🥗 SURVIVING AS A RARE VEGETARIAN SOUL IN JAPAN

Since my first visit to Tokyo back in 2014, I have been on the hunt for vegetarian and vegan restaurants, cafes, shops... anything.

I still remember that time so clearly, my first night in Tokyo, visiting a traditional conveyor belt sushi place and not seeing a single vegetarian option in sight.

Cue my first encounter with culture shock.

Equipped with only basic Japanese skills, panic set in quickly.

My action plan? Be flexible and actively seek out any possible veggie options.

Think cheese toast from Doutor, 711 egg sandwiches, kitsune udon, Mos Burger, and lots of sweets.

I even learned about shoujin ryori — Japanese Buddhist cuisine.

Coming from a country with an extensive range of plant-based options (Australia), it was a significant reality check.

I’ve been able to witness the growth of the vegetarian/vegan food industry in Japan, which has been truly heartening.

Fast forward to 2024 and we have plant-based versions of traditional Japanese dishes!

Devouring these uniquely Japanese dishes has made me so hopeful for the future and grateful that these places exist. Of course, there are various other cuisines too.

I’m impressed by the number of small cafes, busy ramen restaurants, and trendy burger places that have at least one veggie option.

Keep in mind that it can be really difficult to find these places while visiting certain attractions and areas.

If you’re willing to be flexible while exploring Japan, you can widen your options greatly.

I want to share my discoveries about veg options available in Japan.

So here I am!

Evah Dining Macrobiotic

マクロビオティック エヴァダイニング

The best Japanese vegan bento ever, in one of the coolest cities in Japan.

I’ll start with this amazing bento shop in JR Hakata Station (Fukuoka, Kyushu) that I just can’t forget.

I went there in December 2022 and I still think of it often.

When I discovered Evah Dining Macrobiotic, I was over the moon.

So much so, that I made multiple visits during my trip because I wanted to try all the different types of bento!

Everything was so tasty there! I had finally found a shop that specialises in vegan bento.

The shop also offers various wraps, onigiri (rice ball), salads, cakes, and muffins!

All the food sold is vegan. Even if you aren’t very hungry, you can grab a snack from the wide selection of vegan items.

The prices are very reasonable too. Be sure to stop by in the evening, as you might snag a pretty cheap bento–50% off after 8 pm!

The location of the shop can be difficult to find at first. In JR Hakata Station, it’s in an area called ‘ippon dori mise’ (いっぴん通り店) containing different food shops.

For the easiest way to locate the bento shop, enter the station from the West Exit. I suggest looking for Mister Donut–there’s a big white sign above with the name "AMU EST".

From there, walk straight past these shops down a lane (food shops on either side). The bento shop is to your right.

Evah Dining Macrobiotic actually has quite a few branches, which you can find all over Fukuoka.

These are mostly stores with takeaways, but there is one cafe (Macrobiotic Cafe Evah Dining). I went there back in 2017!

If you’re interested in finding out more, check their website or follow them on Instagram.

Right now I wish I could return to Fukuoka... I hope you give Evah Dining Macrobiotic a chance!

Until next time,

Lana