A little while back we visited Omiya in Saitama prefecture, to see its well-known bonsai collection. And after a busy day exploring the city, we were hungry and in need of dinner but didn’t fancy Coco’s curry that night. That’s when I found that Omiya had a ramen restaurant with one vegan option on its menu!
Omiya Bonsai Art Museum in Saitama is the world’s first public museum solely devoted to the traditional art of Bonsai. For only ¥310 you can have a look at their amazing collection and even come face to face with a 1000-year-old bonsai- It’s pretty incredible!
At a glance:
V/VO: Vegan options
Payment: Cash only
How to order: Order via a ticket machine
About Hinodeya ramen, Omiya (ひのでや大宮店)
Hinodeya has been in Saitama prefecture since 1855 when it was founded. This chain ramen shop started off as a small dining place run by a husband and wife team. It got transferred down over generations- currently in its fourth. They’ve become quite successful and even have a few stores across America.
Hinodeya Ramen restaurant
The space has a very typical Japanese ramen shop look to it. Not very big and with seating for maybe 10-15 people. You can see the chef cooking in the small kitchen, whilst sitting at the wooden counter seats. At the counter, you can put your bag in a basket under your chair and help yourself to chopsticks, napkins and water at the self-serve counter.
This ramen shop felt like a truly traditional Japanese restaurant just like the Izakaya Masaka or Genji soba I visited previously. Being vegan limits you on where you can eat and sometimes may feel that you’re missing out on the “real Japan” so it’s nice to be able to come somewhere where the locals would eat too.
How to order at Hinodeya Ramen
Like a lot of traditional Japanese restaurants, you order and pay for your ramen at the vending machine. You insert the money, push on your choice, and then it produces a ticket with your order.
You sit down after receiving your ticket and the chef will take it from you after confirming your order. The two times I have visited, the machine would only take ¥1,000 bills so you will need to come prepared with your money but don’t worry if you forget the chef does have change so you can change your bills up.
Creamy Soymilk Veggie Ramen
How did it taste?
As mentioned above, this is the only vegan option at Hinodeya. The ramen is made from a soymilk broth and noodles made from spinach, topped with tofu veg cake, bell pepper, fried kale, kabocha pumpkin, shitake mushroom, green onion and nori seaweed.
It has a creamy, tasty and rich flavour and the noodles have such a good chew to them without having an obvious spinach taste – It definitely makes for a pretty bowl, especially with all the colourful vegetable toppings.
The tofu veg cake has a fun spongy texture you may not have experienced before, it soaks up the flavour of the broth and it’s delicious. As well as the chewy shiitake mushrooms and all the other delicious veggies (my favourite is the pumpkin!) this makes for a really delicious bowl of ramen.
Ippudo is another amazing place that does soymilk ramen, you should check it out if you visit Tokyo!
How much was it?
¥1,080 (£6.28/ $7.89)
They also have a creamy soymilk veggie ramen set which is the same ramen but with extra vegetables for ¥1,380 (£8.03/ $10.08).
Things that are close to Hinodeya Ramen
- Explore Omiya city | 4 min walk
- Omiya Koen | 11 min walk
- Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Jinja : 14 min walk
- Omiya Bonsai Art Museum | 34 min walk
- The railway museum | 28 min walk
- BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR Omiya Stellar Town Store | 39 min walk
Restaurants close to Hinodeya Ramen with vegan options
- Coco Ichibanya | 2 locations
West exit: 13 min walk
Nakacho: 7 min walk
Several locations, the closest is a 12 min walk away
- Natural Lawsons | 10 min walk
Unfortunately, there aren’t many options in Omiya, but you definitely won’t starve with Coco’s curry and lots of Konbini’s around.
I’m always looking for new places but please let me know if you know of any new cafes and restaurants in Omiya.
How to get to Hinodeya Ramen
Address:
JP- 〒330-0846 さいたま市大宮区大門町3-95
EN- 3 Chome-95 Daimoncho, Omiya Ward, Saitama, 330-0846
Nearest station:
4 min walk from Omiya station
Open:
11:00 – 15:00 / 17:00 – 22:00
Closed on Wednesdays
Phone:
048-716-2776
Omiya is a wonderful city with beautiful gardens, temples and is rich in history. If you get the chance to visit, although there is a lack of options, Hinodeya is a great restaurant for vegan food in Omiya. The broth is wonderfully creamy and you’ll be sure to leave very full and satisfied- just don’t go on a Wednesday as it won’t be open.
If you like ramen, have you tried this place?
