Probably because the city houses the magnificent Matsumoto Castle and is close to Takayama, Matsumoto receives more international tourists than the rest of Nagano Prefecture. To accommodate different dietary requirements, vegan/vegetarian-friendly restaurants aren’t uncommon in the city. So, given you have a couple of restaurant choices, refer to the below and pick a few for your visit!
The Vegan-Friendly Cafes/Restaurants in Matsumoto
- noodle stand THREE P’S
- Burger Chop (バーガーチョップ)
- Itōya (小料理 いとう家)
- Can cater to gluten-free diet
- Kobayashi Soba (信州松本こばやし本店)
- Storyhouse Cafe & Bar
- Matsumoto Asian Station (松本アジアンステーション)
- Can cater to halal diet
- Doon Shokudo Indoyama (DOON食堂 印度山)
- Can cater to gluten-free diet
noodle stand THREE P’S
Just a 5-minute walk from Matsumoto Station, noodle stand THREE P’S newly opened in 2024 on the first floor of Hotel Welcome Matsumoto (ホテルウェルカム). The noodle place is the first branch of Men Impossible from Amsterdam. Although the restaurant originated in Europe, its Tantanmen recipe has been accustomed to the flavors of Shinshu (信州), the region where Matsumoto is located. In fact, it is a place for you to try something new and be blown away by the brothless tantan noodles!
noodle stand THREE P’S is 100% plant-based. The rich sauce made from vegetables and mushrooms combines really well with the extra-thick, chewy noodles.
The restaurant’s setting is your typical Japanese ramen restaurant with a couple of low, narrow tables attached to the wall and stools. But with the contemporary decor, noodle stand THREE P’S has an energetic but cozy vibe.
The Menu at noodle stand THREE P’S
The menu at noodle stand THREE P’S is simple, with only two choices. Each is topped with plenty of vegetables that go really well with the sauce and the thick noodles. No matter which flavor you order, there are two different sauces on the noodles. The best way to enjoy the noodles here is to have a couple of mouthfuls without mixing. Mix them together once you know how each sauce tastes to change the flavor.
In addition, your order also comes with three different toppings. Thus, remember to use them to enjoy the noodles in a variety of flavors. In fact, upgrade the large size so you have enough noodles to try each flavor properly.
- Red Spicy Umami (うま辛)
- The restaurant’s unique blended spice sauce is combined with chilli oil, bringing the deliciousness to the next level.
- Black Roasty Sesame (黒ゴマ)
- It is a bowl of noodles full of black sesame’s pleasant aroma.
Besides the mains, locally brewed alcohol is also on the menu.
noodle stand THREE P’S Business Hours and Access Information
- noodle stand THREE P’S is open from
- 5 pm to 11 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays
- 5 pm to 12 am on Fridays and Saturdays
- The last order is taken 30 minutes before closing.
- The restaurant is a 5-minute walk from Matsumoto Station.
Burger Chop (バーガーチョップ)
If you want a quick bite in Matsumoto, grab a burger from Burger Chop. The burgers here have amazed most of its customers and can easily outrank other burger restaurants you have tried. Whether it is the burger or the drink, the portion is generous. So, you will definitely be satisfied at the end of the meal. Being particular about using the ingredients produced locally, it is a spot where you can enjoy fast food made with fresh produce at a reasonable price. The best thing about Burger Chop is they can replace the meat patty with a plant-based patty!
Burger Chop, on the second floor of the building, has an energetic atmosphere. With the welcoming and friendly staff, your dining experience here will definitely be pleasant. The background music perfectly matches the place’s vibe and makes the spot a relaxing and cozy place to dine. As the food is served fast, you most likely won’t need your phone to keep you entertained. You will be too busy admiring the place and munching the food!
About Burger Chop’s Menu
The fluffy buns are made using wheat from Nagano Prefecture and have more wheat aroma than the average burger bun. While Burger Chop is very proud of its juicy meat patty, it has a vegan burger on the menu. You can even request that your burger be cooked using utensils dedicated to vegetables!
