Going Vegan: A Vegetarian’s food guide in Japan

Let me confess upfront, I was a very fussy eater in Japan. A pure vegetarian traveling in a country habitually relying on fish as one of its base ingredients, I had always been skeptical. What raised my doubts further were the incomprehensible Japanese signs and symbols and the unfamiliar smell that emanated from inside the eateries while passing by them.

But this is not to say that I starved. Nope, far from it actually. I had my moments with food and I found in them my pleasures too! So, here is a sneak peek into my, a veggie's, food travails in Japan – a humble attempt to help all those vegetarian's out there planning a trip to Japan.

A) TOKYO

1. Vegetable Sushi Potager

A date with the Expedians, it was here that I also had my first Japanese Sushi, actually two and both purely vegetarian ones!

Sushi: no fish, only vegetables

What amazed me was that it was their first attempt at a vegetarian sushi and this fact itself gives you an idea of the picture of vegetarianism in the country.

Fresh fruit juices to top

Anyways, the entire sushi experience was good value for money and I had topped it with a pineapple juice which tasted quite bitter.

Website: www.sushi-potager.com/en/concept/

2. ISKCON Govinda’s Restaurant

Who would harbor thoughts of an Indian thali in a foreign land and why? But we did and even got it in the ISKCON temple at Funabori in Tokyo.

Indian Thali of Govinda's

Though, the eatery is a bit on the outskirts of the city but it is one place where you can head if you are in search of a hearty pure vegetarian meal in a foreign land. Attend the arti (prayers) and head to the restaurant just besides the temple – the Indian fare is not only tasty but very economic too.

B) NARA

1. Shyojin Ryori

You can think of a Shyojin Ryori, as simply a Japanese version for a pure vegetarian restaurant. Buddhist vegetarian cuisine served at either temples or special restaurants, these are places where you can just close your eyes and dig your chopsticks in without worrying about the ingredients!

Incidentally, our very first stop in Nara was to sample this fare. The ambiance was typical zen - peaceful and tranquil - complete with a humble looking dining house furnished in matted seating and wooden tables.

The interiors: Quiet, peaceful and in the heart of nature

The food was served one after another in a chronological manner, so rhythmic and meticulous that towards the end, the entire table looked visually quite appealing. I remember troubling cosmos and sarah with a lot of my questions on the various dishes being served and its ingredients and they patiently answering every one of them but alas! today, those names have faded in my memory. What I can tell you, however, is that the proportions of everything on offer was moderate - never too much, nor too less and the spices used were minimum, making the food subtle and mild.

The Shyojin Ryori course

Overall, the cuisine tasted very very different to my Indian taste buds but this is not to say that I did not have my favorites. I loved having some fried tofus (Atuage) and this sweet dish right in the end,

Simply sweet!

A small one for someone with a sweet tooth but still a perfect finish to the course!

2. A home meal

Nothing beats a home cooked meal. And I was highly honored to get an invite for a treat at Yoko’s house - a treat that is today a treasure... priceless.

Vegetable spaghetti

There was everything on the plate - company of friends, Japanese hospitality and warmth, smiles, joys and laughter, a lot of curious questions, a bit of anxiety as well, oohs and ahs and of course a lot of food – everything. In all the fun, I even forgot to take any decent pictures except this lone one - sincere apologies.

3. Asura Vegan restaurant, Naramachi
 

Nara is a disappointment when it comes to pure vegetarian restaurants and eateries, but snowwhite and redrose found this quaint little eatery named Asura in the Naramachi area.

Asura vegan restaurant, Naramachi

It boasts of a vegan delight and has some simple yet tasty menu up its sleeve.

Menu card

Plus a quiet ambiance and a homely atmosphere ensure that you leave the place all satisfied and content.
 

Bread, rice and curry - My plate

And if you do happen to be here, do not forget to say a hello to the sweet lady at the desk who has an Indian connection.

Hello!

Her beautiful handmade crafts and pieces decorating the interiors –

till someone picks them up!

4. Tea Ceremony, Jikoin Zen temple

When in Japan, one of the things you just cannot miss is attending a tea ceremony and Jikoin zen temple of Nara is one place where you can head to to have your experience of this interesting ritual.

Tea ceremony at the Jikoin Zen temple, Nara

Dwell on the concept of 'One time, one meeting', appreciate the beauty in nature, the beauty in your own self and sip your tea. The tea tastes bitter but I second what my friend, cosmos tells me –

Who knows, when it becomes an acquired taste :)

C) From here and there

1. Cookies, Biscuits and Munchies: Takeaways from India and from Japan

When all of the above fails, trust these nitty bitties to come to your rescue. We bought a few Marie biscuits, chocolates, cadburies and roasted peanuts from a supermarket store in Tokyo and stacked them up in our food bag.

A peep into my food bag

Bakery produce: biscuits and muchies

Even though, these might not be as fulfilling for a diet but they do manage to squash those hunger pangs. And of course, the delight of indulging in something Japanese-made is always there.

2. Fruits:

If you still find yourself at a loss for picking out things, look no further and go for fruits. Bananas, cherries, apples, Japanese supermarket stores have them aplenty and they all come at a good price for our pockets.

Fruits

The best thing is that all these fruits are unlike any of the fruits we have here in India and they taste way better. I’m sure they are much more healthier too!

3. Bread and butter:

Look out if you hotel offers you a complimentary breakfast. If yes, you can ask one of the hotel staff to point out all the vegetarian options in the menu.

My breakfast plate of bread, butter and milk at
hotel Villa Fontaine Roppongi, Tokyo

The desk staff are generally well conversant in English and are more than glad to help you out.

Last but not the least: Do your research -

Talking to the locals surely helps but the existence of a language barrier cannot be denied. Just to be on the safer side, I would advice you to do your own research before you leave. Especially, Tokyo has lots to offer for all us vegans out there. All my Nara blogger friends were surprised when they realized that we had mostly survived on the breakfast of Hotel Villa fontaine while our stay in Tokyo. And rightly so, because one can easily find a lot of vegan options there if some time is devoted for research on the internet before leaving your country. Something we regretted to having missed out on before leaving India.

So as a vegetarian traveling in Japan, plan wisely and eat delightfully. And do not forget to say - Itadakimasu before you start your meals! Happy Eating!