Explore Japan’s vegan cuisine
Traditional Japanese vegan food is increasingly popular in Tokyo
As reported by Nikkei Asia, in recent years, Tokyo has seen a spike in the opening of many vegan restaurants to meet the growing demand for plant-based dishes. For vegan food enthusiasts, Tokyo is becoming a must-see destination. Traditionally, Japanese cuisine relies heavily on fish, meat or eggs as main ingredients. However, recent trends show a shift towards vegan options, which were previously limited to salads, white rice and cold tofu.
Vegetarianism is still a relatively new concept in Japan, a country that has long built its eating habits around rice, fish and meat. In large cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, it’s not uncommon for people to be unfamiliar with the term “vegan.”
In Yamagata, a picturesque rural town in Japan’s northern Tohoku region, even global coffee chain Starbucks began serving plant-based milk to customers in 2020. This plant word created such a buzz that it became a hot topic on local news.
Meanwhile, in Tokyo, an influx of international tourists and growing local concern over climate change have encouraged a shift towards veganism in the country’s culinary scene. city. Plant-based versions of classic dishes like ramen are appearing on menus at major restaurant chains, replacing pork with soy meat and fish broth with vegetable broth. Even matcha-flavored drinks are becoming popular at coffee shops.
Izakaya Masaka, located in the heart of Shibuya, has been on a mission to ensure that vegetarians don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy Japan’s favorite karaage (fried chicken). This plant-based dish is so crunchy, juicy, and flavorful that it’s almost indistinguishable from meat. The vegan karaage is made from soy protein and the sauces on offer are varied, with the spicy yuzu mayonnaise being a favourite.
Nobihiro Toriba opened Izakaya Masaka in 2019 after voluntarily adopting a vegan lifestyle in 2018. While working to create vegan dishes, he also wanted to preserve traditional izakaya (Japanese pub) culture for vegan diners. Masaka’s cozy atmosphere, complete with wobbly metal stools attached to the counter, is a charming contrast to the shiny shopping streets of Shibuya. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes, including vegan karaage, gyoza, and spicy Mapo tofu, all served with rice, pickles, and soup, making it an affordable dining option for everyone. tourists and locals on a budget of 1,200 yen ($7.60 USD) or less.
The meals are not only delicious but also packed with nutritional value. Set meals give diners the chance to sample a variety of small dishes, with prices ranging from 1,980 yen (US$12.50) to 3,850 yen (US$24.50). For those craving familiar dishes, vegan “fried chicken”, burgers and curries are also beautifully presented on traditional ceramic plates.
Notably, vegan ramen is no longer rare in Tokyo, but finding a restaurant with a menu as diverse as Vegan Bistro Jangara is still rare. This bistro opened amid pandemic restrictions in 2021 and remained relatively unknown until Japan fully opened its borders at the end of 2022. The ramen menu offers something for everyone. everyone, with each dish comes a soy meat chashu and a dashi broth made from vegetables.
Cafe Chairo (literally “Cafe Brown”) has become the perfect place to take a break from shopping. The restaurant’s vegan menu includes many traditional Japanese desserts, such as soft sweet rice dumplings (dango) and sweet red bean soup (oshiruko) with mochi, along with a variety of native drinks Creative botanicals, from cashew milks and caramel lattes to homemade drinks. Seasonal fruit soda. The cafe’s chewy matcha waffles are also a highlight.
James Brown, originally from Boston, USA, ran a Japanese tea shop in his hometown before moving to Tokyo and opening Cafe Chairo. Brown opened the cafe to promote “an inclusive, safe and connected food culture”. The cafe’s interior is a modern take on a traditional Japanese garden, complete with greenery, Zen-inspired stones, and kimono-clad staff.
For a more relaxed dining experience, Sushi Gonpachi, a high-end sushi restaurant, introduced a new vegan dish in February this year. The “Vegan Heaven” menu is an artful arrangement of the restaurant’s best vegan dishes.
Quiet setting, open design and pet-friendly policy has made this cafe popular with remote workers and single diners, and is the ideal spot for a relaxing weekend coffee date.
