Discover 4 Must-Try 'Chic' Vegetarian Restaurants in Tokyo

If you're following a vegetarian or vegan diet, you might have heard that finding plant-based food in Japan can be quite a challenge. This is true to some extent, as Japanese cuisine, while renowned for its health benefits, heavily relies on seafood and meat. Not to mention, dashi, a fish-based broth, is an essential ingredient. But don’t worry, I’ve uncovered some fantastic spots for all you veggie lovers visiting Tokyo!

Shojin Ryori Restaurant at Sougo

If you’re captivated by Japanese vegetarian cuisine, make sure to visit Sougo in Roppongi. This upscale restaurant offers a kaiseki menu, a traditional style of Shojin ryori, providing a deeply Buddhist culinary experience. The crispy taro served with walnuts and shishito peppers absolutely enchanted me from the very first bite.

Sougo is located on the third floor of the Roppongi Green building, so keep an eye out; you might miss it if you’re not paying attention. Additionally, you can opt for the Zen kaiseki menu, featuring seven main dishes and one dessert, all perfectly paired with sake and wine selected by Chef Nomura.

Saido - The World’s Top Vegetarian Restaurant

Have you ever imagined a meal where a garden salad is served under a smoky glass dome? At Saido in Jiyugaoka, you can experience just that. Rated as the number one vegetarian restaurant by Happy Cow, Saido offers a set meal that includes soup, salad, a main dish, dessert, and two drinks.

I ordered the katsuju, a vegetarian version of the signature fried cutlet, beautifully presented in a lacquered box. My dining companion chose the unaju, a plant-based variation of grilled eel served over rice. After tasting, all I could do was rave about how delicious it was!

Veganic Monkey Magic - Unique Vegetarian Cuisine

Tucked away in Asakusa, Veganic Monkey Magic is where you can indulge in a special menu of 10-14 dishes prepared by Chef Monkey-san. This chef is not only famous for his culinary skills but also for his monkey costume and striking face paint.

One of the dishes I tried was tempeh from Nagano and vegan konjac yakiniku, which was truly creative and unique. The restaurant is open only from Thursday to Saturday, and reservations are required through a Google Docs form.

Coret - A Beloved Vegetarian Spot in Koenji

Coret is the perfect destination for anyone looking to enjoy a rich vegetarian meal in Koenji. With set meals that include a main dish, rice or bread, salad, and a selection of side dishes from a daily buffet, you won’t be disappointed.

I ordered the veggie katsu and dry curry, which featured a plant-based cutlet made from wheat flour and dry curry, served with fermented brown rice and salad.