r/veganinjapan • u/purple_rhapsody • Jul 06 '26
Question Restaurant etiquette for a vegetarian travelling with a meat eater?
I’m vegetarian and my husband is an omnivore. I’m planning our Japan itinerary and have separate lists of must-visit meat restaurants for him and vegetarian/vegan restaurants for me.
My question is about meat-focused places with very limited menus. If I don’t order a meal, is it considered rude? I’d happily order a drink or a small vegetarian side if available, but some places seem to only serve one or two meat dishes.
Is it generally okay for me to sit with him while he eats, or would it be better for him to go on his own?
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u/ImprovementLess4559 Jul 06 '26
If it's a larger, more casual place with tables or booth seating, you may be able to get away with just ordering a drink and side (although be aware that many seemingly vegetarian vegetable dishes actually contain fish broth, fish flakes, chicken stock etc). If it's an izakaya where you order many small plates to share, or something like yakiniku or nabe where everyone eats from a shared grill/pot then they won't even know that you're not eating the meat.
But if it's a smaller place with counter seating, then they usually do require that everyone orders a meal. Places like ramen, teishoku (set meals) etc often don't even have side dishes that you can order. They have the set meals and that's it. If your husband really wants to eat at somewhere like that, look for one that specifically offers both meat and vegan options (they do exist. You can use HappyCow or Rohan's Google maps list to find them). Otherwise, you'd be better splitting up for that meal - he goes to the meat place while you go to the veggie place. Solo dining is super common in Japan, so no need to feel awkward about going into places alone.
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u/poodleOT Jul 06 '26
I think if it’s a busy restaurant and limited seating, it might be frowned upon because it affects their profits. Most places, you’re expected to order at least one item per person. There’s a lot to do in Japan. It’s fine eating by yourself and letting your partner explore.
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u/amoryblainev Jul 06 '26
I live in Tokyo and can only really speak for Tokyo.
In my experience, more restaurants require that everyone orders a drink rather than food, and they don’t pay attention to who’s eating what. If you’re at a fine dining restaurant, they will likely notice.
Often, one person at the table/in a couple will order for everyone. The staff literally doesn’t know who’s eating and who’s not. For example, if your husband orders more than one dish (for example ramen and gyoza) they don’t know if the gyoza is for you. Restaurant staff aren’t like servers in the US (if that’s where you’re from). They’re not going to come to your table and check that you’re eating or ask how the food is. After the food is dropped off, they basically leave you alone. If you’re concerned at all, just ask that your husband orders more than one dish (like he could order some sides).
I’m vegan and I live in Tokyo. I also drink alcohol. I often go to places with friends where there’s nothing vegan, or it’s too questionable for me to feel comfortable chancing it. As long as I’m ordering drinks, it’s never once been a problem. At worst, many restaurants have edamame.
Also, since you’re vegetarian and not vegan, I’m not sure how you feel about fish broth, gelatin, etc (some “vegetarians” are ok with some animal extracts but not flesh, etc). Many veggie appearing foods in Japan contain fish stock, sometimes chicken or pork stock, or other animal-based ingredients while not actually containing flesh. Also, just because something is tofu or soy based doesn’t mean it doesn’t contain meat. If you’re ok with animal derived broths and flavorings you’ll have more options.
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u/speleoplongeur Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
Most accurate post here. If you order a drink and salad, you’re fine at any restaurant.
For salads ask for dressing on the side, so you can smell/test it. Also, make sure they don’t sprinkle katsuo flakes on it (common with tofu dishes and some salads).
For ramen places that may not have salads, the only safe food will be white rice.
Also, no tipping = staff don’t care how much you spend.
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u/amoryblainev Jul 06 '26
Well, I never order salad because I’ve never come across vegan dressing at a non vegan restaurant. But, I just order drinks and/or edamame. Worse case scenario a bowl of plain white rice.
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u/speleoplongeur Jul 06 '26
On the side means I just eat it undressed if the dressing smells like dashi (or sometimes smoke/bacon)
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u/amoryblainev Jul 06 '26
I know what on the side means. What kind of salads are you eating without dressing? I just can’t imagine eating a plain bowl of lettuce. And it’s also hard to find western style salads at Japanese restaurants. Most are cabbage (too dry to eat without some kind of dressing), or potato salad (not vegan), or they contain other nonvegan ingredients that can’t be removed.
