Although not very close to Sendai Station, MUKU has gained much popularity among the locals since its opening in November 2024. As it opens at 8 o’clock in the morning, it is where you can head to for a healthy breakfast. In addition to the incredibly tasty plant-based lunch menu, MUKU’s vegan dessert range is also a must-try!
About MUKU
MUKU has a focus on providing healthy food to its customers. While meat and seafood are part of its menu, the cafe takes animal welfare seriously and uses animal products from ethically raised animals. The plant-based ingredients used at MUKU were also grown with minimal artificial intervention. Thus, each plate served at MUKU is packed with energy and the blessings of nature.
The interior, created with wooden furniture and soft white walls, is both warm and sophisticated. The walls are decorated with colorful art posters, creating a playful vibe. Small flowers are placed on the tables, highlighting the restaurant’s thoughtful touches.
Tip: Check out MUKU’s stairs even if your seat is on the ground floor. You will find cute dog and mouse images (^^)/
If you visit MUKU with a larger group, the large table on the 2nd floor will be perfect for you (see the 2nd photo in the IG post). On the other hand, sit on the ground floor to meet customers’ pets (although we sadly didn’t meet any)!
You will find the dishes served at MUKU have something in common. Each ingredient is served without much processing. Why? Because MUKU wants to serve food in their original form to their customers, reminding people of the importance of innocence. This belief also reflects on the cafe’s name. MUKU (無垢), which means purity in Japanese.
The Plant-Based Food at MUKU
If you are a vegan, you can order the tofu salad bowl and the Koji minestrone. Both are incredible. We also love the two pasta dishes that we ordered on two separate visits. They were so good that we wish the portion were bigger!
In addition to the vegan light meal options, MUKU offers several vegan desserts, including ice cream and cakes. You will be surprised by how rich and delicious MUKU’s vegan ice cream is!
If a dessert isn’t available on the day of your visit, check with the staff to see if they will make it on another day. We were disappointed during our first visit that there was no vegan cherry-rare cheesecake available that day. The staff said they could make it if we came back another day, which we did!
Tip: MUKU also has several gluten-free menu items!
MUKU’s Business Hours and Access Information
- MUKU is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm.
- The last order is taken at 4 pm.
- The cafe is a 10-minute walk from Sendai Station.
Other Vegan-Friendly Spots in Sendai
Sendai is the biggest city in the Tohoku region. So, if you are planning to be one of the 20 million tourists visiting the city soon, the good news is that there are several vegan or vegetarian-friendly spots where you can enjoy Japan’s delicious food just like everyone else! The vegan/vegetarian food served in the restaurants and cafes in Sendai is just as good and tasty as the meat/seafood dishes, if not better!
For more information, refer to our article on The Guide to Sendai’s Vegan-Friendly Restaurants!
Discover the Fantastic Attractions in Sendai to Visit
You might not be aware of it, but Sendai, the Tōhoku region‘s biggest city, receives more than 20 million tourists each year!
So if you want to find out how Sendai managed to attract so many visitors, refer to our article on Sendai, which is filled with historical, cultural, and natural attractions (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
