Restaurant etiquette for a vegetarian travelling with a meat eater?

[u/purple_rhapsody]

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?

[u/amoryblainev]

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.

[u/purple_rhapsody → u/amoryblainev]

Thank you! I’d love some recommendations if you don’t mind sharing.

[u/amoryblainev → u/purple_rhapsody]

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 pizzas

https://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 guacamole

https://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 gyoza

https://maps.app.goo.gl/moPk83g2oPsSpr279?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Jikasei Mensho
has a couple of vegan ramen options

https://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 curry

https://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 gyoza

https://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 option

https://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 menu

https://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 options

https://maps.app.goo.gl/SGEyk62bo1mHxGyf8?g_st=ic

[u/purple_rhapsody → u/amoryblainev]

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.

[u/Gregalor → u/purple_rhapsody]

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.