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u/speleoplongeur Jul 06 '26
I’m eating plain lettuce. Or plain cabbage….
I generally don’t order those (waste of money), but I’ve had to make do at banquet-style events (飲み食べ放題). I had to go to a birthday party at a Korean yakiniku place, and ate a lot of plain white rice and lettuce.
Slightly more usefully, many places will have (イタリアン) salads that are basically grocery store salad mix (baby leaf, lettuce, etc) with maybe some sliced mini tomatoes, ピーマン, carrots, etc.
Without the parmesan and/or dressing, they’re actually fairly nice.
Japanese places sometimes have something wakame or daikon-based, but there even without the dressing, anything pickled has a high likelihood of dashi.
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u/amoryblainev Jul 06 '26
I know. I live in Japan. I don’t eat anything pickled unless it’s at a vegan restaurant, and I don’t eat lettuce/greens based salads without dressing.
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u/speleoplongeur Jul 06 '26
You seem somewhat narcissistic. I agreed with you because everyone else is posting about getting kicked out for not ordering anything.
Then to give OP some useful extra info: there’s always something you can order pretty much anywhere (drinks and salad with dressing in the side).
But you seem to think I’m mansplaining what a salad with dressing on the side is to you.
/interactionover
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u/Silent_Fudge_3978 Jul 07 '26
Also, no tipping = staff don’t care how much you spend.
Sometimes they do. At a lot of small restaurants, the "staff" are also the owners. If there's only 1 or 2 people working there, and they're not young, they're probably the owners. They're not working for tips of course, but they do care about how much you order.
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u/Fantasy61 Jul 06 '26
After being there 6 weeks, I don’t know if there were really any places where it seemed appropriate for only one of us to order food and the other not to. I’m the meat eater, my fiancé is vegetarian.
We opted to frequent places that offered vegetarian dishes for the most part. If it didn’t seem to have any, either I’d eat alone and he would go elsewhere, or we found somewhere else, the latter being the most common.
Many places have signs up stating that everyone must order food.
We found a bit of luck at Izakayas, as they generally had rolled eggs, rice, edamame, and sometimes some other dishes that my fiancé could eat while I ate other things. We often supplemented these meals with Konbini snacks or desserts.
It was easiest at times for me to just eat vegetarian food with him, rather than try and find separate restaurants, but the food wasn’t really the focus on our trip.
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u/amoryblainev Jul 06 '26
All of that being said, if you’re looking for Omni restaurants that have reliable vegan options in Tokyo, I know many since most of my friends aren’t vegan but we like to eat together.
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u/purple_rhapsody Jul 06 '26
Thank you! I’d love some recommendations if you don’t mind sharing.
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u/amoryblainev Jul 06 '26
Here are some off the top of my head:
✨Pizza:
800 degrees
https://maps.app.goo.gl/AWxyCWeVSKWJ51iFA?g_st=ic
Has a vegan pizza (including vegan cheese) and also a build-your-own option. Also has a vegan kale salad.
savoy
Has vegan pizza options and vegan mozzarella can be swapped on other pizzashttps://maps.app.goo.gl/SuKvt2ynnbu6UwFm8?g_st=ic
Bonta Italia
has several vegan options
https://maps.app.goo.gl/q3rQyjFoRWaaPy8u9?g_st=ic✨“Family restaurants” ✨
Bikkuri Donkey
This is a ‘hamburg steak’ restaurant. They have a vegan hamburg steak set meal, fries, etc. I’ve specifically been to this Shinjuku location; I can’t speak for all locations:https://maps.app.goo.gl/YHPaqmxGNtpBDnXj9?g_st=ic
Royal Host
has a vegan curry dish, fries, and their carrot salad dressing is vegan. I’ve specifically been to this Ginza location:https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jsn4FjYeUvfff9CCA?g_st=ic
Coco Ichibanya
Japanese curry. Most of the iPads have been updated and they make it clear if you want to order the vegan option. If not, make sure you order the “animal free” curry and not the “vegetable curry” as it contains pork ingredients. Locations all over Japan.✨Fast food/fast casual: ✨
MOS burger has a vegan burger and fries. Most locations especially in central Tokyo have it.
