Kichijōji in Tokyo has many amazing cafes and restaurants, but many don’t cater to a vegan diet. Fortunately, there are still a couple of places for us vegan and vegetarian to visit. Most offer meat and vegan options, perfect for those who travel with non-vegan families and friends!
Table of Contents
- Omusubi Gonbei (おむすび権米衛)
- Banh Mi☆Sandwich (バインミーサンドイッチ)
- with PADDY (ウィズパディ)
- momento (モメント)
- Sunday Vegan (サンデーヴィーガン)
- Where is a dog (ウェア イズ ア ドッグ?)
- Gluten-free restaurant with many vegan options
- Organic Restaurant Hiroba (オーガニックレストラン「広場」)
- Other Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Kichijōji
Omusubi Gonbei (おむすび権米衛)
If you are in a hurry in Kichijōji or want to have a picnic at Inokashira Park, visit Omusubi Gonbei (おむすび権米衛) at Kichijoji Station’s south (park) exit. The rice ball shop chain offers rice balls in various flavors and some of them are vegan and/or gluten-free!
For more information, refer to our article on Omusubi Gonbei!
Banh Mi☆Sandwich (バインミーサンドイッチ)
If you haven’t had a chance to try the Vietnamese sandwich because of the vegan diet, it is time to know how talented the Vietnamese are when it comes to sandwich making. Banh Mi Sandwich is conveniently located in Harmonica Yokochō at Kichijoji Station’s north exit. Besides the usual pork and chicken flavors, it also has a few sandwiches with vegan fillings. Different plates and knives are used to make vegan sandwiches, so there is no need to worry about cross-contamination.
Don’t underestimate the humble sandwich. It is phenomenal! Although it is smaller than a foot-long subway sandwich, you are likely to feel more satisfied after eating it! If a full-size sandwich is too much for you, order a mini sandwich. This option also allows you to enjoy different flavors without ordering too much!
It might surprise you, but baguette plays a key role in the success of a Vietnamese sandwich. It has to be light and crisp. And Banh Mi☆Sandwich perfect the formula.
Extra toppings, such as avocado, can be added with extra charges. So, you can make your Vietnamese sandwich closer to your perfection by paying more!
Dessert sandwiches are also available!
In addition to the sandwiches, bread, pastries, and cookies are also on sale. Check with the staff to see which one is vegan!
Banh Mi☆Sandwich’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Banh Mi☆Sandwich is open from 10 am to 8:30 pm.
- The restaurant is a 2-minute walk from Kichijoji Station’s north exit.
with PADDY (ウィズパディ)
If you fancy Mexican cuisine in Tokyo, visit with PADDY. The Mexican restaurant on Nakamichi-dōri Street (中道通り商店街) has a couple of vegan options, such as tacos and burritos. The food here is Japanese twisted but has great flavors.
Whether it is burrito or salad bowl, the dish includes ten types of fresh vegetables. The burritos, rice bowls, and tacos also have homemade salsa, guacamole, and your choice of filling added. Compared to the Mexican restaurants in Sydney, with PADDY has more options, including seafood. If you are a vegan or vegetarian, let the staff know your dietary requirements and they will make the vegan version for you.
Note that their homemade salsa contains chili. It can be quite spicy if you have a low tolerance for spiciness. You can order a burrito bowl (rice bowl) and get rid of the chili before eating. On the other hand, if you need more seasoning to make it more authentic Mexican food, three sauces are provided for you to add: jalapeno vinegar, smoked chili pepper, and mayonnaise.
Tip: with PADDY’s juice is nice and is 100% sugar-free.
with PADDY’s Business Hours and Access Information
- with PADDY is open from
- 11:30 am to 3:30 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm on weekdays
- 11:30 am to 9 pm on Saturdays
- 11:30 am to 7 pm on Sundays
- The restaurant is a 2-minute walk from Kichijoji Station’s north exit.
momento (モメント)
A great vegan-friendly Italian diner near Inokashira Park is momento. The chefs here were trained and worked in Italian restaurants in Italy, and the dishes served here are authentic. Moreover, they have won awards at Japan’s vegan cooking competitions in 2020! Thus, there is no doubt that the couple of vegan options and the lunch and dinner courses made without animal products taste heavenly!
For more information, refer to our article on momento!
Sunday Vegan (サンデーヴィーガン)
For a Western-style vegan breakfast, visit Sunday Vegan! It is where your non-vegan friends will be surprised by how good food made without animal products can be.
