Hive Life spotlights some of the local favourite vegetarian and vegan spots in Tokyo serving up nutritious and delicious plant-based delights.
Despite the growing demand and love for vegan food around the globe, finding plant-based cuisine in Tokyo can still be a tricky task. While the city is still new to plant-based concepts, it has come a long way, serving locals an array of restaurants with vibrant and scrumptious vegan and vegetarian delights, each with its own unique flair.
In this guide, Hive Life introduces the must-try vegetarian and vegan eateries in Tokyo serving healthy and scrumptious food that is sure to delight!
Best Vegan Spots in Tokyo
Vegan Ramen Uzu TOKYO
Hailing from Kyoto, home to some of the best ramen spots in Japan, Vegan Ramen Uza TOKYO soon made its way to the nation’s capital, serving delicious vegan flavours in a steaming hot bowl of ramen. An incredible vegan concept developed by digital art collective teamLab, visitors can enjoy an array of rich and flavoursome vegan dishes, while partaking in the immersive art exhibition featured in the space.
This unique restaurant is a must-visit for ramen lovers and vegans in the city, with every batch of their ramen broth prepared using plant-based ingredients only, with a mixture of Rausu kelp, Japanese shiitake mushrooms, and other fresh vegetables. While enjoying their meals, customers can choose to dine in at their diverse interactive art spaces including the Reversible Rotation – Non-Objective Space, One Stroke Bench, and Table of Sky and Fire.
Insider’s Tip: Try the Cold Flower Vegan Ramen from their limited edition menu inspired by their artwork, Floating Flower Garden, offering a nice blend of rich, piquant flavours in a chilled vegan broth.
Address: 135-0061 Tokyo, Koto City, Toyosu, 6 Chome−1−16 teamLab Planets Tokyo
Open From: Mon-Sun 10:30am-7pm
Falafel Brothers
Looking to get an authentic taste of hearty Mediterranean cuisine with a vegan flair? Falafel Brothers is hailed as one of the most buzzing vegan restaurants in Tokyo. As the name suggests, falafel is the staple of most of their dishes and what keeps the crowd coming back for more. Piping-hot, well-seasoned, and herbaceous falafel served with a side of fresh and vibrant vegetables is what makes their sandwich rolls and salad bowls so special. In addition to the delicious sandwiches and hummus platters, customers can also enjoy many other vegan drinks and desserts.
Insider’s Tip: This vegan spot is ideal for a quick lunch stop, offering an amazing deal on the “Brothers’s SET” that comes with a main dish, one drink, and a choice of french fries or soup.
Address: 5 Chome-1-10 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0032, Japan (Click here for more locations)
Open From: Mon-Sat 11am-9pm; Sun 11:30am-5pm
Sasaya Cafe
Sasaya Cafe is a hip and modern cafe that caters to diverse palates, vegan or not, delivering wholesome plant-based food and desserts. Their dishes incorporate organic ingredients sourced from local pesticide-free farms, using refined seasonings and intricate flavourings. Among their many delightful dishes, the Indian curry with breaded and fried tempeh embodies the authentic flavours and spices of the mixed cuisine it offers, served with a choice of two curries, brown rice, and salad. Moreover, customers can enjoy freshly made in-house muffins, scones, and vegetable bread until 11 am daily.
Insider’s Tip: The cafe aims to reduce the usage of single-use plastic products, so remember to bring your own eco-friendly box and bag for leftovers or takeout.
Address: 1 Chome-1-10 Yokokawa, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0003, Japan
Open From: Mon-Sun 8:30am-6pm
8ablish
Located on a side street in Aoyama, 8ablish is an airy cafe offering flavourful and colourful vegan delicacies from pastas and pancakes, to ice cream, and more! Infusing Italian and Mediterranean flavours, this eatery is ideal for yogis and health-conscious individuals who relish full-course vegan meal experiences. Start off your meal with a set of their sumptuous appetisers from their artsy palette of seasonal veggies, then move on to enjoy one of their customer favourites, the souvlaki set with potage and skewers concocted with a myriad of creative flavours and amazing fragrances. Savour their unique organic wine while enjoying relaxing Jazz music in the background.
Insider’s Tip: 8ablish is known for its delicious vegan ice creams, as well as other sweet delights. Upon visiting the cafe, try their newest addition- the vegan blueberry ice cream to cool off this summer!
Address: 5-10-17-2F Minamiaoyama Minato-ku Tokyo 107-0062
Open From: 10am-6pm
Best Vegetarian Spots in Tokyo
Daigo
Daigo is a speciality Kaiseki restaurant serving shojin ryori meals in a traditional dining setting. Reintroducing Japanese Buddiest cuisine to the city, Daigo’s innovative chefs offer a contemporary twist on classic recipes creating a fusion of Japanese and Western flavours. The vegetarian kaiseki-style meals are prepared with a thoughtful selection of fresh ingredients that incorporate simple, subtle yet distinct flavourings, and a sublime presentation that is sure to leave an impression! Yet another reason to try the vegetarian spot, Daigo is the recipient of Two Michelin stars, recognised for its culinary expertise and incredible cultivation of vegetarian dishes.
Insider’s Tip: As some dishes may contain dried bonito and fried eggs, it is recommended that you inform your servers in advance of any dietary restrictions.
Address: 2-3-1 Atago, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-0002
Open From: 11:30-2pm, 5-8pm
Mushroom Tokyo
A hidden gem of a vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurant, Mushroom Tokyo is the first restaurant in all of Japan devoted to mushroom-based cuisine. In their own unique attempt to unlock the true essence and exotic flavours of raw mushrooms, the chef here experiments and infuses different kinds of locally sourced fungi into their well-made and truly astonishing vegetarian delights. The restaurant’s newly curated “Special Course” dinner menu is filled with many surprises, seasonings, and luxurious dishes, featuring items including their pickled mushrooms- made using soy milk cream and mushroom pickles, the jumbo mushroom plancha- a spicy yet delectable platter, and the immoveable – smoked mushrooms and beet tartare, a must-try dish.
Insider’s Tip: The Special Course is reservation only, so remember to book your table beforehand via their website.
Address: 1F, 6-2-4 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Open From: Wed-Sun: 11:30am–3pm, 6–10pm; Mon-Tues: Closed
Best Vegan-Friendly Spot in Tokyo
Sushi Gonpachi Shibuya
Finding a vegan sushi spot in Tokyo is no easy task, and while some may still be new to the concept, this non-vegan restaurant, Sushi Gonpachi Shibuya, presents a scope of innovative and experimental vegan-friendly ingredients. Located in bustling Shibuya, the restaurant is well-renowned for its deluxe dining experiences and upscale dishes, especially their succulent sushi rolls.
Introducing its newly curated “Vegan Menu” to serve the diverse dietary needs of its customers, Gonpachi carries a wide variety of vegan delights from the vegan nigiri set, to the exquisite grilled vegetable skewers, assorted vegetable tempura, and more.
Insider’s Tip: Reserve your spot in advance to dine by the beautiful city skyline and enjoy their unforgettable vegan sushi crafted by their in-house chef.
Address: Japan, 150-0044 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Maruyamacho, 3−6 E 14F
Open From: 5pm-2am
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