The burger specialist has 14 types of burgers on the menu. Each of them comes with homemade fried chips, which are amazing. The oil content is lower than that of the typical fast food chain, making it healthier to consume. But the chips still have a crispy skin and moist texture. The spice sprinkled on top makes the fries even more incredible. Because the burger only comes with a few chips on the side, you can order more if you like the taste.
Burger Chop’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Burger Chop is open from Tuesday to Sunday from
- 11:30 am to 2 pm (L.O 1:30pm)
- 5:30 pm to 10 pm (L.O 9pm)
- If Monday is a public holiday, Burger Chop will open.
- The restaurant is a 10-minute walk from Matsumoto Station.
Itōya (小料理 いとう家)
If you are after a vegan-friendly Izakaya, visit Itōya. You can enjoy homemade local dishes prepared using locally sourced ingredients, including vegan and gluten-free dishes. The owner, Itōya-san, speaks English and tries her best to make things easy at her restaurant. She runs the entire place and will give you a wholesome and comforting time with her bright and friendly personality and top-notch service.
Refer to our Itōya article for more information and what to expect for the night!
Kobayashi Soba (信州松本こばやし本店)
Soba noodles are one of the must-try dishes in Japan. But because most restaurants use sauce and broth made from bonito, vegans and vegetarians usually can’t enjoy the noodles by going into any restaurants. So, when you are in Matsumoto, ensure you stop by Kobayashi Soba.
The restaurant that offers top-notch service and phenomenal food can replace the fish broth/sauce with vegan broth made from mushrooms!
For more information, refer to our article on Kobayashi Soba!
Storyhouse Cafe & Bar
If you crave American-style food in Matsumoto, stop by Storyhouse Café & Bar. The hummus and avocado bagel sandwich is vegan. There is also a vegan curry. Furthermore, it is one of the few places in the Nagano Prefecture where you can enjoy a nice cup of coffee made to the Westerner’s standards (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
The restaurant was opened by Chris from Seattle with his Japanese wife in 2016. Walking into the spacious American-style cafe is like visiting a friend in the States. Not only is the interior American-style, but the sweet couple who runs the place makes sure their customers feel homey and relaxed.
With a kid’s space at the back and a bar counter, the place is great for both families and a casual drink. Throughout the year, events are held to celebrate various festivals.
When the restaurant isn’t so busy, the owner will be more than happy to strike up a conversation with you and make some recommendations on attractions to visit in Matsumoto!
Alternative milk options are also available, including almond milk.
Tip: Ensure you order an apple pie. Apples from the other side of Matsumoto Castle are used to make the incredible homemade pie.
Storyhouse Cafe & Bar’s Business Hours and Access Information
- The shop is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm from Thursday to Tuesday.
- The business hours are extended to 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
- From JR Matsumoto Station (松本駅), it is a 13-minute walk.
Check out their English calendar HERE by clicking the “Event” button towards the end of the webpage.
Matsumoto Asian Station (松本アジアンステーション)
If you love naan bread, the best restaurant in Matsumoto to visit is Asian Station. Using a tandoor, the naan bread served in the restaurant will easily top the most delicious naan spots you have ever been to. The place, run by Nepalese, also has vegan and halal options, making it suitable for dining for people with different dietary requirements.
For more information, refer to our article on Matsumoto Asian Station!
Doon Shokudo Indoyama (DOON食堂 印度山)
If you are in Matsumoto and crave Indian food, visit Doon Shokudo Indoyama. It is where you can find delicious home-style Indian food with a light twist to the Japanese taste. Many dishes are cooked using the recipes from the owner/chef’s grandmother from India. Like Kobayashi Soba, the couple who run the restaurant provides impeccable hospitality and speaks English. So, there is no need to worry about language barriers. In fact, you will enjoy chatting with the owner, who was from India, if you are up for a pleasant conversation!
Refer to our Doon Shokudo Indoyama article for more information!
Explore the Fascinating Attractions in Matsumoto City
Wonder what attractions in Matsumoto are worth your time? Check out our list of selected attractions in Matsumoto that you won’t want to miss out on.
There are a couple of places where you can source delicious natural water from in the city center, an art museum filled with Kusama Yayoi’s eye-opening contemporary artworks, places perfect for cherry blossom and fall foliage hunting, and a lot more!
For more information, please refer to our article on Matsumoto!
