We all know one of the must-dos when visiting Osaka is eating. The mouthwatering food is one of the prefecture’s biggest selling points. While it might seem despairing to find a place with a nice vegetarian or even vegan menu as you walk the streets of Dōtonbori, Namba, and Shinsaibashi, that isn’t the case! Vegan and vegetarian food in Dōtonbori and Shinsaibashi aren’t hard to come by. In fact, Namba and Shinsaibashi are the best areas to appreciate vegan food in Osaka. Refer to the list below of vegan/vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Namba and Shinsaibashi, including a couple of places where you can enjoy vegetarian ramen in Osaka (^_-)-☆.
The Vegan and Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Namba/Dōtonbori and Shinsaibashi
- OKO Fun Okonomiyaki Bar (遊べるお好み焼き屋 ＯＫＯ)
- Has gluten-free options.
- Garlic and onion-free/suitable for oriental vegetarian
- Halal Ramen Naniwaya (ハラル麺亭 浪速屋)
- Garlic and onion-free/suitable for oriental vegetarian
- Gyozaoh! Dotonbori (餃子王 道頓堀本店 GYOZAOH)
- Pivot BASE Cafe & Bar ＠Dotonbori
- Shojin Sushi Minamo (精進寿司 みなも)
- Garlic and onion-free/suitable for oriental vegetarian
- Shama Vegetarian Indian Restaurant (菜食インドレストランShama)
- Vegan Ramen by Playpen Friends
- Garlic and onion-free/suitable for oriental vegetarian
- Paprika Shokudo Vegan (パプリカ食堂 Vegan)
- Garlic and onion-free/suitable for oriental vegetarian
- Green Earth (グリーン アース)
- Garlic and onion-free/suitable for oriental vegetarian
- Mercy Vegan Factory (メーシーヴィーガンファクトリー)
- shelter cat ＆ VEGAN café “neu” (保護猫とVeganカフェneu)
- Other Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in the Namba/Shinsaibashi Area
OKO Fun Okonomiyaki Bar (遊べるお好み焼き屋 ＯＫＯ)
OKO Fun Okonomiyaki Bar is the hidden gem in Shinsaibashi. As its name suggests, the restaurant bar is where you will find vegetarian okonomiyaki and other Japanese vegetarian food. The owner, Shiho, runs the entire place by herself. Although she runs the place on her own, she does an amazing job ensuring the bar is a fun place to dine and play! Because of Shiho’s friendly and energetic personality, we are sure some regulars visit OKO because they enjoy her hospitality!
For more information, refer to our OKO Fun Okonomiyaki Bar article!
Halal Ramen Naniwaya (ハラル麺亭 浪速屋)
Just a 2-minute walk from OKO Fun Okonomiyaki Bar, Naniwaya is a halal-certified ramen place. The restaurant is particular about maintaining a healthy diet. No additives or chemicals are added to their ramen soup. So some might find the soup too light, whereas others find the right thickness and taste just right. As the restaurant is popular, arrive early to avoid queuing.
The non-vegetarian broth was made from chicken, bonito, and kombu seaweed. However, Halal Ramen Naniwaya offers two vegan ramen options that are allium-free, accommodating the plant-based diet.
Tips:
☛ You can make a reservation by sending a message to Halal Ramen Naniwaya’s Instagram Account.
☛ There is a prayer room at Naniwaya.
Halal Ramen Naniwaya’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Naniwaya is open from 12 pm to 10:30 pm.
- The last order is taken at 10 pm.
- It is a:
- 3-minute walk from Osaka Metro’s Nagahoribashi Station (長堀橋駅).
- 5-minute walk from Kintetsu’s Nippombashi Station (日本橋駅).
- 20-minute walk from JR Namba Station (難波駅).
Gyozaoh! Dotonbori (餃子王 道頓堀本店 GYOZAOH)
The next restaurant we want to introduce is Gyozaoh. It is one of the best gyoza places in Japan!
The dumpling chain has a couple of restaurants in Osaka. The one in Dōtonbori is the main store. Besides the regular menu, Gyozaoh offers a special vegetarian menu (note that their vegetarian ramen can be somewhat bland). The vegetable gyoza served at Gyozaoh is one of the best in Japan. If you find it not salty enough, follow the staff’s advice and have it with a bit of salt, or dip the dumpling into Gyozaoh’s homemade chilli oil (^_-)-☆.
Their chilli oil is so popular that it is one of the best sellers on their online store. The sesame flavor and mild spiciness of the special chilli oil are the perfect matches for the aroma of spices, and it isn’t as spicy as it seems.
Gyozaoh! Dotonbori Main Store’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Gyozaoh Dotonbori is open from 5 pm to 11 pm.
