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Where to Eat Vegan Japanese Food in Tokyo

From plant-based izakaya to soba with a jazz twist, here's where to find vegetarian Japanese food in Tokyo By Lisa Buckland Vegan Ramen from T's Tantan (© Elmastudio) You'd think a country famous for shojin ryori (Buddhist temple cuisine) would be packed with vegan options. But finding good vegetarian Japanese food in Tokyo can still feel like a bit of a scavenger hunt—especially if you're after something more traditional than falafel or fake cheese pizza. Lucky for you, I've done the legwork. From fully vegan izakaya to jazz bar soba joints, here are eight Tokyo spots where you can eat Japanese food without the fish flakes, dashi or mystery meat. Kanji & Japanese Words to Know If you're hunting for vegetarian Japanese food in Tokyo, it helps to recognize a few key words—menus don't always have full English translations, and even when they do, fish-based broth can slip in unnoticed. Here are some terms worth learning: Basic Vocabulary: ビーガン – Vegan ベジタリアン – Vegetarian 卵不使用（たまごふしよう / tamago fushiyō ）– Egg-free. 乳製品不使用（にゅうせいひんふしよう / nyūseihin fushiyō ）– Dairy-free. 動物性不使用（どうぶつせいふしよう / dōbutsusei fushiyō ） – No animal products used. だし（ dashi ）– Japanese soup stock. Usually made with katsuobushi (bonito flakes) or kombu (kelp). 魚（さかな / sakana) – fish 肉（にく / niku) – meat 卵（たまご / tamago) – egg Basic Questions to Ask ヴィーガンのメニューがありますか？ (Vīgan no menyū ga arimasu ka?) Do you have a vegan menu? これはヴィーガンですか？ (Kore wa vīgan desu ka?) Is this vegan? 魚のだしが入っていますか？ (Sakana no dashi ga haitte imasu ka?) Does this have fish stock? 肉、魚、卵、乳製品は入っていますか？ (Niku, sakana, tamago, nyūseihin wa haitte imasu ka?) Does this contain meat, fish, eggs or dairy? 動物性の材料は使っていますか？ (Dōbutsusei no zairyō wa tsukatte imasu ka?) Are there any animal products used? Responses You Might Hear 入っていません (Haitte imasen) – It doesn't contain it. 入っています (Haitte imasu) – It does contain it. わかりません (Wakarimasen) – I'm not sure. How to Say What You Don't Eat 肉を食べません。 (Niku o tabemasen.) – I don't eat meat. 魚は食べません。 (Sakana o tabemasen.) – I don't eat fish. ヴィーガンです。 (Vīgan desu.) – I'm vegan. ベジタリアンです。 (Bejitarian desu.) – I'm vegetarian. 1. Izakaya Masaka – All-Vegan Menu View this post on Instagram A post shared by ヴィーガン 居酒屋 真さか (@vegan_izakaya_masaka) Located in the middle of Shibuya, Izakaya Masaka serves up classic Izakaya dishes. Think deep friend mushrooms, vegetable tempura, pickled veggies, vegan karaage and gyoza. The fried 'chicken' here is crispy on the outside, juicy inside and pretty close to the real deal. They don't accept reservations so arrive early. Location: Shibuya Parco B1 15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku Opening Times: Mon – Sun, 12 – 9pm Website: IG @vegan_izakaya_masaka 2. AFURI – Rainbow Vegan Ramen AFURI is a ramen chain with several Tokyo locations, and while not every bowl is vegetarian, their Rainbow Vegan Ramen is worth the hunt. The broth is fully plant-based and packed with flavor, paired with chewy lotus root noodles and a colorful load of fresh veggies. 3. Jikasei Men sho – Spicy Vegan Tantanmen Done Right Along with regular meat-based options, Jikasei Mensho offers three types of vegan ramen with one spicy mission: to turn heads with heat. Jikasei Mensho doesn't mess around with their vegan tantanmen (ヴィーガン担々麺)—it's rich, warming and comes with just the right numbing kick. Also available: vegan miso ramen (ヴィーガン味噌らぁめん) and soup-less tantanmen (ヴィーガン汁なし担々麺). Location: Shibuya PARCO Shibuya Parco B1 15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku Opening Times: 11am – 11pm Website: 4. Vegan Bistro Jangara – Comfort Food in Harajuku This is what happens when a famous tonkotsu ramen chain decides to go vegan. You'll find ramen, gyoza and all the familiar izakaya-style hits—just meat- and fish-free. The vibe is low-key and welcoming, and it's one of the more foreigner-friendly spots in Harajuku for plant-based eats. 5. T's Restaurant – From Sweets to Soy-Based Meats This is a go-to for plant-based