Tokyo is a haven for food lovers, and it’s no exception for those seeking plant-based dining options. From innovative sushi to hearty ramen and vegan izakaya experiences, this city offers a diverse range of restaurants catering to vegan tastes. Discover some of the best vegan-friendly spots in Tokyo, where creativity and flavor shine in every dish!
- Vegan sushi restaurant that inspired Kill Bill: SUSHI Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu
- Vegan ramen in Harajuku: Vegan Bistro Jangara
- Vegan burgers and shrimp with a cyberpunk twist: NEO Shinjuku ATSUSHI
- Delicious vegan rice bowls and take-out sweets in Shibuya: Cosme Kitchen Adaptation
- Refreshing vegan ramen in Asakusa: Asakusa Nadai Ramen Yoroiya
- Vegan izakaya with karaage fried chicken in Shibuya: Vegan Izakaya Masaka
Vegan sushi restaurant that inspired Kill Bill: SUSHI Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu
Located in Roppongi, “SUSHI Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu” is a restaurant that has gained quite a bit of popularity among international diners. Not only does this eatery serve outstanding vegan sushi, its interior also inspired scenes in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Volume 1.
What stands out about this restaurant’s sushi is that while there are many vegan-friendly pieces, they don’t compromise traditional Japanese flavor. Toppings like tonburi (summer cypress seed), avocado, young green onion shoots, pickled myōga (Japanese ginger), shiitake mushrooms, and okra are used.
While you can enjoy this selection of vegan sushi with soy sauce, it’s recommended to savor them on their own to truly appreciate their full flavor. The grilled shiitake mushroom, in particular, is packed with umami and sweetness that pairs perfectly with the vinegared sushi rice.
SUSHI Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu provides vegan-friendly sushi and an atmosphere with a traditional Japanese and cinematic flair that will surely leave a great impression!
Vegan ramen in Harajuku: Vegan Bistro Jangara
Located just a stone’s throw away from the popular Takeshita Street and iconic Meiji Shrine in Harajuku, “Vegan Bistro Jangara” is quite the hit with international diners in search of delicious vegan cuisine. Of particular note is their signature dish, “Vegan Karabon,” which is a plant-based take on spicy tonkotsu ramen!
Toppings are plentiful, including cabbage, wood ear mushrooms, green onions, soy meat-based chāshū (Japan’s version of char siu). The spicy broth is made from simmering vegetables, which results in a flavor on par with that of traditional pork bone soup. Customers can also opt for gluten-free noodles, making it a bowl anyone can enjoy!
Vegan Bistro Jangara is perfect for those seeking a vegan-friendly bowl of noodles while taking in the many sights and sounds of the popular Harajuku district!
Vegan burgers and shrimp with a cyberpunk twist: NEO Shinjuku ATSUSHI
“NEO Shinjuku ATSUSHI” offers not only a menu of creative “future-inspired” vegan dishes, but a vibrant cyberpunk aesthetic that is sure to leave you wowed!
The restaurant’s vegan menu isn’t just to accommodate dietary needs. NEO Shinjuku ATSUSHI has a conceptual design as a “post-apocalyptic” world, and so the futuristic vegan dishes are a play on the notion of what humans would be eating in such a world.
One highlight is the restaurant’s “‘Teritama’ Burger.” In Japan, teritama is a portmanteau of the words “teriyaki” and tamago, which means “egg.” However, this burger uses two types of soy-meat and plant-based recreations of teriyaki sauce and egg.
The burger combines a thick patty, runny egg texture, and sweet vegan teriyaki sauce that is a truly satisfying bite!
Follow up your burger with the restaurant’s “Plant-based Garlic Shrimp.” These “shrimp” are made from konjac (a type of yam) and taro (a type of root vegetable), and perfectly recreate the springy and plump nature of actual shrimp. Even if you have a shellfish allergy, you can enjoy these!
NEO Shinjuku Atsushi is not only a great option for those looking for safe vegan options, but a memorable dining experience in a totally unique atmosphere!
Delicious vegan rice bowls and take-out sweets in Shibuya: Cosme Kitchen Adaptation
“Cosme Kitchen Adaptation” in Shibuya offers such a wide variety of vegan dishes, you may not know where to start. If you’re looking for a little bit of everything, their aptly named “All In One Bowl” is highly recommended. This dish includes nearly 20 types of seasonal vegetables, grilled and steamed to bring out their optimum texture and flavor.
The bowl is topped by a homemade dressing that blends grated apple, onion, rice oil, and beet sugar. Chickpea falafel, quinoa, and hummus round out the bowl’s array of delicious flavor.
Another delectable bowl on the menu is the “Fried Soy Meat Rice Bowl Japanese ‘Nambam’ Style.” This bowl serves up fried soy meat coated in a sweet and tangy balsamic vinegar-based sauce, and even features a vegetable-based tartar sauce.
Customers can also enjoy take-out vegan and gluten-free sweets. For a boatload of vegan options in Shibuya, be sure to swing by Cosme Kitchen Adaptation.
Refreshing vegan ramen in Asakusa: Asakusa Nadai Ramen Yoroiya
“Asakusa Nadai Ramen Yoroiya” is an Asakusa hot spot, always drawing a line of local and international tourists alike. One reason for that is the restaurant’s incredibly refreshing “Vegan Ramen.” Made with a vegetable-based broth infused with a touch of umami from kombu (kelp), its distinct sweetness will have you wanting to finish every drop of soup!
The ramen is topped with thickly fried tofu, bamboo shoots, carrots, and sweet potatoes. The addition of yuzu citrus adds a layer of refreshing aftertaste to the ramen’s vegetable-derived sweetness, making this a truly rewarding bowl!
While Asakusa Nadai Ramen Yoroiya has a respected image as a traditional ramen eatery, their flexible attitude in taking on vegan ramen makes them a welcoming visit for anyone in search of vegan noodles!
Vegan izakaya with karaage fried chicken in Shibuya: Vegan Izakaya Masaka
No trip to Japan is complete without making a stop at an izakaya, a traditional Japanese pub. “Vegan Izakaya Masaka” in Shibuya offers a vegan-friendly izakaya experience that makes no compromise in terms of flavor or atmosphere!
Karaage fried chicken is a staple of many izakaya in Japan. Unfortunately, it’s usually off-limits for vegan diners. That’s not so at Vegan Izakaya Masaka, however! Their carefully crafted soy meat karaage perfectly recreates the satisfying bite of this Japanese pub classic!
The soy meat karaage is exceptionally juicy. Customers can add another layer of flavor to it from a choice of five sauces. These include “Terimayo,” a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce mixed with vegan mayonnaise, and “Sichuan mala,” a spicy blend of chili oil and soy sauce. The restaurant’s most popular is their Tartare sauce (“Nanban tartar” in Japanese). This tangy plant-based sauce pairs perfectly with a bowl of rice!
While izakaya often have some limited options that satisfy vegan needs, Vegan Izakaya Masaka is one where customers don’t have to parse the menu to find something to satisfy them, and can order with peace of mind!
Whether you’re craving sushi, ramen, or a cozy izakaya experience, these plant-based options showcase the creativity and diversity of modern Japanese cuisine. With each meal, you’ll discover that being vegan in Tokyo is not just possible, but also an adventure full of delicious surprises.
