When you think of Japanese food, a few things probably pop into your mind like sushi and ramen. Whilst Japan is filled with unique and delicious foods, unfortunately as a vegan, we can’t just go and eat them.
Because Japanese cuisine holds a special place in my heart and I don’t want you to miss out on amazing experiences, I researched vegan alternatives for well-known foods.
Here is my ultimate guide on foods you should try when you visit!
No more missing out!
1. Ramen (ラーメン)
What is it?
A noodle dish in broth, you can literally get anywhere in Japan – (vegan versions are not as readily available but still plenty of options!). It’s such a versatile dish with many options for toppings and the flavours are endless.
Why you’ll love it
I’ve had SO MANY delicious bowls of vegan ramen in Tokyo. They can be salty, spicy, creamy, rich, and comforting – I LOVE RAMEN!! I like to have mine with a small bowl of rice to dip into the broth – you will be very full, but also very happy!
Vegan options:
Tokyo – T’s Tantan
Tokyo – Vegan Bistro Jangara
2. Sushi (寿司 or 鮨)
What is it?
When people think of sushi, they think of fish, but that’s not the case. Sushi literally means vinegared rice and there are quite a few places you can get vegan sushi.
Why you’ll love it
It’s healthy, fresh, and delicious! You can get sushi at a number of restaurants or pick them up at a supermarket or konbini if you’re on the go.
Tip: Natto, cucumber, and inari sushi usually are available from the shops, but just have to be careful about the fish stock that may be used.
Vegan options:
Tokyo – Vegan Monkey Magic
Tokyo – Gonpachi
Osaka – Sushi Roll Double Quotation IKI
Kyoto – Vegan Uzu
3. Tempura (天ぷら)
What is it?
Typically vegetables and seafood, battered and deep-fried.
Why you’ll love it
My favourite is kabocha (pumpkin) tempura, it has a sweet taste with a soft inside and a crunchy outer.
Tip: It’s very common to see vegetable tempura around shops and restaurants but, you just have to make sure egg is not used in the batter!
Vegan options:
Osaka – Genji -soba
Hiroshima – Yamaichi Bekkan
Tokyo – Gonpachi
4. Curry (カレー)
What is it?
Japanese curry is sweeter, thicker, and not as spicy as its Indian counterpart.
Why you’ll love it
Probably not the first thing you think of when you think of Japanese food but, curry is big here! In the supermarkets, you can find many different options for curry cubes. The one I buy is super cheap, tasty and lasts about three meals. I like to put potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli and tofu in mine.
Vegan option:
All over – Coco Ichibanya
Tokyo – Soup Stock Tokyo
Tokyo – T’s Restaurant
5 & 6. Soba (そば or 蕎麦) and Udon (うどん or 饂飩)
What is it?
Soba noodles are buckwheat noodles, and udon noodles are chewy thicker noodles made from wheat flour – both can also be eaten hot or cold.
Why you’ll love it
They’re healthy, fresh and delicious without leaving you feeling heavy.
Tip: You will most probably see them in a restaurant display and think it looks ok to eat. Unless it specifically says so, the broths used will have fish stock in them so you have to be careful.
If you’re in Osaka, I’d recommend going here!
Vegan options:
Osaka – Genji-soba
Hachioji – Takao-san they have a separate vegan menu
Tokyo – Shoujin Handmade Soba-noodle Shop ASAHI
Hachioji – Yakuō-in Daihonbō
Hiroshima – Taiko udon
7. Kaarage (唐揚げ)
What is it?
Typically marinated chicken, coated in flour and deep fried.
Why you’ll love it
It’s super crispy with a juicy and soft inside. A perfect item to eat when you fancy eating “dirty” food.
Would 100% recommend coming here!
Vegan Option:
Tokyo – Izakaya Masaka
8. Okonomiyaki (お好み焼き)
What is it?
Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savoury pancake consisting of batter, cabbage, and normally meat, and or seafood.
Why you’ll love it
It’s sweet, savoury and smokey, crispy outside with a creamy flavour. I used to go to an Okonomiyaki restaurant with my dad, where you sit on the floor and make it yourself on a hot plate. Depending on what region you go to, they have different ways of eating it. You always top the okonomiyaki with brown okonomiyaki sauce (similar to Worcestershire sauce) and mayonnaise!
Vegan Options:
Osaka – Oko Okonomiyaki
Tokyo – Yasai Izakaya genki
Hiroshima – Nagataya
Kyoto – Gion Tanto
9. Onigiri (お握り or 御握り)
What is it?