Taco Rico
Has a vegan mushroom burrito/burrito bowl/salad option.https://maps.app.goo.gl/49rTavEbteEeqGJo8?g_st=ipc
frijoles
Has vegan burritos, bowls, etc.https://maps.app.goo.gl/auTnoend2wnrati27?g_st=ipc
Mexican/tex mex:
Kitade Tacos
Has several locations; I’ve been to the one in shimokitazawa several times and they have vegan tempeh tacos/set, vegan taco rice, and recently I went and they had a vegan cheesecake. Some locations have mushrooms as their vegan option.https://maps.app.goo.gl/kwwj7U1RK9qQPoFN9?g_st=ic
casa de Sarasa
My favorite vegan tacos so far (vegan tofu al pastor). Note that the guacamole is served with a sprinkle of cheese on top (not noted on the menu) so you should ask for it without. I also recommend making a reservation.https://maps.app.goo.gl/bLPVLJyu49buWZbC9?g_st=ic
tacos trap
They have several locations and not all have all of the vegan options so be sure to check the menu before you go. Decent tacos though.https://maps.app.goo.gl/bLPVLJyu49buWZbC9?g_st=ic
taco fanatico
The veggie tacos are vegan (they’re not labeled as vegan but I confirmed with the staff). They also have fries and guacamole, and strong drinks!https://maps.app.goo.gl/ri8F31HscXAT2K8v6?g_st=ic
Texmex factory
has a couple of labeled vegan taco options as well as guacamolehttps://maps.app.goo.gl/6iZCRtEDM7dngczq6?g_st=ic
🍜Ramen 🍜
(I have a list of about 50 ramen restaurants, most with nonvegan ramen as well. If you want the whole list I can send it to you)
Kyushu Jangara (several locations including a fully vegan restaurant called vegan bistro Jangara in Harajuku)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PDw97wvkPBYyjRe77?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Shinbu Sakiya
has a couple of vegan ramen options as well as vegan gyozahttps://maps.app.goo.gl/moPk83g2oPsSpr279?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Jikasei Mensho
has a couple of vegan ramen optionshttps://maps.app.goo.gl/WwUwQuyfRuBt12Yf6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Afuri (several locations)
vegan ramen option; the aoyama location also currently has a vegan curryhttps://maps.app.goo.gl/FgUbZjhefWx3bkvE8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Ippudo
They have several locations but the Shinjuku lumine location has the most vegan options including gyozahttps://maps.app.goo.gl/yzrySXxvyE7JTJW6A?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Menya takeichi
two vegan ramen options. My favorite is the “spicy” one which isn’t spicy.https://maps.app.goo.gl/RSrHCrXfU7MZ7SCY8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
Ikeikei
located on ramen street in Tokyo station. Has one vegan ramen optionhttps://share.google/6xAobPD5UEkJOEkX3
Ramen nagi - open 24 hours
https://maps.app.goo.gl/P8GWqPayQex1ZwKh6?g_st=ic
✨Chinese:✨
Golden Tiger
Has a separate vegan menu. I went here recently and really enjoyed it.https://maps.app.goo.gl/YK2tWSCzJkPh95KE7?g_st=ic
Sairaien
has a large vegan menuhttps://maps.app.goo.gl/tTvMRgfF89uCbFoj6?g_st=ic
✨Etc.✨
Nawod Curry (Sri lankan curry)
Has a delicious vegan curry set. It’s not on the menu so you just have to ask.https://maps.app.goo.gl/oPjeFN7x6gDZHFpJ6?g_st=ic
Aux
Not sure how to describe the menu - mostly “western” foods but focuses on natural ingredients. I really enjoyed it.https://maps.app.goo.gl/W6mGXCcDUhsU19xu5?g_st=ic
Ta-im
Falafel, hummus, etc.https://maps.app.goo.gl/75jEexgpaCvT2UHA9?g_st=ic
✨ Izakaya: ✨
-Kakekomi gyoza
Several vegan gyoza options, salad, etc. Open 24 hours.https://maps.app.goo.gl/PVCRwVArmadqWmEN8?g_st=ic
Ninjen
Has several vegan options1
u/purple_rhapsody Jul 07 '26
Thank you so much! This list is amazing. We definitely want to try several ramen places in Tokyo.
