If you’re headed to Tokyo and you’re a vegan, you may have some nerves about where you’re going to be able to eat. Visiting a new country with a limited grasp on the language can often seem intimidating, especially when you’re trying to ascertain what’s on food labels or the ingredients in restaurant menu items. Thankfully though, it doesn’t need to be that way in Japan! Tokyo’s vegan eating scene is constantly growing and offers loads of delicious spots to chow down at, with everything from vegan ramen restaurants through to entirely vegan burger joints. Wondering about where to visit first? Here are three of my favorite vegan eateries in Japan’s capital.
Organic Table by Lapaz
Situated just a short stroll from the Tokyo Metro Gaienmae Station is Organic Table by Lapaz, who have quite a diverse and colorful range of vegan eats on offer. There’s everything from the South Indian Curry plate to the rainbow colors of their “Energy Salad”, and burgers made with soy fillets and tempeh. They also have a delicious assortment of sweets available, including cheesecakes, creme brulee, and trifle.
Access information and more about the menu items on offer can be found on their website.
Ain Soph Ripple
If you’re after a burger fix that you can enjoy guilt-free, heading to Ain Soph Ripple is worth your while! The restaurant is part of the Ain Soph chain, which includes other vegan eateries both in Tokyo and Kyoto that serve up a host of other tasty eats, but this store is all about comfort food. Whether it’s a cheeseburger, a soy chicken burger, or a falafel burger that sounds good to your taste buds, they’ve got it – as well as burritos, mac and cheese and more. If you’re more of a sweet tooth, they’ve got you covered here as well, with completely vegan treats like tiramisu, french toast, muffins and waffles.
Ain Soph Ripple is located in the Kabukicho district of Shinjuku, and access information can be found on their website.
T’s Tantan
If you thought that you’d have to miss out on ramen on a trip to Japan because so many options are made with animal ingredients in the broths, or topped with char siu pork, eggs, or other animal products, think again! There are a number of vegan ramen eateries in the city, but a favorite of mine is T’s Tantan, which is located within Tokyo Station itself! The fact that it’s located at the station means that it’s handy for many travelers, since it’s a hub for transport, and it also means you’ll never have to worry about going hungry when you’re trying to get from A to B.
There are a host of different ramen varieties on the menu here, as well as some delicious sides including soy karaage, or fried “chicken”, vegan gyoza, and veggies consisting of edamame, broccoli and leafy greens. More details about their menu options can be found on their website (in Japanese).
Looking for more suggestions?
If you’re after more suggestions for vegan friendly spots to eat if you’ll be traveling to Tokyo, read this article on pescetarian-friendly restaurants or head to Happy Cow or Vegewel for some helpful recommendations. Happy eating!
