Be Careful!
Places with so-called "vegan" options that you need to watch out for or avoid.
Just because the menu is labelled as “vegan”, it doesn’t mean it always is. After all, this is Japan we’re talking about. Be aware that some restaurants see veganism as a fad and ridiculously don’t understand the meaning of vegan.
cafe Stay Happy (Shimokitazawa, Tokyo)
This organic cafe has some vegan dish on their menu but some are prepared using the same frying oil as meat. The chef doesn’t seem to understand why those dishes can’t be called vegan. Best to avoid this place entirely.
FINN McCOOL'S (Kasumigaseki, Tokyo)
This Irish Bar has three vegan dishes on their menu but do no order the “vegan deli plate” as soy meat is cooked in the same oil as meat and fish. The “tofu hamburg” is vegan but it is disgusting not to mention salty. “Vegan vege curry” is also vegan but after trying the tofu hamburg, I couldn’t even think about going back. Also be aware that this is a smoking bar. Non-smoking hours are 11:30-13;00. In my opinion, this place is not worth going to spend your money.
other examples
Macrobiotic Marche (Ebisu, Tokyo)
This macrobiotic cafe is no longer in business but they used to have “vegan” soft ice cream with honey. All vegans know honey is not vegan but you will be surprised most Japanese don’t know this or even disagree despite the fact that Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries lists honey under animal byproduct.
This is another example to make my pointーin Japan, you need to always check with the restaurant if the food they label as vegan is in fact vegan and confirm that honey is not used.
T's Tantan (Jiyugaoka, Tokyo)
Back in 2011, T’s Tantan used to include honey in their curry, salad, and some of their sweets even though they claimed all food was 100% plant-based. I pointed out that honey is an animal byproduct and therefore, claiming their food is 100% plant-based is misleading. They said they will indicate clearly on the menu any dish containing honey, but they refused to revise their website that said all food was 100% plant-derived.
Fortunately, T’s Tantan is now a 100% vegan restaurant and they have removed honey entirely from their food.
helpful tips
Below is a check list when eating at restaurants serving vegan food.
- Confirm all food labeled as vegan do not contain meat, fish, dairy products, egg and honey.
- If vegan food are deep fried in oil, confirm the oil is not used to cook animal products.
- If vegan pizza is on the menu, ask either to serve uncut or to use clean cutter.