Sushi is almost always at the top of the list for international visitors wanting to experience Japanese cuisine.
With time, we’ve seen more creative takes on traditional sushi, adding originality to the mix. In recent years, vegan sushi has developed as a new genre, and you can experience it at “Vegan Sushi Tokyo” in Shibuya.
Vegan sushi with a focus on texture and flavor
Vegan Sushi Tokyo uses vegetables and plant-based alternatives made from soy and other ingredients for their sushi toppings.
For example, the popular “Vegan Meat” sushi (listed as yakiniku in Japanese) features plant-based meat seasoned with a house-made sauce. The meat has a chewy texture, and the sauce is sweet and savory with a hint of garlic.
This sushi is satisfying and flavorful, unlike the bland taste some people associate with vegan dishes.
“やきにく,” Vegan Meat (gloves are usually worn during preparation)
Next is the “Scrambled Eggs.” This sushi uses a plant-based egg substitute with a touch of mustard and mayonnaise. The mustard adds mild heat, and the tangy mayonnaise lingers pleasantly.
Its texture resembles scrambled eggs, though it’s less creamy and slightly more gelatinous than real eggs.
“植物卵＆マヨ,” Scrambled Eggs (gloves are usually worn during preparation)
Even among vegan sushi, which is already a unique category, the “Tempura” at Vegan Sushi Tokyo stands out from the rest.
It recreates shrimp tempura using powdered konjac (a type of yam) for the shrimp body and carrot for the tail. The batter is delightfully crispy, and the sweet sauce, a blend of ketchup and mayonnaise, complements the dish.
The high level of craftsmanship is evident in every detail of this sushi.
“天ぷら（エビフライ）,” Tempura
The “Kaba (Tofu & Yam)” sushi also showcases the restaurant’s creativity.
Kabayaki is a cooking style where fish is grilled with a sauce made of soy sauce, mirin, and other ingredients. At Vegan Sushi Tokyo, instead of fish, they use tofu mixed with yam and soy-based sauce for flavor.
The rich sauce is complemented by the fresh taste of perilla leaves, giving it a refreshing finish. It’s more than just a substitute for seafood sushi; it’s a delicious vegan sushi in its own right.
“豆腐と湯葉のかば焼き,” Kaba (Tofu & Yam)
The most popular item at Vegan Sushi Tokyo: the “Vegan Sushi Set”
The “Vegan Sushi Set” is the most popular item on the menu, featuring a plate of sushi including “Vegan Meat,” “Scrambled Eggs,” “Tempura,” and “Kaba (Tofu & Yam),” along with miso soup and pickled ginger.
“ヴィーガン寿司セット,” Vegan Sushi Set 10 sushi pieces + miso soup + pickled ginger 3,300 JPY (tax included) / 10 sushi pieces only 3,000 JPY (tax included)
The vegetable sushi is crafted with care, not just in seasoning but also in preparation methods. By maximizing the natural flavors of each component, the restaurant ensures that even with limited choices of ingredients and seasonings, their sushi is thoroughly satisfying.
Among these, the “Eggplant” sushi is particularly surprising. The slow-cooked eggplant melts in your mouth, its sweetness enhanced to the fullest.
“とろナス,” Eggplant
The “Vegan Salmon Roe,” made from seaweed-based ingredients, has the same burst-in-your-mouth sensation as real salmon roe. It’s subtly sweet and remarkably similar in taste and appearance to the real thing.
“いくら,” Vegan Salmon Roe
A desire to let vegans fully enjoy Japan
Vegan Sushi Tokyo opened in June 2024 in the Dogenzaka area of Shibuya, specifically aiming to appeal to international tourists.
Interior of Vegan Sushi Tokyo
In Japan, vegan restaurants are still quite limited, and even when available, they are often far from major tourist spots. According to Shu Kudo and other members of the founding team, “We realized that vegans often have to compromise on either their sightseeing plans or their meals.”
Kudo’s desire that “vegans can enjoy Japan 100%” is at the heart of Vegan Sushi Tokyo. Word of mouth has quickly spread, and now, most of the restaurant’s visitors are international tourists.
The restaurant also offers the “Vegan Sushi Tokyo Full Course,” which includes 10 pieces of vegan sushi, miso soup, pickled ginger, dessert, and a tasting set of vegan-certified sake.
The Vegan Sushi Tokyo Full Course includes miso soup, pickled ginger, three types of sake, and vegan vanilla ice cream
Additionally, the menu caters to oriental vegans and oriental vegetarians by excluding the “five pungent roots” — onion, green onion, garlic, chives, and scallions — entirely.
When ordering, you can ask about the use of these ingredients, and they will suggest suitable dishes for oriental vegans and oriental vegetarians.
Look for the store’s sign
With its exciting vegan offerings, the restaurant is pioneering a new style of enjoying sushi.
Vegan Sushi Tokyo aims to expand its presence beyond Shibuya to other major tourist destinations in Japan, providing broader dining options for all.
Information
| Store name | Vegan Sushi Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Address | Nono Building 2F, 1-17-12 Dōgenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
|
| Access |
Shibuya Station（SBY）4-minute walk from Shibuya Station West Exit
Shibuya Station（SBY）8-minute walk from Shibuya Station West Exit
|
| Phone number | Unlisted |
| Reservations | Accepted Reserve with Google, Instagram DM |
| Payment |
|
| Service charge / Table charge | None |
| Hours | 11:00-16:00（last order 15:30） |
| Closed | Sundays, Mondays |
| Seating | 21 seats 9 counter seats, 12 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://www.instagram.com/vegansushitokyo_jp/ |
| Other information |
|
※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of September 2024.
