After moving back to Japan, my childhood school friends got in contact and suggested meeting and having a catch-up over lunch. Being the only vegan in the group, I suggested going to Tokyo, a city home to many great cafes and restaurants. After a few suggestions in the group, we landed on Vegan Bistro Jangara as it’s easy to get to, close to Harajuku Station and vegan.
Vegan Bistro Jangara is a fully vegan restaurant in the centre of Harajuku, it was opened in 2021 by a small ramen chain “Kyushu Jangara” and is now rated one of the top restaurants in Tokyo on HappyCow!
The atmosphere of Vegan Bistro Jangara
Reading many reviews, it seems like the restaurant gets very busy, with people often having to wait to be seated, especially at the weekends. However, as we went for a very early lunch, we were the first ones in the restaurant.
The interior is painted in a calming green colour, giving it a cool and casual atmosphere. The restaurant has been decorated with modern and minimal tables and chairs and there’s a long window on one side of the wall which lets the sun in.
They have quick and friendly service, free water like many Japanese restaurants and you can pay by card if you’d like to.
Vegan Bistro Jangara menu
At Vegan Bistro Jangara, they have a separate lunch and dinner menu. On both menus, they have things like burgers, soy meat grill plates, curries, quesadillas and ramen. The dinner menu has a few more items like salads and different side plates such as deep-fried soy meats (looks similar to ‘chicken’ nuggets) and chips.
They have a decent selection on their sweet menu and plenty of drink options to choose from on their alcoholic and non-alcoholic menu. They even have a colour-changing drink when you add lemon to it!
You can have a look at their menus here!
The food
Vegan Kobonshan | ヴィーガンこぼんしゃん
How did it taste?
An incredible tasting plant-based tonkotsu ramen. The broth is garlicky, rich and full of flavour. The ramen is topped with red cabbage, nori seaweed, green onions and soy meat chunks.
Why should you choose this?
If you have a craving for ‘dirty’ ramen, this is the dish for you! This dish, using garlic oil, is full of so much flavour and has a great texture from the soy meat – you just might not want to kiss anyone after with your garlic breath!
If you’re looking for another place to have ramen in Tokyo, you might like this place here!
How much was it?
¥1,180 | £7.10 | $8.80
Grilled Cheese Curry | 焼きチーズカレー
Vegetable curry and rice topped with a nice layer of grilled homemade vegan cheese.
How much was it?
¥1350 | £8.10 | $10
Champon | ちゃんぽん
A vegan version of “Kyushu Jangara Ramen” – a traditional noodle dish from the Nagasaki region with plenty of vegetables.
How much was it?
¥1,080 | £6.50 | $8
Things that are close by
- Takeshita Street – 4 minute walk
- Shibuya Crossing – 17 minute walk
- Yoyogi Park – 3 minute walk
- Meji Shrine – 28 minute walk
- Omotesando – 7 minute walk
- Cat Street – 7 minute walk
- Galaxy Harajuku – 5 minute walk
Restaurants close to Vegan Bistro Jangara
- Nataraj Harajuku Omotesando: vegan options – 5 minute walk
- Mominoki House: vegan options – 11 minute walk
- Brown Rice by Neals’ Yard Remedies: vegan – 11 minute walk
- Restaurant 8ablish: vegan– 16 minute walk
- Mr. Farmer: vegan: 13 minute walk
- AFURI Harajuku: vegan options – 5 minute walk
- Kyushu Jangara Ramen – Harajuku: vegan options – 1 minute walk
- Fico and Pomum Juice Aoyama: vegan options -15 minute walk
How to get to Vegan Bistro Jangara
Address: 〒Jingumae 1-13-21 2F, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, 150-0045
Nearest station: 2 minute walk from Harajuku Station
Open times: 11:00 – 22:00 (L.O. 21:30)
Phone: 03 3404 5572
Website: kyushujangara.co.jp
Instagram: @veganbistro_
Although Vegan Bistro Jangara is known for having delicious ramen, they have many other dishes, great for a group with different tastes. It’s in a wonderful location, serving meals at a fair price. It’s somewhere you’ll probably want to come back again to try something new, I know I certainly do!
If you’re in need of a coffee break after all the exploring, then check out this list of places in Tokyo that offer plant-based milks!