- The restaurant is a:
- 4-minute walk from Osaka Metro’s Namba Station (難波駅)
- 4-minute walk from Kintetsu and Hanshin’s Namba Station (大阪難波駅)
- 5-minute walk from Namba Station (難波駅)
Pivot BASE Cafe & Bar ＠Dotonbori
Osaka is famous for takoyaki. But you will have a hard time finding a vegan version because the main ingredient of takoyaki is octopus. Fortunately, vegan takoyaki is served at Pivot BASE Cafe & Bar ＠Dotonbori, and the location couldn’t be better! Thus, if you want to try the vegan takoyaki, head to Pivot BASE Cafe & Bar ＠Dotonbori, so you don’t miss out on this delicious food!
In addition to the great food, the service here is great. An English menu is available, and the incredibly friendly staff speaks English.
Most customers would agree that the vegan takoyaki here is exceptional. The restaurant successfully replicates the taste and texture of the dish using plant-based ingredients. Of course, the mayonnaise and the dressing are vegan as well!
Vegan yakisoba, deep-fried skewers, ramen noodles full of flavor, and more are also on the menu, making the restaurant the top spot in the country to try Japanese street food! Because it is a vegan restaurant, you won’t need to go through the hassle of searching for hidden animal products (^_-)-☆.
Sake is also served in the traditional style at Pivot BASE Cafe & Bar ＠Dotonbori. It is served in a wooden box with a glass inside, and the alcohol is poured until the sake overflows.
Refer to HERE for Pivot BASE Cafe & Bar ＠Dotonbori’s menu!
Tip: Let the staff know if you prefer lighter seasoning and want to order yakisoba.
Pivot BASE Cafe & Bar ＠Dotonbori’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Pivot BASE Cafe & Bar @Dotonbori is open from 11:30 am to 12 am.
- It opens early at 11 am on weekends and public holidays.
- The restaurant is a
- 4-minute walk from Osaka Metro’s Namba Station (難波駅)
- 5-minute walk from Kintetsu and Hanshin’s Namba Station (大阪難波駅)
- 5-minute walk from Namba Station (難波駅)
Shojin Sushi Minamo (精進寿司 みなも)
Besides takoyaki and ramen, sushi is another must-eat when people visit Japan. While you can certainly have cucumber sushi rolls at a regular sushi restaurant, you wouldn’t be able to appreciate the experience fully. Thus, ensure Shojin Sushi Minamo is on your itinerary in Osaka. It is the best place to try Japanese vegetarian food. The vegan sushi restaurant is a sister restaurant of Paprika, a vegan restaurant loved by vegans. Plus, the sushi here is allium-free!
Instead of trying to imitate the taste of fish, Shojin Sushi Minamo’s chef brings out the maximum flavors of plant-based ingredients. While the sushi served here looks similar to its seafood counterpart, the taste isn’t. So, dining at Shojin Sushi Minamo is like a journey to the unknown. Each sushi on your plate tastes incredibly unique!
Walking into Shojin Sushi Minamo is like entering a small, regular sushi specialist. The counter seats allow the customer and chef to talk casually. If you have any questions while watching your order being made in front of you, don’t hesitate to ask!
In winter, remember to order their oden. You probably won’t find another place to enjoy a full vegan oden elsewhere!
Tips:
☛ We love the squid cod roe and crab miso sushi.
☛ As there are around a couple of seats, it is best to Make a Reservation.
Shojin Sushi Minamo’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Shojin Sushi Minamo is open from Friday to Tuesday from 5:30 pm to 9 pm (L.O.).
- It is also open on public holidays and the day before a Japanese public holiday.
- The restaurant is a 1-minute walk from Osaka Metro’s Shinsaibashi Station (心斎橋駅) or a 5-minute walk from Yotsubashi Station (四ツ橋駅).
Shama Vegetarian Indian Restaurant (菜食インドレストランShama)
If you prefer something spicy or feel like Indian food, visit Shama Vegetarian Indian Restaurant. It is a must-visit Indian vegetarian restaurant in Osaka. The curry place here is prepared without pungent vegetables such as garlic and onion. If you are a vegan, all menus can be made without animal products, so remember to inform the staff before ordering.
Most of the set menus come with at least 2 choices of curry, making your meal more interesting. In addition to a variety of curry choices, you can also decide on the spice level, so you won’t run into a situation where the curry is too spicy for you to swallow (^_-)-☆.
You can refer to Shama Vegetarian Indian Restaurant menu HERE beforehand.
A large portion of the restaurant’s profit goes towards charities in India.
Shama Vegetarian Indian Restaurant’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Shama Vegetarian Indian Restaurant is open from:
- 11 am to 3 pm for lunch
- 5 pm to 10 pm for dinner
- The restaurant will open on Monday if it is a public holiday.
- It is a 1-minute walk from Osaka Metro’s Yotsubashi Station (四ツ橋駅) or a 5-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station (心斎橋駅) or an 8-minute walk from Namba Station (難波駅).
