Tokyo, renowned as a global food mecca, has sometimes faced criticism for its limited vegetarian options. However, with a little planning, you can embark on a vegetarian culinary adventure that rivals any other food experience in the city.
Tokyo’s culinary scene is a highlight for visitors, offering exceptional quality ranging from upscale restaurants to humble ramen joints. While many vegetarian guides in Tokyo lean toward Western-style eateries with veggie burgers, salads, and smoothies, we’re here to celebrate the delectable Japanese cuisine, ensuring you get a taste of the nation’s culinary heritage.
In recent years, the vegetarian scene has significantly expanded in Tokyo, providing a plethora of delicious vegetarian options if you know where to look.
Where to Stay in Tokyo for Vegetarians and Vegans
When it comes to accommodation, Shinjuku and Shibuya are our top picks for vegetarians. Staying in these areas simplifies your life as you’ll be within walking distance of several vegetarian-friendly restaurants. After a long day of sightseeing, the last thing you want is to traverse the city in search of vegetarian options.
Shinjuku, in particular, stands out. It boasts a major station, beautiful parks, various attractions, and, in our experience, more favorable vegetarian restaurants compared to Shibuya, which tends to be pricier and more Westernized.
Moreover, consider booking an apartment or a hostel with a kitchen. Having the option to prepare your own meals, even something as simple as instant ramen, can be a lifesaver on busy days. Apartments in Tokyo often offer affordability compared to hotel rooms, making them an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Vegan Ramen in Tokyo
While traditional Japanese ramen typically features pork or fish broth, there’s now an array of vegan ramen options to savor in Tokyo. This classic dish provides a tasty, affordable, and quick meal that’s not to be missed.
T’s Tantan (TOP PICK)
– Location: Tokyo Station
– Description: T’s Tantan is an entirely vegan ramen haven conveniently situated within Tokyo Station, making it an accessible choice for travelers in transit. Their diverse ramen selection includes options like white, black, or gold sesame, shoyu (soy sauce), tonkotsu, and mapo tofu. We particularly enjoyed the mapo ramen during our last visit, which offered delightful spiciness, rich flavors, and a generous portion of greens. Although the ramen contains soy meat, these small, unobtrusive chunks didn’t detract from the experience. Don’t forget to try their gyoza and grab some instant ramen pots for an easy meal on another day.
– Cost: Starting from 1400 yen for a lunch deal (add 450 yen for gyoza).
Kyushu Jangara Ramen
– Locations: Various branches including Ikebukuro, Harajuku, Akihabara, Ginza, and Akasaka
– Description: This ramen chain offers an English menu featuring vegan ramen, known as “yuzu flavor,” topped with a vegetarian version of char-siu, resembling meat but with a tofu-like taste. It’s accompanied by bamboo shoots, toasted seaweed, green onions, bean sprouts, and can be ordered without the “five pungent roots.” While the broth is mildly flavored, you can enhance it with free condiments available at the counter, such as chili and garlic.
– Cost: 1420 yen for vegan ramen (additional charges for extra toppings).
Afuri
– Locations: Various branches including Shinjuku, Ebisu, Harajuku, and Roppongi
– Description: Afuri is a ramen chain that offers a vegan ramen infused with seasonal vegetables. Ordering is easy – purchase a ticket from the vending machine and find a seat at the counter. While the ramen looks enticing and boasts good noodles, the vegetables were slightly undercooked, and the soy broth lacked robust flavor. While it might not be our top choice, Afuri remains a decent option, especially if there are no alternatives nearby.
– Cost: 1480 yen for vegan ramen.
Bon (TOP PICK)
Location: 1–2–11 Ryusen Taito-ku
Description: Bon is an extraordinary vegetarian restaurant in Tokyo that transcends the definition of a meal; it’s an immersive experience. Specializing in fucha ryori, a variant of shojin ryori (Zen Buddhist vegan cuisine), Bon invites every vegetarian in Japan to partake in this culinary journey at least once. Bon enchants visitors with its serene ambiance, featuring miniature gardens, fountains, and a cobbled stone corridor leading to eight private tatami mat rooms with sliding paper doors. The lunch menu, which highlights seasonal ingredients, offers a 12-course feast. Each dish is a masterpiece, characterized by delicate flavors and meticulous attention to detail. While some ingredients may seem unusual to those unfamiliar with shojin ryori, they are all part of a unique adventure. From pumpkin dumplings representing the moon to tempura as intricate as art, Bon’s menu is a culinary masterpiece.
Cost: 3450 or 5000 yen for lunch, 6000 to 10,000 yen for dinner (plus 15% tax and service).
Nagi Shokudo
Location: Uguisudanicho 15–10, Royal Palace Shibuya 103
Description: Nagi Shokudo, a vegan restaurant in Shibuya, offers a fusion of Japanese and international cuisine. During lunchtime, you can choose from three set menus: fried soy meat, curry with rice and a deli item, or the lunch plate, allowing you to select three of their ever-changing deli items served with brown rice, miso soup, and pickles. Nagi Shokudo also features vegan cakes and cookies. Whether you opt for Simon’s favorite curry or enjoy tofu in chili miso sauce with dal wada (fried lentil ball) and potato salad, it’s a convenient choice for an affordable lunch.
Cost: 1200 yen for the lunch set.