The vegan bakery is close to Inokashira Park, so you can enjoy their tasty pastry in the lush nature. If the benches at the back of the store are vacated, you are also welcome to enjoy their delicious products there!
The store is most famous for its vegan handmade donuts. Many customers rate the donuts here as the best they have ever tasted. So, don’t be surprised to find a queue when you arrive!
The flavors change according to the season, so seasonal ingredients can be used instead of using artificial flavoring. The baked goods are made throughout the day, which guarantees the freshness of the pastry on the plates. Unlike most donuts sold elsewhere, Sunday Vegan’s donuts are less-sweetened. Even the chocolate flavor isn’t overly sugared! If you don’t have a sweet tooth, order a berry-flavored donut. The cream is berry-infused that it has the fruit’s sourness. The lemon-flavored glaze donut or the coffee-flavored donuts are also great choices for those who don’t usually enjoy desserts.
The flavored donuts are lightly sugar-coated, so they are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. In fact, Sunday Vegan’s donuts have an amazing fluffy and chewy texture! In addition, you will be surprised by the soy cream. The cream tastes almost like milk cream, which made us doubt if it is really vegan!
Tips:
☛ If the custard donut is on the menu, order it. It has the right balance of creaminess and sweetness. The best custard flavor is the one that includes cream. But it won’t be available in the hot summer as the cream will melt.
☛ It is best to consume their product as soon as possible. As no animal products are used, the filling or sugaring can melt or become stale after a while.
☛ Order a cup of oat latte if you like coffee.
☛ Gluten-free options might be available, too.
Sunday Vegan’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Sunday Vegan is open from 8 am to 5 pm.
- The store is a 5-minute walk from Kichijoji Station’s south exit.
Where Is a Dog? (ウェア イズ ア ドッグ?)
The gluten-free cafe in a small lane intersects with the Nakamichi-dōri Shopping Street (中道通り商店街) has a really interesting name called Where is a dog. In addition to being a gluten-free spot, many incredible vegan options are on the menu.
For more information about the cafe, including the reason for its interesting name, refer to our article on Where Is a Dog!
Organic Restaurant Hiroba (オーガニックレストラン「広場」)
For those who prefer organic food, visit Crayon House’s Organic Restaurant Hiroba on Taishō-dōri Shopping Street (大正通り). Lunch and dinner are served in buffet style. The menu changes daily, so you won’t be eating the same thing if you visit for two days in a row. With a focus on the quality of the ingredients and their natural flavor, the meal is healthy, and you won’t feel like you have eaten a lot of artificial seasonings.
For more information, refer to our Organic Restaurant Hiroba!
Other Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Kichijōji
- Soup Stock Tokyo
- A soup restaurant chain that has vegan soup most of the time. Light meal options, such as curry, is always available.
- As flavors available are depending on the season, check with the staff upon arrival for vegan options.
- Harmonica Quina (ハモニカ・クイナ)
- A taco rice restaurant in Harmonica Yokochō at Kichijoji Station’s north exit.
- Although there is only one vegan option, the taco rice with avocado and homemade beans is delicious and filling.
- Far East Bazaar
- A shop is famous for its unique ice cream flavors with several vegan options available.
- The shop also sells many Arabic and Middle Eastern food and snacks. Vegan and vegetarian items are marked for your convenience.
- SOPRA (ソプラ)
- An Italian restaurant in Inokashira Park that may be able to adjust the ingredients to cater to special dietary requirements.
- 81 Noodle Bar (麺ハチイチ/81 NOODLE BAR)
- A ramen restaurant with a vegan option.
- Umenohana (梅の花 吉祥寺店)
- A traditional kaiseki (multi-course) restaurant chain with a focus on tofu. The entire restaurant has a traditional setting, and tatami mats cover the floor.
- A reservation is required to enjoy the vegan kaiseki at Umenohana. Same-day reservation is accepted.
- Like other kaiseki restaurants, the food at Umenohana is beautifully presented and tastes amazing.
- Reservation can be done online HERE or by calling them at 0422-28-0320.
- Orido
- A restaurant that uses organic ingredients to prepare food for its customers.
- There are a few vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free lunch sets you can choose from.
- Vegan and gluten-free desserts are available, too.
Discover the Attractions in Kichijōji
Now you know where to go for a meal, it is time to discover the attractions in Kichijōji. The neighborhood rated “The Most Desirable Area to Live” is great for almost everything. It is also where the famous Ghibli Museum is located!
So, for more ideas of what to do in the area, refer to our Kichijōji article!
