Vegetarian and Vegan food in Kyoto

Vegan and Vegetarian food in Kyoto

Japan has amazing food and fret not if you are Vegan or Vegetarian. You can still enjoy Japanese food. Japan has Shojin Ryori or Buddhist temple food, served mainly in Kyoto that is basically vegetarian except sometimes they use bonito (fish flakes) and/or eggs. 

 Download the Happy Cow app on your phone. It will lead you to the most awesome food you have ever had. Also, check out blogs for the best vegan or vegetarian restaurants in the cities you are visiting.


Some recommendations: 

Omen 

Omen has the most flavourful Udon Noodles. Remember to ask for the vegetarian version without Dashi (fish stock). 


Omen has branches in Kyoto and New York!



You have to add the spicy and fragrant burdock (on the left) and the salad and veggies bit by bit to the hot broth along with the thick and chewy Udon noodles, spices and roasted sesame seeds. By the time you are finished eating, you are left with a mouth-watering broth to drink up!
The spice box. Japanese Red Pepper, Red spices, Green Spices and Japanese Spices. All vegetarian. The Japanese spices were the most delicious. 



Roasted sesame and hot Sake!!


Beancurd Sashimi


Also delicious is the Beancurd Sashimi. It is made up of two textures of beancurd, an outer cold skin and a soft creamy inner stuffing. This was so yummy, we ordered 5-6 portions. Above is half a portion since we couldn't bring ourselves to photograph it before eating some!!

Omen also has a few a la carte vegetarian options.

Omen has 3 branches in Kyoto and reservation is recommended if you are going at peak hours.

This one is in downtown Kyoto:
Omen, Japan, 〒604-8014 Kyoto Prefecture, Nakagyo Ward, 京都市中京区四条通先斗町西入ル

This one is near the Philosopher’s Path
Omen, Japan, 〒606-8406 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, Sakyo Ward, 銀閣寺バスプール南隣

This one is close to the Kiyomizu Dera:
Omen Kodai-ji Branch, 358 Masuyacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0826, Japan


Organic House Salute

This vegan restaurant is located near Kyoto station, but is a bit difficult to find since it is not directly on a main road. The Vege set lunch, Vege curry and vegan pancakes are awesome.


It is located in the lanes and by-lanes behind the Kyoto Tower Hotel Annexe. Its location is marked above in red.


The Vege set lunch - staples of rice and Miso soup, a fried dish, 3 types of slalds and a dipping sauce!


Vege curry, rice and salad!
Address:

Japan, 〒600-8216 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Shimogyō-ku, Higashishiokōjichō, 下京区東塩小路町６００−３１


Tel. +81 75-341-3737

Shigetsu - Vegan

This restaurant is inside the Tenryu-ji temple in Arashimaya. You can try Buddhist Temple cuisine here. There is a large variety of food served like a set meal. Reservation is recommended.


The set meal


They have 5-6 dining rooms. Some with tables like these and some without. 


You can sit on the floor...
...or ask for low chairs


English address:
68 Susukinobaba-machi, Saga Tenryu-ji, Ukyo-ku

Japanese address:
右京区嵯峨天龍寺芒ノ馬場町68

Tel: 882-9725


Mamehachi

This is a traditional Tofu restaurant - most dishes are made of Tofu and Yuba. It serves meat, but you can enjoy a multi-course vegetarian meal here. It is a bit expensive and reservation is recommended.


9 course vegetarian meal. They substituted the Grilled chicken... 

...with a vegetarian option.

Gratin with wheat gluten


Address:

Chuo-ku, Nabeyamachi 210-4 (at Pontocho District, near Gion), Kyoto, Japan, 604-8015

Tel: 075-2112469



More Resources:

The Happy Cow App

Download the Happy Cow app on your phone. It is indispensable if you want vegan or vegetarian food in Japan. Not only does it have listings of restaurants and of stores where you can buy vegan / vegetarian groceries. 


It also has ratings, reviews, timings and information about how expensive the restaurant is. It also shows you the distance of the restaurant from your current location. 


It has a map view too. It can also show directions to the restaurant on Google maps.



Further recommendations:
Check here for more information on vegetarian food in Kyoto.








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