Foodie Adventure Japan

Neighborhood Spotlight: Roppongi

Roppongi is well-known in Japan for being the home of shot bars, clubs, and the Mori art museum (which I totally love!). But it also has lots of ex-pats and foreigners living in the area due to a large number of embassies and international offices. Where there are foreigners, vegan options usually abound. Here is a list of just some of the many options you can find in Roppongi!

 

Falafel Brothers

Often ranked among the best of the best in Tokyo, Falafel Brothers’ first store is located a quick three-minute walk from the station. In my opinion, it is the best of the three, but it is also the smallest and with the least amount of options. My go-to order is the half-sandwich set where you get to pick two toppings. I love the variety they have in their toppings and this location usually has my favorite: coconut corn. Don’t forget to order their ice cream with the sticky date sauce if they have it!

 

Veganic-to-go

Veganic-to-go is an all-vegan cozy little shop that is about 8 minutes from the station. It sells lots of CBD products and has a small number of vegan goods you can buy. I really like this café, but I have heard some negative reviews on the place. Maybe I just always get lucky. The food is pretty expensive, so I do not eat it as often. My favorite item is the tartar fish burger, but be warned: it is HUGE. It is difficult to eat, but tasty. I also like their yakitori bowls, but again, they are around 1600 yen which is quite a lot.

 

Café by Love

This new café that just opened is quite frankly, beautiful. I love the interior and it fits with all the typical vegan vibes. Get ready to cleanse your chakras and take in positive energy from gemstones, because Café by Love has it all. Their food is delicious, well-seasoned, and clearly made with a lot of care. I ordered the broccoli Genovese, but I am excited to go back and try their tempeh bowl. Also is pricey, but I think it is fair given the location and quality of the food.

 

RAW

Who doesn’t love a salad buffet bar? This brilliant shop has a two-hour limit, but within that time you can certainly eat your fill. I have not always been a fan of salads, but I am definitely a fan of this place. The food is fresh, there is loads of options, and the dressings are so good. It is also such a steal at 1100 for the buffet. Worth a stop if you are in the area and craving some veggies!

The Counter

The Counter is a vegan-friendly restaurant that has a veggie wrap and a burger option. It reminds me of your typical American joint, with great cocktails and huge portions. I have always enjoyed my veggie burger from here which is made with lots of vegetables. Also, the sweet potato fries are a must! Just skip the sauce, as that has dairy in it.

 

Pizzakaya

I have already talked about my love for Pizzakaya in my other pizza blog post, but I will have to mention them again on this list. If you are looking for American style pizza with vegan cheese, this is your place. Their omotenashi isn’t winning any awards, but when you have a solid vegan option on the menu with a great craft beer selection on tap, you win already.

Daigou

Daigou is an upscale shojin ryori (Buddhist temple food) restaurant you can find in Roppongi. It is all vegetarian except they use katsuodashi (fish seasoning) so be sure to let them know you are vegan when you make your reservation. This will not be a cheap meal, but it is worth it! I personally have never been, but I am excited to get there soon.

 

Two Dogs

Two Dogs has also been previously mentioned in my pizza post. It has a couple of vegan pizza options, which I have only tried once at a vegan food meet up. I liked the pizza a lot and they have a large selection of craft beer as well. Overall, this is a nice option for a group of friends to share some pizza and pints.

Pasela

Vegan chicken nuggets plus karaoke? Sounds good to me! The only place in Tokyo so far where you can stuff your face with vegan food and belt out some drunken lyrics at the same time is Pasela. The menu looks great actually, including chicken nuggets and pasta. So if you are looking to partake in the traditional Japanese past time, head here!

Hobgoblin

Hobgoblin is a British pub with a few locations around Tokyo. They have vegan options like pizza, nachos, and a veggie burger. The food is good but not spectacular and it expensive. This is a good spot though if you have a mixed group and some want vegan food.

Other places with food that you can veganize in Roppongi: Frijoles & Coco Curry 

Have you visited any of these restaurants? Are there other ones that you know of that have vegan options in Roppongi? Please let us know! Happy eating! ????