Tokyo Vegan Guide

If you’re craving some Japanese-style eats, Nagi Shokudo (15–10 Uguisudani-cho, Shibuya, Tokyo) is a great place to start. Everything on the menu is strictly vegan so you don’t have to worry. They serve meals like the Nagi A Plate, which includes brown rice, two small side dishes, pickled vegetables, soup, and soy sauce, while the Nagi Lunch Plate has three side dishes (you can choose from the 13 sides they offer), brown rice, vegan miso soup, and pickled vegetables. Aside from the set meals, they also serve vegan curry (if you’re into something spicy), vegan desserts, organic coffee, and even beer. The choices are endless and all are exquisitely delicious. Besides the food, you can also enjoy the warm and welcoming atmosphere inside the restaurant, making you feel as if you’re just at the comforts of your own home. A great place for big groups or maybe for some alone time.

Extremely popular and probably one of the most go-to restaurants in the city is AIN SOPH.Ripple (2–46–8 Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo). AIN SOPH.Ripple is a satisfying place to swing by if you’re craving for some good and healthy burgers. A lot of people are still skeptical when it comes to vegan diet and thinks that most of the time the serving portions are small but in here, you may be tempted to convert to veganism by how delicious and large the portions they offer are. They serve huge burgers with even hefty servings of sides. Their bestseller is they Crispy Chicken Burger which is made by using soy meat and seitan (gluten meat) and it gives off that authentic chicken texture. They also serve salad bowls, burritos, and desserts which are all great for sharing. It also doesn’t hurt that the place gives off that chill vibe, making it a great place for those who want to unwind and share thoughtful conversations with family and friends.

Owned by the same people behind the T’s Tan Tan, another favorite is T’s (2 Chome-9–6 Jiyugaoka, Meguro, Tokyo). They have a wide variety in their menu and all dishes are carefully prepared and made special for vegans. You can sample their simple yet delicious salad which is surprisingly good with a serving of vegan gyoza. Other popular dishes on their menu are their hot and tasty hamburger hotpot accompanied with brown rice and a serving of their heavenly crispy General Tso’s chicken stir-fry dish. End your meal with their sinful crème brulee which is probably one of the highlights in T’s. Light and not at all greasy, every dish is bursting with different flavors and texture. Drop by and sample some of the best vegan dishes in the city at T’s.

If you’re into something light, but filling, then you have to definitely try Falafel Brothers (5–1–10 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo). Its main business is for takeout but if you want to hang around and savor every bite of your food, you can take one of the few seats they have inside the shop. With reasonable prices and generous portions, it’s no surprise that a lot of people go here for a quick and satisfying meal. They have different toppings every day so you can sample each one of them every time. You can experiment with your toppings but can always ask suggestions from the people behind the counter. Everything is made fresh and available for guests to order.

A new face which serves tasty dishes made from organic hemp ingredients and products is Hemp Café (3–17–14–8F Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo). Established last 2017, Hemp Café has been making big waves in the sea of vegan restaurants. They use hemp seeds, hemp protein, and hemp oil in their food and desserts. You can find tasty tacos and nachos which you can pair with their rather unusual and intriguing cannabis beer. There’s also nori rolls, light and delicious salads, roasted vegetables, burritos and raw cake. If you’re craving something sweet, they have their signature light and fluffy raw pancakes, one of their most popular items. They also have refillable lemon infused water. You name it, they probably have it. The place is also spot-on, warm and welcoming with soft brown hues and comfy seating.

Served buffet style, Kaemon Asakusa (3F Vision center Asakusa, Hanakawado 1–9–1 Taito-ku, Tokyo) is like a breath of fresh air for vegans. Everything served here, from food to drinks, are all organic. They use the freshest vegetables, grains, nuts, and beans. This affordable yet healthy buffet-style restaurant is popular among vegans and non-vegans because of their fantastic selection of food and drinks. And even though you pile up different foods on your plate, everything seems to work! The place is also great with its white walls, quiet music, and peaceful atmosphere.

Originally published at tokyobyfood.com on June 6, 2018.