Vegan Ramen by Playpen Friends
Another restaurant in the Dōtonbori/Shinsaibashi area to visit for vegetarian ramen is Vegan Ramen by Playpen Friends. It is one of the best vegan ramen restaurants in Osaka. If you want to let your non-vegan friends know how good vegan food can taste, Vegan Ramen by Playpen Friends is the restaurant you can consider.
The vegan restaurant has a warm and cozy vibe, perfect for enjoying a bowl of noodle soup! Although there are only three choices on the menu: miso, soy sauce, and tomato, you will enjoy every bite. The friendly staff also makes the entire dining experience more pleasant.
The ramen here is filled with fresh vegetables, which is rather rare in Japan. We tend to experience constipation while traveling in Japan due to a lack of fibre intake. This certainly won’t be the case after a meal at Vegan Ramen by Playpen Friends (´▽｀*).
If you like tofu, order a bowl of their soy sauce or tomato ramen. The atsuage (deep-fried tofu) with the broth is amazing.
Refer to their Instagram Account for Vegan Ramen by Playpen Friends menu!
Tip: You can pay extra to replace the normal noodles with gluten-free noodles.
Vegan Ramen by Playpen Friends’ Business Hours and Access Information
- Vegan Ramen by Playpen Friends is open from 11:30 am to 8 pm from Friday to Wednesday.
- The restaurant opens late at 12 pm on Mondays.
- Vegan Ramen by Playpen Friends is an 8-minute walk from Osaka Metro’s Shinsaibashi Station (心斎橋駅) or a 3-minute walk from Yotsubashi Station (四ツ橋駅).
Paprika Shokudo Vegan (パプリカ食堂 Vegan)
Paprika Shokudo Vegan is a highly rated vegan restaurant in Osaka among the locals. Because only organic, naturally cultivated ingredients and natural seasoning are used, you will have a very healthy meal whenever you dine at Paprika Shokudo Vegan. Whether you prefer Western-style vegan burgers or Japanese-style Donburi rice bowls, you can find them here. They also have vegan sushi!
Paprika Shokudo was originally a vegetarian-friendly spot. But after the owner was hospitalized, he realized the importance of what we put into our mouths each day. So a lot of effort was put into revamping the menu and developing recipes that still taste good without using ingredients derived from animals.
While all dishes are vegan, your meat-eating friends will also enjoy dining here. The soy meat is skilfully cooked to taste almost like real meat!
You can also purchase a couple of vegan dressings and sauces from Paprika Shokudo Vegan. They will be useful when you travel to the parts of Japan that don’t have any vegetarian-friendly restaurants.
You can refer to Paprika Shokudo vegan menu HERE beforehand.
Tip: Paprika Shokudo can prepare many of its dishes without using pungent vegetables such as garlic and onion.
Paprika Shokudo Vegan’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Paprika Shokudo Vegan is open from
- 11:30 am to 2 pm (L.O.) for lunch
- 5:30 pm to 8 pm (L.O.) for dinner
- It is a 7-minute walk from Osaka Metro’s Shinsaibashi Station (心斎橋駅) or a 6-minute walk from Nishi-Ohashi Station (西大橋駅).
Tip: Paprika Shokudo also has a restaurant in Shinsekai near Tsutenkaku and Tennoji Park. Refer to HERE for the location.
Green Earth (グリーン アース)
Green Earth is the longest-established vegan restaurant in Osaka, serving incredible vegan food since 1991. All the seasonings used at Green Earth are natural. The dressings and sauces are handmade from plant-based ingredients, free from preservatives. So if you have been eating unhealthily, come to Green Earth and detox!
While some might think you have to eat a lot to be full if only vegetables are consumed, that isn’t the case at Green Earth! The restaurant has a unique cooking style, so you will still feel satisfied without meat.
Even if you aren’t a vegetarian, the dishes made with various herbs, spices, and nuts will ensure a pleasant dining experience (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
The Daily Special Lunch Set Menu (日替わりランチ) includes cuisines from around the world, allowing you to enjoy the normally meat/seafood dishes without harming animals. If you prefer Western-style dishes, they also have pasta, curry rice, and sandwiches.
If you like snacking, many of Green Earth’s cookies are made from rice flour. So remember to grab a few packs before leaving!
Refer to HERE for Green Earth’s menu.
Tips:
☛ If you don’t like garlic and onion, check with the staff to see what you can order.
☛ For desserts, order a piece of soy cheesecake or apple pie!
Green Earth’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Green Earth is open from 11:30 am to 6 pm from Monday to Saturday.
- The last order is taken at 5 pm.
- The restaurant also closes on public holidays.
- It is a 5-minute walk from Osaka Metro’s Honmachi Station (本町駅).