Onigiri is a rice ball, they can have a filling on the inside, be lightly salted and or be wrapped in seaweed.
Why you’ll love it
They’re simple but so yummy. It’s a great snack on the go and you can pick them up at any konbini.
Tip: The salted onigiris will always be safe, ume (pickled plum), kombu (seaweed), inari (rice inside deep-fried tofu pockets) and natto (fermented soybeans) may be ok but it depends on each store. Even if the ingredients list looks ok, the labelling laws are not the same here and often fish stock used in the flavouring will not be listed.
Vegan Option:
Tokyo – Omusubi Gonbei
10. Gyoza (餃子)
What is it?
Gyoza are dumpling typically filled with meat, mushrooms, and cabbage.
Why you’ll love it
They’re bite-sized little parcels of happiness with a crispy outer and delicious filling. You can have them fried or boiled and they are delicious dipped in a mix of soy sauce, sesame oil and a bit of spice if you like an extra kick. I used to make gyozas with my Baba (grandma), so they have a special place in my heart.
Vegan Options:
Osaka – Oko Okonomiyaki
Tokyo – Izakaya masaka
Tokyo – Vegan gyoza Yu
Tokyo – T’s Tantan
Tokyo – Ippudo
11. Yakisoba (焼きそば)
What is it?
A type of fried noodle dish, a common street food.
Why you’ll love it
Morish noodles in a slightly sweet, tangy and savoury brown sauce.
Vegan options:
Osaka – Oko Okonomiyaki
12. Omurice (オムライス)
What is it?
Omelette and, typically, ketchup rice. A popular dish in Japan that you wouldn’t think vegans would be able to eat as its egg, but there are a few places where we can try a plant-based version.
Why you’ll love it
A soft “egg” on top of slightly sweet ketchup rice, is such a delicious combo! I used to LOVE omurice. It was one of my childhood favourites and something I would always order if the restaurants had it on the menu – so I’m very pleased there is now a vegan version!
Vegan Option:
Kyoto – Choice
Tokyo – 2Foods
13. Natto (納豆)
What is it?
A Japanese dish people typically eat for breakfast on top of rice. It’s made from fermented soybeans and has a sticky texture, a pungent smell, and a peculiar taste.
Why you’ll love it
Haha, I know I’m not selling it! I like it but, you probably won’t if you haven’t grown up eating it. However, It’s a Japanese dish I think you should try. If you stay at a traditional inn or a Japanese hotel with a breakfast buffet, they will probably have it on offer. I typically like to eat natto mixed with soy sauce and a sprinkle of sugar on top of rice.
Note: If you’re super curious, you can get a natto maki, a type of sushi roll and packets of natto from most konbini and supermarkets. It typically comes with a sachet of mustard and soy sauce, most of the time fish stock is in the soy sauce so it’s best to avoid it.
14. Shabu shabu (しゃぶしゃぶ)
What is it?
Shabu shabu is a hot pot dish really popular here in Japan as well as in China and Korea. The name of this dish is the onomatopoeia of the food being dipped in and out of the hot pot. Typical meat, tofu, seaweed, cabbage, and mushroom are in this dish in a pot of flavoured broth, served with a side portion of rice.
Why you’ll love it
It’s warm, hearty and delicious. As well as being a meal, it’s also an experience. There are many restaurants dedicated to this dish in Japan.
Tip: Like a lot of things, you have to be careful about the ingredients in the broth- got to make sure there is no fish stock or meat in it.
Vegan Options:
Yasaiya Mei
Aen
Shabu Shabu Tajimay
Nabezo
MK Restaurant Shinjuku
Onyasai|
15. Kaiseki (懐石料理) or Shojin Ryori (精進料理)
What Is it?
Kaiseki Ryori is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner and Shojin Ryori is a traditional Buddhist meal eaten by monks, using plant-based and seasonal produce. Often, vegetarian and vegan friendly and typically includes rice, miso soup and a variety of tofu and vegetable dishes.
Why you’ll love it
It’s a great opportunity to try traditional Japanese foods and other small dishes, flavours and food combinations that you may not be able to try any other time.
Tip: Although Shojin Ryori’s should be vegan, because of how common bonito dashi is in everyday Japanese products, you’ll have to check no fish dashi is in the miso or any dipping sauces.
