Intro
It is hard to go vegan in Tokyo. Meats and animal products are used in many Japanese foods, not to mention in the broths of popular noodle dishes like ramen. Where other countries have started to sell meat substitutes in local grocery stores, Japan still has little to no vegan products that you can buy on a whim. Vegan restaurants were also few and far between up until a few years ago. However, Tokyo has started to open its eyes to veganism and there are quite a few vegan restaurants popping up recently, as well as restaurants with vegan and vegetarian options. Although somewhat pricey, these vegan restaurants may be worth a visit.
About the Writer
I'm Sophie, a university student in Tokyo. You may have seen me on the MisoDog TV YouTube channel! I'm not especially great at writing, but hopefully I can improve a bit through practice. In my spare time, I read a lot of manga, watch a lot of anime, and listen to a lot of Japanese music.
Today I bring you a post about vegan restaurants that are located specifically in the Shibuya ward. I myself am not vegan so I may not be the most qualified person to write this article, but I have a good amount of friends who are so I can attest to at least some of these. Check them out and let me know what you think!
10 Vegan Restaurants to Visit in Shibuya
1. Falafel Brothers Shibuya
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The restaurant closest to Shibuya Station on this list, Falafel Brothers is located in PARCO, a shopping mall that was recently remodeled in late 2019. The restaurant is great in its customizability; the lunch menu allows you to choose a main dish, vegetables, toppings and sauces. With a wide selection of vegan foods as well as deserts, you can come to Falafel Brothers multiple times and still have new things to try.
Address: Shibuya-ku, Udagawa-cho 15-1, 7F（東京都渋谷区宇田川町15-1 7F）
Hours: 11:30 am - 10:00 pm (7 days a week)
Website: https://www.falafelbrothers.jp
2. Nagi Shokudou
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Nagi Shokudou does not market itself as a vegan restaurant, when in fact all their dishes are vegan-friendly (it seems as though many Japanese customers walk in without even realizing it is a vegan restaurant). There are all kinds of food and drink, including soy karaage, tofu, and a variety of potato dishes. At Nagi Shokudou, you can get a full meal for just over 1,000 yen, a price that you can’t find very often at other vegan restaurants.
Address: Shibuya-ku, Uguisudani-cho 15-10（東京都渋谷区鶯谷町15-10 103号）
Hours: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm (Monday - Saturday); 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm (Sunday)
Website (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/nagishokudo/?rf=285921778172508
3. Milan Nataraj Shibuya
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Milan Nataraj is an Indian restaurant located between Shibuya and Harajuku Station. They offer both lunch and dinner menus, as well as having multiple locations all around Tokyo. The best point about Milan Nataraj, however, is that it offers a lunch buffet for just over 1,000 yen on the weekdays. On weekends and holidays the price goes up to around 1,500 yen. Milan Nataraj is a great deal for those who want to eat lots of Indian food. Be sure to try their green vegan nan if you go!
Address: Shibuya-ku, Jinnan 1-22-7, Iwamoto Building 3F（東京都渋谷区神南1-22-7岩本ビル3F）
Hours: 11:30 am - 11:00 pm (7 days a week excluding New Years)
Website: http://www.nataraj.co.jp/en/shibuya/E_ShibuyaTop.shtml
4. WE ARE THE FARM Shibuya
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WE ARE THE FARM is not exclusively vegan, but it does have a significant amount of vegan and vegetarian-friendly options. Location-wise, it is closer to Shinsen Station, one stop from Shibuya on the Keio Inokashira Line, but you can also walk from Shibuya Station and get there in about 10 minutes. The vegetables used at WE ARE THE FARM are home grown and organic. Plus, there is a salad bar to enjoy. If you are planning on visiting on a weekend, you might want to make a reservation beforehand.
Address: Shibuya-ku, Shoutou 1-28-11, Pigeon Shoutou Takada Building 1F （東京都渋谷区松濤1-28-11 Pigeon松濤高田ビル 1F）
Hours: 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm (Monday); 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm to 10:30 (Tuesday - Sunday)
Website: https://allfarm.co.jp/restaurant/watf/
5. Sakura Tei (Harajuku)
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Sakura Tei is located close to Harajuku station. The walk from Shibuya Station to Harajuku Station is not bad (takes 20 to 30 minutes), but if you don’t feel like walking, it is also a quick 2 minute train ride. Sakura Tei is also not exclusively vegan, but it is one of the few places where you can experience gluten-free okonomiyaki! Okonomiyaki is a Japanese food that you cook yourself and in almost all cases includes meat and batter, but Sakura Tei has dishes especially for people with dietary restrictions so that everyone can enjoy the experience of making and eating Okonomiyaki!
