Here’s the scoop: Tokyo has an incredibly vibrant vegan scene. I recently shared a screenshot of my Google Map on Instagram, and it was dotted with countless little pink hearts indicating vegan spots. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive—everyone seemed impressed! Honestly, I was a bit taken aback myself. While I knew Tokyo had good vegan restaurants, I didn’t anticipate feeling such intense FOMO. It seems nearly impossible to experience even half of them in a single trip unless you plan a longer stay.
But is that a great “problem” to have or what?
Besides the impressive vegan options, Tokyo boasts magnificent skyscrapers and neon streets, alongside serene temples and historic gardens—it’s a city that wonderfully blends modernity with tradition. There are endless attractions, activities, and culinary delights waiting for you!
I was pretty sure I’d enjoy my time in Tokyo, but I never expected to start planning my next visit before I even left. Perhaps you’ll find yourself feeling the same!
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Vegan & Vegan-Friendly Restaurants to Visit in Tokyo
As I mentioned earlier, Tokyo is overflowing with vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants—you could spend a month sampling different dishes and still not hit every single spot! So, take your time! My top tip for vegan travelers is to mark your favorite places on Google Maps. This way, navigating the city becomes easier, and you can plan your itinerary efficiently—after all, Tokyo isn’t a small town!
Vegan Cafe PQ’s
Location: Taito City
$$ Pancakes, curries, specialty drinks & desserts — 100% vegan
If you’ve done any research on vegan options in Japan or Tokyo, you’ve likely stumbled across the ultra-fluffy, souffle-like pancakes that are all the rage. So, what’s the hype? To be honest, I’m unsure; however, I suspect it’s because they’re not only adorable (and cute aesthetics are highly appreciated in Japan) but also exceptionally delicious! Traditionally, these cloud-like cakes are made with eggs to achieve that lift, which makes veganizing them quite a challenge. However, Vegan Cafe PQs embraced the challenge and completely nailed it.
We had the pleasure of trying these delightful pancakes at several locations across Japan, and I can confidently say these were our favorite. Not only are they vegan, but they’re also gluten-free—which is astonishing. Often, gluten-free pancakes can turn out gummy and dense, but not here. The lightly sweet flavor paired with a perfect sponge-like texture topped with ice cream is simply outstanding. In addition to souffle pancakes, they also feature beautifully presented seasonal curries. Whatever you choose, don’t miss out on trying one of their creative lattes or floats!
Ain Soph. Ginza
Location: Ginza
$$ Bento boxes, curries, pancakes, & other Japanese specialties — 100% vegan
This trendy spot will grab your attention with its modern and chic storefront, enticing you to explore its menu. During our visit, our local guide (who isn’t vegan) mentioned that this was the first place she was eager to try! Just a heads up: the cafe is quite small, making it difficult to find a table during peak hours.
The cafe spans multiple floors. Upon entering, you’ll be greeted by a beautiful bakery display filled with popular items such as tiramisu, cookies, and Japanese-style sweet sandwiches. The dining area occupies the second and fourth floors.
They offer a lunch and dinner menu featuring a mix of globally-inspired dishes, from artistically arranged Bento boxes to vibrant curries and fluffy pancakes. When we visited, we were on a pancake kick and decided to try their classic pancakes with a hint of vanilla, served with ice cream, alongside a bowl of vegan karaage (Japanese-style fried chick’n). While the pancakes were excellent, the karaage was just okay—I suspect Cosme Kitchen’s version (featured later) might outperform it! I do wish we’d ordered a Bento box, but we had to pace ourselves.
T’s Tantan
Locations: Tokyo Station, Ueno Station, Ikebukuro Station, & Narita Airport
$$ Ramen, rice bowls, gyoza — 100% vegan
Even before arriving in Japan, I heard numerous great reviews about this special vegan ramen spot that’s making waves in Tokyo train stations. It’s rare to find vegan restaurants in train stations—usually, you’re stuck with whatever snacks you can scrounge!
We visited the location at Tokyo Station, which is located behind the ticketing platform alongside other shops; keep in mind that to access it, you’ll need to purchase a platform ticket. Thankfully, it only cost about a dollar, so it won’t break the bank. Once we made it through, we found quite a line—definitely a good sign! Not only is it fantastic to have delicious vegan options in a train station, but it’s also heartening to see a busy restaurant. We waited about 20 minutes, so do keep that in mind if you’re in a hurry.
The ramen was definitely worth the wait! I enjoyed the gold sesame ramen, which had a delightfully creamy broth with a rich, nutty flavor. If you love the ramen as much as I did, you’ll be pleased to know they offer takeaway noodle cups, although they can’t compare to the full sit-down experience!
Vegan Bistro Jangara
Location: Shibuya City
$$ Ramen, gyoza, burgers, soy meat — 100% vegan
Feeling incredibly jet-lagged, we reluctantly pulled ourselves out of bed and hopped onto the subway to reach this much-anticipated restaurant. I had been eagerly ogling their pictures of perfectly put-together ramen bowls and savory meat skillets—there was no way I could leave Tokyo without trying it!
If you’re planning to visit the iconic Shibuya Crossing or do some shopping, this spot is conveniently located right in the heart of it all. Whenever your itinerary brings you to this part of town, you can easily stop by for lunch, dinner, or both (I’ll 1000% return)!
The menu features a delightful mix of dishes, including vegan poutine fries, burgers, ramen, and curry. While the burgers are delicious, don’t miss out on their Japanese specialties like ramen, curry, and plump gyoza. I opted for their popular sizzling seared soy meat, served steaming hot and drizzled with a savory sauce for added flair—after just one bite, I vowed I should have ordered extra. Clearly, we were set for some amazing meals in Japan!
Matt chose the Karabon ramen, which had a gorgeous golden-red broth that practically screamed, “I’m going to blow your mind!” And it did! Between sniffles and forehead wipes, Matt managed to give a thumbs-up. If you enjoy spicy ramen, this is the place for you! But if spice isn’t your thing, their traditional soy sauce ramen offers a milder broth—no need for a towel!