comfort food. The Jiyugaoka flagship is a full-service restaurant offering soy-meat dishes, tomato ramen, soba, Japanese-style curry and probably one of the only places in Tokyo to enjoy an entirely vegan afternoon tea set. The Tokyo Station outpost, T's TanTan Gransta Tokyo (inside the JR ticket gates), is best for a fast bowl on the go. 6. Vegan Izakaya Nowhere – Sumo-Side Plant-Based Pub Hidden in a quiet corner of Asakusa near Senso-ji Temple and Tokyo Skytree, Nowhere is a full-on izakaya with a completely vegan menu. That includes sauces and broths, rare in Japan. Dishes are made in-house featuring tofu cutlets, yuzu gyoza, pickled plates and Japanese drinks. It's a local favorite that feels like a little secret. 7. Vegan Soba Tokyo Ayler – Soba, Jazz, Coffee View this post on Instagram A post shared by PEOPLE'S ROASTERY (@people_813) Ayler is tiny—no seats and all standing, but big on flavor all the same. The vibe is friendly, trendy and very Shimokitazawa, complete with jazz records spinning in the background. Their standout is a rich, kombu-based tempura soba with kakiage-style fritters. Add a creamy oat milk latte to the mix and you've got one of the most unique vegan dining experiences in Tokyo. Check their monthly schedule on Instagram for special events and pop-ups like plant-based breakfasts and philosophy reading circles. Location: 4-24-15 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku Opening Times: Varies, check Ayler's official Instagram account below. Website: @__ayler__ 8. Vegan Sushi Tokyo – A Fish-Free Sushi Experience View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vegan A Bit Of All (@veganabitofall) This Shibuya sushi bar is raising the bar for vegan sushi in Japan. Think marinated eggplant 'tuna,' burdock root rolls, and colorful nigiri topped with seasoned tofu or avocado. You'll need to book online via the website below and arrive on time. P.S. They also have a Kyoto location! Extras We Love: Falafel Brothers A Tokyo vegan go-to, Falafel Brothers dispels the notion that veganism has to be expensive and can't be fast food. Having opened their first store in Roppongi, Falafel Brothers has spread across the capital and now has stores in Ebisu and, most recently, in Shibuya Parco, too. Foreigners in Tokyo will know it's difficult to find good falafel and hummus, but if you're craving some Middle Eastern flavors, head to Falafel Brothers. They also create crispy vegan karaage which makes you feel like you're eating chicken with none of the guilt. Check here for a full review. Fico and Pomum Juice, Aoyama With the slogan 'healthy fast food,' Fico and Pomum Juice provides exactly that—speedy food and drink that's good for your body and mind. Tokyo may seem like it's lacking in juice bars vis-a-vis other global cities like New York, Sydney or London, but Fico and Pomum fills this gap in the market with a wide range of fruit and vegetable smoothies, raw juices, a range of almond/soy lattes—the beet latte is a personal favorite—and even hot smoothies. If you're feeling peckish, they offer a selection of sandwiches, though not all vegan-friendly, as well as granola bowls and parfaits, but it's really the juices that shine here. BiO Cafe, Shibuya BiO Cafe is an easy-to-miss small vegan cafe located in the hilly side streets of Shibuya. Attached to the cafe is a mini storefront bakery where you can bring desserts and breads home. The cafe offers a wide range of food items and lunch sets, including a course meal for celebrations, but it's really the desserts you should come for. The sweets are delicious, decadent and so close to the original, you think they couldn't possibly be vegan. The pumpkin tofu cake is the perfect fall or winter dessert and all their desserts are served with a light, dairy-free whipped cream. With the kitchen behind a glass partition, you can watch the chefs hard at work, producing the delectable bites you're about to enjoy. Joining the bagel trend in Japan, BiO Cafe has an extensive selection of flavored bagels as well as macrobiotic sweets.