Address: Shibuya-ku, Jingumae 3-20-1（東京都渋谷区神宮前3-20-1）
Hours: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm (Monday - Thursday); 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (Friday-Sunday, Holidays)
Website: https://www.sakuratei.co.jp/en/
6. Tofu Ryouri Sorano
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Leave from the West Exit of Shibuya Station, walk alongside the train tracks for about 7 minutes, and you will find Tofu Ryouri Sorano. This restaurant has a reputation for serving visually appealing as well as tasty tofu dishes. The aesthetic of the interior makes you feel like you are really in “Japan.” The menu is not completely vegan, so you should make sure to check with the employees before ordering. Tofu Ryouri Sorano is on the higher end of things, so you should be prepared to pay 3,500 yen or more to eat here.
Address: Shibuya-ku, Sakuraoka-cho 4-17, Cherry Garden 1F
Hours: 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm (Monday - Saturday); 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (Sunday, Holidays)
Website: http://foodgate.net/shop/sorano.html
7. Mr. FARMER Omotesando
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Like Sakura Tei, Mr. FARMER is located in Omotesando, which can be found near Harajuku Station. Mr. FARMER uses organic vegetables grown from all over Japan. Their website includes profiles of the farmers, giving the food a sense of intimacy. The menu features vegan burgers, plant-based dishes, a wide variety of salads, as well as many colorful superfood vegan smoothies. They are also open early in the morning, making them an option for a vegan breakfast. Mr. FARMER has other locations in and around Tokyo in places such as Shinjuku and Yokohama.
Address: Shibuya-ku, Jingumae 4-5-12, Sepia Harajuku 1F（東京都渋谷区神宮前4-5-12 セピア原宿1F）
Hours: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm (7 days a week)
Website: https://mr-farmer.jp
8. glutenfree cafe littlebird
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There is not much written on the internet about littlebird and the Facebook page is minimal at best, but it is known to be a popular spot among vegans in Tokyo. Located near Yoyogi park (making it the furthest from Shibuya Station on this list), littlebird is much more difficult to find than the other restaurants on this list, but does not disappoint in its menu. At littlebird, you can try gluten free burgers, fries, pizzas, and Japanese foods like udon, ramen, and karaage.
Address: Shibuya-ku, Uehara 1-1-20, JP Building 3F（東京都渋谷区上原1-1-20 JPビル 3F）
Hours: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Monday-Friday); 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Saturday - Sunday) *This is information is taken from their last Facebook post in March
Website (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/cafe.littlebird
9. BOTANIST Cafe (Omotesando)
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A cafe brought to you buy the BOTANIST brand that is known mostly for their shampoos and other beauty products, BOTANIST Cafe is aesthetically pleasing in their shop interior as well as their food presentation. It is located on the second floor of a BOTANIST shop in Omotesando. The menu includes burgers, desserts, and pastas. Although not entirely vegan, BOTANIST Cafe does have a significant amount of vegan options and serves overall very healthy food. Even if you are not someone to take pictures of your food, this cafe might just give you the urge.
Address: Shibuya-ku, Jingumae 6-29-2, Sukegawa Building 2F（東京都渋谷区神宮前6-29-2 助川ビル2F）
Hours: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm (7 days a week)
Website: https://shop.botanistofficial.com/cafemenu
10. BROWN RICE (Omotesando)
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BROWN RICE is a restaurant created by Neal’s Yard Remedies, a company that produces natural oils and other all-natural beauty products. It is located, again, in Omotesando. Visual presentation of food is top notch at BROWN RICE, but it is a little pricey compared to many of the other restaurants on this list. Lunch will cost you anywhere from 1,500 yen to 1,700 yen, with the option to choose between a seasonal set menu, a vegetable set, and a seasonal vegetable curry.
Address: Shibuya-ku, Jingumae 5-1-8（東京都渋谷区神宮前5-1-8）
Hours: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm (7 days a week excluding New Years)
Website: https://www.nealsyard.co.jp/brownrice/welcome/
Closing Thoughts
What do you think? If you are trying to go vegan in Tokyo or are just visiting Japan as a vegan, these restaurants are worth checking out! Even if you are not thinking about veganism, the food is worth a try—you might be surprised at how good meat substitutes can be! Let us know if you have any recommendations for vegan-friendly spots in Tokyo down in the comments below!