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! Sushi and onigiri are widely available across Japan, but when you’re out and about, only plain rice onigiri would be suitable. For vegan sushi, you’ll need to visit specific restaurants.
Watch out: Natto, cucumber, and inari sushi are often available in shops however, 99% will contain dashi (fish stock). Check out my convenience store guide to see what’s readily available.
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, tempura is vegetables and seafood coated in a light, crispy batter and deep-fried.
Why you’ll love it
Tempura is crispy and flavoursome, often served with a side of salt to sprinkle, and sometimes even matcha salt. My favourite is kabocha (pumpkin) tempura, which has a sweet taste with a soft interior and a crunchy exterior.
Tip: Vegetable tempura is commonly found in restaurants and shops, but be aware that egg is often used in the batter, so you’ll need to watch out for that.
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
Curry might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Japanese food, but it’s actually quite popular here! Many restaurants offer vegan curry, and supermarkets carry a variety of curry cubes to make at home.
The most easily accessible and affordable vegan curry you can find (to make at home) is the Daiso brand, priced at just ¥100 (plus tax). To make it heartier, I like to add potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, and tofu–sometimes swapping the tofu for dehydrated soy chunks.
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’ll likely see them displayed in restaurants and think they’re safe to eat, but unless it specifically says so, the broths usually contain fish stock, so you’ll need to be cautious
If you’re in Osaka, I’d recommend going here!
Vegan options:
Osaka – Genji-soba
Hachioji – Takao-san has 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. THE 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 savoury Japanese pancake consisting of batter, cabbage, and normally meat and or seafood.
Why you’ll love it
It’s sweet, savoury, smokey, with a crispy outside and a creamy flavour. I used to (before being vegan) visit 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. A great snack on the go, you can pick them up at any konbini.
Tip: The only safe option at a convenience store is the salted onigiri. While ume (pickled plum), kombu (seaweed) may seem vegan, they often contain dashi. Even if the ingredients list looks fine, the labelling laws here are different, and fish stock used in the flavourings may not be listed.
Vegan Option:
Tokyo – Omusubi Gonbei
10. Gyoza (餃子)
What is it?
Gyoza are dumplings typically filled with meat, mushrooms, and cabbage.
Why you’ll love it
They’re bite-sized little parcels of happiness with crispy outer and delicious filling. You can enjoy them fried or boiled, and they’re perfect when 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?
Omurice is a popular Japanese dish made of omelette over ketchup-flavoured rice. It’s something you wouldn’t expect to have a vegan-friendly option, but luckily, a few places offer plant-based versions.
Why you’ll love it
A soft ‘egg’ topping over slightly sweet ketchup rice–it’s such a delicious combo! I used to LOVE omurice. It was one of my childhood favourites, and I would always order it whenever it was on the menu. So I’m thrilled that a vegan version now exists!
Vegan Option:
Kyoto – Choice
Tokyo – 2Foods
13. Natto (納豆)
What is it?
A classic Japanese breakfast dish, natto is made from fermented soybeans and served over rice. It 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 personally love natto, but if you haven’t grown up eating it, it might be an acquired taste. That said, it’s a must-try Japanese dish if you get the chance to. If you stay at a traditional inn or a Japanese hotel with a breakfast buffet, chances are they’ll have it on offer. I usually enjoy eating natto mixed with soy sauce and a sprinkle of sugar over rice.
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 buy a pack of natto from a supermarket or convenience store, it usually comes with a pack of mustard and soy sauce. Be aware that the soy sauce often contains fish stock, 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- you have 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, made with plant-based, seasonal ingredients. These meals are often vegetarian and vegan-friendly, typically including rice, miso soup and a variety of tofu and vegetable dishes.
Why you’ll love it
It’s a fantastic way to experience traditional Japanese cuisine and explore unique flavours, small dishes, and ingredient combinations you might not encounter elsewhere.
Tip: While Shojin Ryori should be vegan, as bonito dashi is widely used in Japan so you’ll need to check that nothing contains fish dashi.
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 or 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.
Tip: Once again, you’ll have to check that the sauces to coat mochi do not contain dashi.
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!
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 that 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? Its bakeries! Cakes and baked goods might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Japanese food, but trust me, they do it so well here. Japan has a unique selection of baked goods with flavours and pairings you won’t find anywhere else.
You have to add a good bakery or cafe to your itinerary when you visit! I especially hope you get to try curry pan and melon pan–they’re absolute must-tries!
Take a look at the 7 best vegan bakeries in Tokyo!
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!
