Sushi, grilled eel bowls, ramen and fried chicken are all standard Japanese dishes that vegans might want to try or miss eating. The restaurants on this list have it all covered. But fret not, there’s food from other countries in Asia and beyond, too. Whether you are starving or just want a quick bite, here you can find everything from full-course meals to sandwiches.
For those with a sweet tooth, many of these places offer satisfying desserts and there are a couple of places that specialize in just that.
1. Kappo Ise Sueyoshi (Hiroo)
© Photo by Kappo Ise SueyoshiOn the last Sunday of every month, this restaurant suspends its regular menu and serves only vegan kaiseki (a traditional Japanese course meal). Much like Japanese food in general, kaiseki items are typically quite heavy on vegetables, which are often prepared using fish stock. There are also usually meat and fish dishes included. Outside of this Sunday Vegan Challenge, the restaurant also caters to vegans, vegetarians and people who eat halal food for regular reservations. Bookings must be made at least 10 days in advance, at which time special requests can be made.
- Price: ¥16,000
- Address: Mizuno Building, 4-2-15 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
2. Masaka (Shibuya)
Izakaya—the place to practice your boldest “sumimasen (excuse me)” aided by an array of alcoholic beverages and to dig into all kinds of fried foods. Masaka, located in the basement of department store Parco is no different, except all the foods are vegan. The karaage (Japanese fried chicken) using soy meat is quite popular, with other items on the menu including noodles, deep-fried eggplant, spring rolls and gyoza.
- Price: Varied from ¥400–¥1,600
- Address: 15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
3. Vegan Ramen Uzu Tokyo
© Photo by Vegan Ramen Uzu TokyoLocated in the plaza of teamLab Planets Toyosu Tokyo, this ramen experience is unique to anyone. Green tea ramen and a chilled ramen bowl with edible flowers are two standout items here. In addition to the ramen, ice cream on the menu includes green tea pistachio and drinks include a roasted green tea latte made with rice milk. Although fun too, you don’t have to visit or pay the entry into the museum to access the restaurant.
- Price: Ramen starts at ¥1,320
- Address: teamLab Planets TOKYO, 6-1-16 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo
4. Down to Plant (Roppongi)
Don’t underestimate vegan salad, this new spot goes beyond tossed lettuce and tomato. The tofu genovese bowl here has grilled tofu steak, multi-grain rice, grilled pumpkin, red onions, marinated hijiki seaweed and marinated carrots too. The restaurant serves hearty pescatarian and omnivore options as well but most menu items are vegan.
- Price: Varies from ¥1,180–¥1,400, drinks and additional toppings cost extra
- Address: Trusty Building, 7−3−13 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
5. Soleil Global Café and Dining (Hibiya)
Everybody, regardless of origin, can enjoy eating food at the same table. That’s Soleil’s philosophy, which has resulted in a diverse menu with items including a potato and vegan cheese dish from Bhutan called datshi. Vegan items are clearly marked on the menu and halal food is also available.
- Price: Varies; Datshi: ¥1,200, vegan pizza: ¥1,900
- Address: Hibiya Okuroji, 1-7-1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
6. Loving Hut (Jimbocho)
For Taiwanese-inspired vegan food, the Loving Hut Tokyo branch is the place to be. Offering up what’s termed oriental vegan food, Loving Hut typically doesn’t use garlic, onion, chives or leeks. But you can still ask if you want your food to be cooked with those seasonings. Favorites include the grilled “eel” rice bowl, dragon rolls and steamed “meat” buns.
- Price: Varies; Grilled eel bowl: ¥800; dragon roll: ¥700, vegetable bun: ¥200
- Address:1-54 Kandajinbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
7. Koukien (Yokohama)
© Photo by KoukienLocated in Chinatown in Yokohama, this Taiwanese restaurant has plenty of vegan and vegetarian options on the menu. Vegan shrimp and vegetables, vegan fried mackerel, at least four kinds of fried rice and soy milk spicy noodles are just some of what’s on offer. For the holiday season, you can order a vegan Christmas cake or vegan osechi (traditional Japanese New Year foods).
- Price: Varies from ¥ 400–¥3,500
- Address: 106 Yamashitacho, Naka Ward, Yokohama
8. Shiro (Jiyugaoka)
© Photo by ShiroCosmetics maker Shiro runs this all-vegan cafe and uses some of its beauty product ingredients in the food. The “meat” sauce pasta, for example, uses sake kasu (a by-product from the making of sake) and gagome kombu (a kind of kelp) thought to help protect against stress.
- Price: ¥Varies from 1,210–¥1,815
- Address: 2-9-14 Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
9. Shochikuen Cafe (Asakusa)
The rainbow cake is the main pull at this all-vegan gluten-free cafe. But if you’re not quite in a multicolored mood, other items such as tiramisu and strawberry shortcake are available too. For a savory break, try the new-kuman (steamed bun), or one of the burgers and choose from a variety of extras like chickpea tempeh or smoked soy meat. Smoothies, teas and coffee are also available.
- Price: Varies from ¥580–¥1180
- Address: 2 -7-6 Nishiasakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
10. Marbre Vegan (Shinjuku)
With cakes, tarts and puddings, this little cafe near Shinjuku Gyoen serves everything you would expect to find in a cake shop. What you don’t often find in vegan shops are fruit sandwiches; a Japanese specialty made with fresh fruits and whipped cream. Vegan versions are available at this cafe on the second and fourth Friday of every month. There’s also a savory sandwich day on occasion. For the holiday season, Marbre Vegan will have stollen and Christmas cakes available.
- Price: ¥495 – ¥4380
- Address: 1F Parkside Square, 2-1-5 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Finding vegan restaurants in Tokyo
Websites such as Happy Cow and Vegewel are great for finding restaurants. The Vegan Restaurant Guidebook by the Japan Vegan Society is quite handy too. It was published in 2021 and although one or two of the approximately 100 listed restaurants have closed, the information is pretty current. There’s also a free 2022-2023 Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurant guide by the Tokyo Convention and Visitors Bureau.
If you’re looking for the vegan community in Tokyo the Tokyo Vegan Meetup hold great catchup picnics and other events around the city almost every week too.
Whether you’re a vegan looking for a place to eat in Tokyo, or just someone looking to try something new, there’s no harm in trying vegan, so why not give it a shot? Where are your favorite vegan eats in Tokyo? Let us know in the comments below.