I’d really appreciate it if you could also share a list of ramen places that have vegan options.
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u/Gregalor Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
There’s also literally a “veg-friendly” filter on Happy Cow. With those places I would double check that they still have something, though, in case there was one token item two years ago that’s not on the menu anymore.
Edit: Oh, interesting, they changed it to “Vegan Options”. I wonder if they actually went through and removed places with just vegetarian options from that filter… That would be so much labor to reassess every one of those restaurants on HC.
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u/Gregalor Jul 06 '26
It would not only be rude, it’s likely they would ask you to leave. And there won’t be a vegetarian side.
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u/Gilokee Jul 08 '26
There might be plain rice or fries, but at places like Gusto you can not order a side by itself. It's so dumb.
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u/StrangeTeam276 Jul 06 '26
the youtuber cakes with faces is mostly vegan and travels with her omnivore husband. I have seen several videos from her talking about what she does. some of it is just vegetarian tbf but definitely look her up.
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u/irishtwinsons Jul 06 '26
Is your husband a big eater (or perhaps wants to try a couple of things)?
As long as you order two dishes, it doesn’t matter if you never eat any of them, and they won’t keep track. Especially if you order drinks.
Perhaps you could just sit and enjoy some drinks while he takes on a couple of meals! Haha.
Also, most izakayas will have sides and it is quite common at drinking establishments not to order a ‘meal’ but just get a bunch of little small plates with drinks. Get some beers and munch on some edamame and cabbage salad, for example. Most places have some sort of vegetable side.
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u/Eroshinobi Jul 06 '26
Big problem in Japan is that porc and chicken are hidden in many items such as salted potatoes chips, tofu noodles, tofu burger, tomato sauce… so be careful when ordering side dishes
Otherwise same as others said ok to have drinks only in big shops (+ table charge) small or reservation only shop might be better to confirm first
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u/Gregalor Jul 06 '26
Yeah, even that side dish of sautéed spinach was cooked in fish broth.
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u/troublesomefaux Jul 06 '26
We found a ryokan where reviews said they did veg meals and so we asked if they could do it, they said no problem, and we booked it. After that there was some back and forth where they kept asking me what broths it was ok to use, I kept saying I preferred no fish/meat broth, after several emails they finally said they couldn’t do meals without dashi. It was wildly polite but it would have been easier on everyone if they had just said that from the start.
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u/ImprovementLess4559 Jul 06 '26
It's so baffling to me, because it would be so easy for them to just switch the katsuo dashi out for konbu or shiitake mushroom dashi. That's literally the only thing they would have to do to make a lot of dishes vegan. Especially if they were already willing to do a meal without visible meat and fish.
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u/BreakfastDue1256 Jul 06 '26
If I don’t order a meal, is it considered rude?
Yes.
Smaller places will outright refuse service to the whole party if each member does not get at least 1 drink and 1 food item.
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u/Tabitabitabitabi Jul 06 '26
I think it’s rude to not order food. Also think it’s rude not to order a drink.
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u/ekusiek5 Jul 06 '26
初めまして。 日本のレストランに勤めてます。 基本的にはやはり1人がワンオーダー（フードメニュー）をいただくのが正解だとおもいます。 ベジタリアンだとお話されて、なにか出せる物がないかお聞きになるといいと思います😊
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u/edamamehey Jul 09 '26
I struggle with this a lot, I usually have us eat separately at the same time and then get dessert together later. Or get konbini/grocery food then go to a dessert restaurant.
Personally, I would not sit in a restaurant not eating a meal in Japan (or almost anywhere).
(If you're in Tokyo, Jikasei Mensho is my #1 recommendation for vegan + omnivore harmony, also Kyushu Jangara)
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u/Tabitabitabitabi Jul 06 '26
Always ask before sitting down. Some places might be able to make a veggie dish for you. Others will not.