Mercy Vegan Factory (メーシーヴィーガンファクトリー)
You might have heard of the egg salad sandwich. But you wouldn’t be able to know how awesome it is if you are a vegan. If you are keen to give the egg salad sandwich a try, visit Mercy Vegan Factory when you are in Osaka.
You will also find Korean kimbap and a variety of vegan desserts, including pudding, tarts, fruit sandwiches, and cakes. In addition to being a vegan spot, Mercy Vegan Factory does not use any artificial seasoning. So, not only does the cafe’s food taste incredible, but it also supports a healthy diet!
Mercy Vegan Factory was founded by Mr. and Mrs. Sanada, who were once avid food enthusiasts who would travel for good food. One day, they began to worry about how much longer they could live if they continued their current lifestyle. As we all know, being a vegan in Japan is challenging. It is even more challenging for foodies because eating isn’t all about gaining nutrition for them. The food has to taste good!
Thus, they started Mercy Vegan Factory, which offers mouthwatering food that they love. It is a café that hires non-vegan chefs. In other words, the food has to satisfy the palates of meat eaters, too. Because so much effort has been put into creating vegan dishes that are delicious to everyone, you will want to come back once you have dined at Mercy Vegan Factory.
The Must-Try Vegan Food at Mercy Vegan Factory
How good is the food? Their fresh and flavorful kimbap won a reward last year. The egg salad sandwich is creamy and eggy as it should be. If you weren’t told, you would have thought what you had put into your mouth was real eggs. The sponge cake is so light that its texture is almost like fairy floss!
Their pudding is another must-eat for those with a sweet tooth. The chef manages to replicate the texture of a custard!
Mercy Vegan Factory’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Mercy Vegan Factory is open from Sunday to Friday from
- 8 am to 10:30 am for breakfast
- 10:30 to 5 pm for lunch
- The cafe is an 8-minute walk from Osaka Metro’s Tanimachi Kyū-chōme Station (谷町九丁目駅).
shelter cat ＆ VEGAN café “neu” (保護猫とVeganカフェneu)
If you love animals, especially cats, the shelter cat ＆ VEGAN café “neu” is the spot for you when you are in the Namba/Shinsaibashi Area. It is a spot where you can enjoy vegan food and meet rescued cats waiting to be adopted. Each of them is cute and has a unique personality. The dining area on the second floor is next to the cat’s room, which is enclosed with glass, keeping the dining space hygienic.
For more information, refer to our article on VEGAN café “neu”!
Other Vegan-Friendly Cafes and Restaurants in Namba and Shinsaibashi
- Smile Kitchen (スマイルキッチン)
- Another great authentic Indian restaurant worth visiting, north of Shinsaibashi Station.
- The restaurant has a separate vegetarian/vegan menu. If you are unsure about what to order, please check with the friendly staff.
- Please remember to inform the staff that you would like your food prepared without any animal products if you are vegan.
- The naan is incredible but not vegan.
- The Indian owner is extremely nice and caring. He will ensure you have a great time eating at his restaurant. Of course, he speaks English.
- Hananoki (花の木)
- A small but cozy traditional okonomiyaki and yakisoba restaurant in Kuromon Market in Osaka.
- Okonomiyaki and yakisoba can be made vegan on request.
- There is a separate vegetarian menu.
- Various vegan/vegetarian ingredients can be added to the okonomiyaki.
- Please remind the staff to add less sauce to your order if you typically find street food in Japan to be too salty.
- VeganCafe sister
- A vegan sweets specialist in Osaka. Their desserts are as exquisite as artworks and taste amazing. Whether you are a vegan or not, you will love this place.
- It is a godsend that offers flavorful desserts without being sickeningly sweet.
- A couple of gluten-free sweets are also available.
- The cafe has a peaceful and relaxing vibe, perfect for an afternoon tea.
- Vegetarian Suishoku Konan (素食 江南)
- An authentic vegetarian Chinese restaurant in Osaka that can cater to various dietary requirements, including oriental vegetarian/no onion or garlic.
- The portions are big, so keep that in mind when ordering. If you have leftovers, they can pack them for you.
- The pan-fried dumplings are delicious.
- LUU’s BAO
- A popular Taiwanese vegan bao bun and donut stand.
- The bao is big and pricing is reasonable.
- While the stand is usually busy, the service is excellent.
- The bao buns have different flavorful fillings you can choose from. If the deep-fried maitake mushroom bao is on the menu, order it!
- Allium-free options available/upon request.
- Luu’s Bao vegan bao specialty shop menu
Discover the Vegan/Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Other Parts of Osaka
Obviously, the Namba and Shinsaibashi area in Osaka won’t be the only part of the prefecture you visit. Other parts of the prefecture have vegan-friendly restaurants, too!
So refer to our Top Vegan and Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Osaka for places to enjoy delicious vegan/vegetarian food!
