This guest post is by Marie from the Candy Penny blog. In 2009, Marie traveled extensively through Japan and found many vegan options. This post is a summary of some of her favourite meals. To read more about Marie’s travels, visit Candy Penny.
1.The Unique Find: Gozan Noodle Shop, Kamakura, Japan
Kenchin Udon & Vegetable Soup
Visiting the temples south of Tokyo I stumbled upon the Gozan Noodle Shop. This homey noodle shop that appeared to specialize in ken-chin (vegetarian) style soup. This steaming bowl came with plentiful vegetables and chewy delicious udon noodles.
Read the full Candy Penny review here.
Gozan Noodle Shop
1531 Yamanochi
Kamakura, Japan
2.The Go-To Restaurant: Loving Hut, Tokyo, Japan
Spring Rolls, Soup, Agar Jello & French Bread
There are many Loving Hut restaurants to choose from around the world. This International vegetarian restaurant’s Tokyo location has a special place in my heart due to the exquisite and freshness care put into each dish. On this given day, I had a set Vietnamese style meal.
Read the full Candy Penny review here.
Loving Hut
http://www.lovinghut.com/index.php
6-15 2F Yotsuya Sanchome
Shinjuku-ku-Tokyo, Japan
3. The Old Standby: Mos Burger, Multiple Locations
Burger w/ Tea & Fries
Haven’t you ever wanted a burger that used grilled white rice patties instead of buns? Mos Burger does just that. The Gomoka Kinpara burger is composed of kinpara style sauteed burdock & carrot. Throw in some western style fries and you’ve got yourself a meal!
Mos Burger
http://www.mos.co.jp/english/
4. The Cultural Gem: Tenryu-Ji Temple, Kyoto
Shojin Ryori: Pickled Vegetables, Goma Tofu & White Rice
Shojin Ryori is not to be missed. It is the multi course vegan meal prepared by monks and served in a temple. It typically incorporates the six basic flavors (astringent, bitter, pungent, salty, sour, and sweet) and the three qualities (light/flexible, clean/neat, and conscientious/thorough) into some of the most precious food you will ever eat. Set meals start at $30.00 USD and are worth every penny. The meal in the photo was taken at the Tenryu-Ji Temple in the Arashimaya district of Kyoto.
Read the full Candy Penny review here.
Tenryu-Ji Temple
http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/theme/sites/shrines/w_heritage/12/
68 Susukinobaba-cho
Tenryuji, Saga, Ukyo-ku
Kyoto City, Japan
7 Comments »
I’ve only ever had Loving Hut’s food at BejiFesta, but holy moly was it good! lol.
While I’m not much of a fan of Mos Burger, I’ll have to try out the other options that you mentioned while I’m here this year.
Thanks for the info, Marie!!
MOS burger was my saviour so many time in Japan. Will definitly look up the restaurant in Kamakura if I ever get a chance to go back, and Tokyo’s loving hut.
Thanks for the info :-)
Everything looks very good.
I love Tenryu-Ji Temple! I ate there when I visited Kyoto last summer and I love it! You can see my pics here (in Spanish):
http://cocinadenihacc.wordpress.com/2010/11/30/restaurante-vegano-shigetsu-kyoto-japon/
I like your blog very much, thanks for sharing!
Very nice :)
Sadly, I think that strictly speaking the Rice Burger at Mos Burger is not vegan though, since they use oyster sauce and bonito extract in the flavoring based on information about company response upon inquiry dated April 2009 that I found on the internet a while ago. :( If you want to order it, then you should ask the staff to confirm, though it’s very likely that they won’t know.
We have a Loving hut here in Orlando. They have vietnamese style noodles that are too die for! When I became a vegan, I was sad at the fact that I had to say good bye to Vietnamese cuisine but then I found Pho at Loving hut! It’s great to see that they have one in Japan that someone else approves of. I would love to visit one day. Great article.
This find at MosBurger is good…even if it’s not strictly vegan, it’s a step up in fast food here in Japan.
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