Vegan Options:
Tokyo – Komaki Shokudo
Tokyo – Shojin SOUGO
Tokyo – Izuchiku
16. Mochi (もち, 餅)
What is it?
Mochi, you’ve probably heard it, and maybe even tried it. It’s glutinous rice that can be enjoyed, savoury or sweet, you can have it in broths or eat it crunchy after being grilled. Mochi takes many shapes and forms.
Why you’ll love it
My favourite way to eat mochi is grilled – it balloons up and goes crunchy on the outside whilst the inside is still soft and chewy.
17. Dango (団子)
What is it?
Small balls of mochi, typically 3 and 4 on a skewer. Savoury ones are typically either grilled in soy sauce or miso and the sweet dangos are in a sweet soy sauce paste or topped with anko – red bean paste.
Why you’ll love it
They’re a great street snack! They’re chewy and delicious little balls of mochi. I prefer my dango to be savoury, the best ones are those that have been freshly made. They’re warm and slightly salty with a nice smoke to them.
18. Daifuku (大福)
What is it?
A type of wagashi – a Japanese traditional confectionary you pair with green tea. A dessert made from a ball of mochi, stuffed with anko and or a strawberry.
Why you’ll love it
The mochi normally comes in pink or white, which is quintessentially Japanese and wonderfully cute. Daifuku is sweet but not overly sweet with a nice chew to them.
Traditional Daifuku is always vegan, but some modern versions may use dairy for their fillings.
19. Taiyaki (たい焼き)
What is it?
Taiyaki is a common street snack in Japan. It’s a warm fish-shaped dessert commonly filled with red bean paste (anko). The name “Taiyaki” and the shape come from the fish tai (鯛, red sea bream) and yaki meaning cooking.
Why you’ll love it
First off, the fish shape is super kawaii, and secondly, it’s a warm cake-like dessert with sweet red bean paste in it, who doesn’t love that?!
Vegan Options:
Tokyo – Taiyaki Hiiragi
Tokyo – Nezu no Taiyaki 根津のたいやき
Sapporo – Tokachi Taiyaki
20. Parfait (パフェ)
What is it?
Layered dessert filled with fruit, cake, ice cream and cream.
Why you’ll love it
Whilst parfaits aren’t Japanese, they do some incredible ones here! Not only are they delicious, but they also look incredible too!
Vegan Options:
Tokyo – Wired Bonbon
Tokyo – 2Foods
21. Crepes (クレープ)
What is it?
A thin pancake filled with a sweet or savoury filling, typically rolled, so you can eat it whilst holding it.
Why you’ll love it
Walk down Takeshita Street or anywhere touristy in Japan and you will be greeted with a sweet scent and a glass cabinet filled with fake crepes with all the different filling options. Crepes are very popular here – my go-to was strawberry and bananas with cream and ice cream. It was only recently I discovered that we can get vegan ones!! How exciting 🙂
Vegan Options:
Kyoto – Waco crepes
Okinawa – Cafe Halcyon
Kochi – Solana Cafe
Tokyo – Tutto Vegan Gelato
22. Fruit sandwich (フルーツサンド)
What is it?
Ahhh my favourite is an Ichigo cream sando (strawberry cream sandwich), they’re super 懐かしい ‘Natsukashii’ to me (nostalgic/ something I have a fond memory of). They’re basically sandwiches filled with whipped cream and fruit in between fluffy and soft white bread.
Why you’ll love it
They’re fluffy, creamy, extremely sweet and delicious. I have a sweet tooth so they are everything and more I could ask for! You NEED to try them!
Vegan Options:
Tokyo – Komeda is
Tokyo – Hatoya Asakusa
Tokyo – Fruits and season
Tokyo – Hagan
23. Cakes (ケーキ) and other baked goods
One of Japan’s best-kept secrets are bakeries! Cakes and baked goods aren’t what automatically comes to mind when you think Japanese food but, my goodness they do it well here! Japan has an array of baked goods that are special to the country with unique flavours and pairings – You have to add a good bakery or cafe to your itinerary when you come here! Curry pan and melon pan are some things I hope you get to try!
Vegan Option:
Kanagawa – パンと野菜ao
Kanagawa – 24sekki
Tokyo – Universal Bakes and Cafe
Tokyo – MoreThan Bakery | Sunday 100% vegan
Tokyo – Mabre Vegan
Once you start researching, you realise there are far more vegan eateries out there than you think. Hopefully, you’ve discovered some new places and let me know of others I could add to this list!