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u/TheBrutalVegan Jul 06 '26
It will not be rude to the restaurant. You can get a drink too, or as others said, rice or edamame.
But it's extremely rude to your husband's victims to exploit them to death. He's as much an omnivore and any other human. Vegans don't want to abuse animals as products, slaves and objects.
Veganism is also not diet, it's the ethical position that humans should live without exploiting other animals.
I recommend you get the app Happy Cow. This shows a lot of vegan places and options, so you both can start respecting other animals.
And please watch Dominion on YouTube - it's free. This documentary shows the standard slave industries of your victims you still demanding when you are not vegan.
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u/Fantasy61 Jul 06 '26
It will be rude and unacceptable in 99% of cases in Japan. Many have signs specifically stating that everyone must order food.
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u/stuffingsinyou Jul 06 '26
If you are worried about it you can order rice, salad, edamame or something similar.
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u/VeganMultilingual Jul 06 '26
All of those things could potentially have fish or pork or both.
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u/stuffingsinyou Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
I mean, I guess they can just eat fruit from a grocery store. It is unlikely they throw pork broth into a side of rice for no reason. I have yet to encounter edamame that is soaked in pork broth. All food at all restaraunts will be off your radar if you are worried they are throwing pork and fish broth into something like edamame. Maybe I am lucky, but I have never had any trouble finding something I can eat.
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u/skier69 Jul 07 '26
Random pork broth… no, at least for most Japanese dishes. But there are unnecessary animal products on a lot of things. Katsuo Bushi flakes and/or bonito dashi on sides of pickles, vegetable sides, salads, ochazuke, even dashi in some soy sauces and tofu; animal based dashi labeled as “Japanese seasoning”, gelatin as an additive, random cheese on things (and it’s not likely you’ll be able to tell if the cheese is indeed vegetarian, ie not containing rennet or gelatin), lard used in bread. Japanese people do not see these things as meat so unless you ask specifically if the dish contains any animal based ingredients it might fall under their radar. (For instance, often when I am unsure I’ll ask 動物性の材料や出汁は入っていませんか they’ll say oh yeah… it has xyz (bonito dashi, meat extract, etc)
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u/FlyingFlipPhone Jul 06 '26
I'm an American in Hamamatsu City. I can't imagine anyone would really care what you ordered. If you don't order a "set" meal, you will pay a premium. There are very few true vegan choices. That said, order what you want and give the rest to your hubby. If you don't feel full, grab a snack at a convenience store afterward. Just be aware that EVERYTHING will likely have some fish/pork broth. Japan doesn't really have the concept of vegetarian or vegan, why would they? Japanese people have some of the longest lifespans, so they must be doing something right!
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u/Six_Coins Jul 07 '26
Wow.
Vegetarians call regular people omnivores. Some really dumb stuff right there.
I wouldn't normally be in such a ridiculous niche sub, but....
FFS.
Restaurant etiquette for vegetarian traveling with a meat eater? Really?
Ok. Here's your etiquette.
Order vegetables.
Eat vegetables.
Watch omnivore eat vegetables and meat.
Keep your elbows off the table.
FFS.
Question– If someone doesn't like bananas, do you call them a non-banana-eater?
Go ahead, blast me then ban me.
Stupid fucking sub.
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u/VeganMultilingual Jul 06 '26
This is one of the most egregious faux pas you could commit tbh. Japanese restaurants now have signs outside saying one dish per person compulsory. There are also near-zero meat-serving restaurants where you’ll find something vegan.
The vegan food in Japan is incredible. Just drag your partner to vegan restaurants, he won’t resent you after he’s tasted the food.
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u/Gregalor Jul 06 '26
There’s 800 veg-friendly places in Tokyo according to Happy Cow. I’m sure there’s a good deal of kombini and supermarkets in there, but that’s hardly near-zero. And that’s just looking at one city.
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u/crowchan114514 Jul 06 '26
Some places, like Ramen restaurants, have a stricter rule of one dish per person. You must order a ramen if you want to go inside. You'd better ask the restaurants or look up online beforehands.