staff are so friendly. Highly recommended.
Pucha Cuisine at “BON” in Ryuusen, Tokyo
Pucha Cuisine was brought by Monk Ingen from China ca. 300 years ago. It’s a kind of Buddhist cuisine, completely vegan.
A serene Zen setting and delicately created meal amused us deeply. The tranquil private room with good friends has made this experience unforgettable one.
Bio Café
Afternoon teatime at “Bio Café” in the bustling fashion town of Shibuya, Tokyo.
This completely organic café & restaurant offers lots of Vegan sweets as well as healthy and delicious meals.
Vegan sweets place is so rare in Japan. My daughter and I enjoyed Nuts tart, Coconuts custard tart and 4 different kinds of bagels with all smiles!
Afuri
Everyone loves Ramen, but if you are vegan, you might have to forget about it as the broth isn’t vegan at all. But this dedicated Ramen restaurant “Afuri”, which has several shops in Tokyo and all over the world, serves Rainbow Vegan Ramen with colourful veggie toppings. I was so excited to eat Ramen again and it’s so amazing🍲💚.
Fu Fu Fu Plus
Lunch with a friend at “Fu Fu Fu Plus” in Takatsuki, Saitama
Away from the crowd, surrounded by green, nice woody interior, you feel like you are on a relaxed holiday. They serve plant-based meals in this comfortable cosy atmosphere. Lunch menu changes every month according to seasonal vegetables. Not all menus are vegan but they adopt to your need.
Sansui
💚Vegetable Sushi💚🍣 at “SANSUI” in Nisshin, Saitama
Chef Sekine is one of the pioneers of Vegan Sushi. He uses locally produced vegetables and promotes dietary therapy as to live a healthy life. He appears on TV and gives lectures too.
Japan still has a lot to catch up for Vegan in the area of Sushi Culture (basically lots of raw fish). However, there is a hope. People are more aware of healthy lifestyle, and Mr. Sekine is promoting it well.
Enryakuji
Enryakuji, Shiga, offers proper Shoujin Ryouri, the Buddhist cuisine, of more than 1000 years of history.
Their authentic culinary is so delicate and beautiful in details. They are eye-pleasing as well as palate and mind, knowing that no living creature was harmed to create these delicious meals.
On top of the mountains surrounded by tall old trees. A trip from cities is truly worthwhile.
CoCo Ichiban ya
Vegetable Curry🍛💚 at “CoCo Ichiban ya”🍽️
This poplar Curry chain store which you can find world-wide has a whole lot of Vegetarian/Vegan menu!
Curry & rice is one of the Japanese comfort food and it is great to be able to eat worry-free when eating out. You can choose from various toppings and I always love aubergine!
Saizeria
Popular inexpensive Italian Restaurant Chain “Saizeria” 💚
serves Pepperoncino🍝 and yes, it is VEGAN💚.
I was quite impressed when they presented me with a thick book of allergy information per dish.
I must say there isn’t much you can eat here besides Pepperoncino if you are Vegan, but still it’s a start!
TENYA
The popular Tempura restaurant chain “TENYA”, and their tempura is VEGAN💚
No eggs added in batter❌🥚. You will enjoy these Vegetable Tempura with sprinkled salt😋
Tendon, the rice bowl with Tempura on top isn’t vegan as their sauce is made with fish stock😅
A glass of Beer is such welcoming company in the hot day😉
Izakaya
“Izakaya” is Japanese style Tapas bar, I would call it, with many small/big dishes.
Izakaya’s serve enough possible VEGAN dishes💚
Ask them to serve you Tofu and Fried Tofu without bonito flakes. Edamame is always our best friend. This raw cabbage with miso dip was fab. Deep fried spicy spaghetti sticks were a bonus too😋
This time in lively Osaka Dotonbori. All-you-can-drink added extra happy feelings too.
Taniguchi ya
Been to “Taniguchi ya”, a famous shop for Tofu and Abura-Age (deep-fried Tofu), since 1925, in Fukui
The abura-age is so crunchy outside and so soft and juicy inside😍 Simply Divine😋. The set menu is all VEGAN except miso soup. On the menu, you can find Tofu pizza, Tofu burger and Tofu sweets too, which make vegetarian happy.
FUKAMIDORI
An oasis in the city centre, “FUKAMIDORI” in Fukui
Serving all organic plant-based meals, sweets and drink💚
This comfortable cosy space😇 lets you relax and forget time.
I enjoyed talking to an old friend having their healthy delicious food. Next time I might bring a book to enjoy me-time.
Seaside Cafe EARTH
“Seaside Cafe EARTH”🌏, Fukui
Lush mountains⛰ behind it and renowned picturesque Echizen coastline🏖 before you, situated in the midst of the magnificent scenery.
EARTH offers vegan meals and sweets💚 and other omnivore dishes with locally grown eco-friendly products with the respect to the traditional methods💗
I love their curry and especially raw vegan desserts.
Marvelling at the horizon🏖 through the window, you may start to have a conversation with the EARTH.
KAWAI NOUEN + CAFÉ
Farm café “KAWAI NOUEN + CAFÉ” 💚 in Fukui, offers dishes made with self-grown organic vegetables directly from the farm. They use the minimum seasoning as to enhances the natural sweetness of the vegetables.
This place looks like a living room and the staff are so friendly. The owner kindly adopted to serve me a vegan plate, I am so happy that I went back again shortly after.
Colourful Vegetable slivers so crunchy and fresh, and the Tomato sweet is divine.
Nowadays, more and more young Japanese people are aware of environmental issues and have started to search for sustainable lifestyles. The word SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) is getting popular and is used even for marketing nowadays. The “plant-based (植物由来)” can be found on some products as well, as to promote healthy food choice. Everyone wants to live happy and healthy life and Japanese people are not exception either. Japan is surely changing positively towards a better country accommodating Vegans.
So next time you are in Japan, don’t despair. You will find more than you expect!
Read more about Masami
Masami Kita Geerlings
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