We all know one of the must-dos when visiting Osaka is eating. The mouth-watering food is one of the prefecture’s biggest selling points. However, finding a spot to enjoy vegan or vegetarian food might sound difficult as Osaka is famous for its Takoyaki (octopus balls). While finding a vegan/vegetarian-friendly place in Osaka might sound despairing, that is not the case! Restaurants with at least one vegetarian dish on their menu are not hard to come by. So refer to the below list (^_-)-☆.
A List of Recommended Vegan/Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Osaka
- Osaka Station (大阪駅) and Umeda Station (梅田駅)
- Namba (難波), Dōtonbori (道頓堀) & Shinsaibashi (心斎橋)
- Around Tennoji Zoo (天王寺動物園) and Tsūtenkaku (通天閣)
- Shin-Osaka Station (新大阪駅)
- vegecafe+α
- Has gluten-free options.
- Merrymomo (メリーモモ)
- Taiwan Soshoku Rakuzen (台湾蔬食 楽膳)
- Has options without the use of pungent ingredients i.e., garlic and onions
- vegecafe+α
- Higashi Osaka City (東大阪市)
- Shizen Saishoku Rindo (自然菜食りんどう)
- Has options without the use of pungent ingredients i.e., garlic and onions
- Shizen Saishoku Rindo (自然菜食りんどう)
- Northern Osaka Prefecture
- Hirakata City (枚方市)
- Vege Ramen Yuniwa (べじらーめんゆにわ)
- Has options without the use of pungent ingredients i.e., garlic and onions
- Sou Sou Hirakata (草々徒)
- Vege Ramen Yuniwa (べじらーめんゆにわ)
- Southern Osaka Prefecture
Tip: We have also included a list of Vegetarian/Vegan-Friendly Hotels in Osaka at the end of the article!
Vegan and Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants Around Osaka/Umeda Stations
Osaka Station is one of Osaka’s biggest transportation hubs. So if you are unsure about where to dine when you get there, refer to our Vegan and Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants Around Osaka/Umeda Stations article!
Vegan and Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Namba, Dōtonbori, and Shinsaibshi
While Namba, Dōtonbori, and Shinsaibshi areas seem to be filled with meat and seafood restaurants, there are some that are vegan or vegan-friendly. So if you are a vegan or travelling with someone who is, refer to our article on Namba/Shinsaibashi’s Vegan-Friendly Restaurants!
SAIJIKI (咲璽季)
SAIJIKI is a vegan restaurant newly opened in March 2023. It is a restaurant that combines Japan’s Shōjin Ryōri with Taiwanese dishes. While the restaurant’s menu is filled with Taiwanese dishes, the cooking methods are tweaked into a more Japanese methodology and style. The seasonings are closer to Japan’s Shōjin Ryōri too.
The restaurant offers a cozy atmosphere. SAIJIKI’s staff are friendly, making the dining experience even more pleasant. And even better, the food is reasonably priced so you don’t need to splurge money on deliciously made food!
Tips:
☛ If you are unsure how to use the food ticket vending machine at the entrance, check with the staff, who will kindly help you.
☛ Check out SAIJIKI’s toilet. It is amusing!
SAIJIKI’s Business Hours and Access Information
- SAIJIKI is open from Wednesday to Sunday from:
- 11 pm to 3 pm for lunch
- 5 pm to 9 pm for dinner
- The last order is taken 30 minutes before closing time.
- If Monday is a public holiday, it will open the next business day.
- It is:
- A 3-minute walk from Osaka Metro’s Dobutsuen-Mae Station (動物園前駅)
- A 5-minute walk from JR and Osaka Metro’s Tennōji Station (天王寺駅)
- A 10-minute walk from Kintetsu’s Osaka-Abenobashi Station (大阪阿部野橋駅).
vegecafe+α
A vegetarian/vegan-friendly spot around Shin-Osaka Station is vegecafe+α. The beautifully decorated café uses plenty of pesticide-free vegetables from the roof-top garden of the building. It is also renowned for its gelato that has won prizes for three consecutive years from the world-recognized gelato contest!
Remember to ask for the vegetarian/vegan menu because it isn’t a vegan cafe. They also have plenty of gluten-free options!
vegecafe+α’s Business Hours and Access Information
- vegecafe+α is open from 10 am to 6 pm from Wednesday to Sunday.
- It is:
- A 6-minute walk from Osaka Metro’s Nishinakajima-Minamigata Station (西中島南方駅).
- A 10-minute walk from Hankyu’s Minamikata Station (南方駅)
- A 7-minute walk from Shin-Osaka Station (新大阪駅)
Merrymomo (メリーモモ)
Also close to Shin-Osaka Station, there is a vegan restaurant with a macrobiotic diet theme. The restaurant’s motto is “The more you eat, the healthier your body becomes”, so the restaurant sources vegetables grown without chemical fertilizers as much as possible. Seasonings are also carefully selected, using only those made from traditional methods and without chemicals. Of course, you won’t find white sugar in Merrymomo’s kitchen either.
During lunchtime, the most popular menu is the traditional Japanese lunch set. The set comes with a main dish, 4 side dishes, brown rice, and miso soup. As the main dish changes daily, you can visit Merrymomo for a few days in a row without being served the same thing!
The Tantan Noodle (vege bamboo noodles with spicy sesame miso soup) is nice if you are after noodle soup. The taste is close to T’s Tantan Noodle. The soup is thick and delicious.
Merrymomo also has several vegan cakes and desserts, perfect for morning or afternoon tea. The handmade cakes don’t just have a beautiful appearance, but the taste is amazing too!
Tip: The restaurant also serves traditional Japanese breakfast and sells bento boxes.
Merrymomo’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Merrymomo is open from:
- 7:30 am to 10 pm on weekdays
- 11 am to 10 pm on Saturdays
- The last order is taken at 9 pm.
- It is:
- A 5-minute walk from Osaka Metro’s Nishinakajima-Minamigata Station (西中島南方駅).
- A 7-minute walk from Hankyu’s Minamikata Station (南方駅)
- A 10-minute walk from Shin-Osaka Station (新大阪駅)
Taiwan Soshoku Rakuzen (台湾蔬食 楽膳)
Rakuzen was first opened during the pandemic in December 2021 as a takeaway bento shop. As their bento boxes are made to provide a healthy and balanced diet, ingredients are carefully selected. Only those grown from local farms using minimal pesticides are sourced. And of course, only natural seasoning is used!
Surprisingly, all their vegan bento boxes do not contain onions, garlic, shallot, and leek, which is perfect for Buddhists and those who dislike strong-smelling vegetables.
Note that Rakuzen also sells non-vegan bento boxes. Remember to let the staff know if you want the vegan ones.
Tip: We recommend ordering a bento box and a serving of gyoza dumplings. The Veggie Minced Pork Rice (ベジルーロー飯) and Veggie Karaage are nice too.
Important: Reservation through their Instagram Account is essential by 12 pm the day before.
Taiwan Soshoku Rakuzen’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Taiwan Soshoku Rakuzen is open from 11 am to 3 pm from Thursday to Tuesday.
- The last order is taken at 9 pm.
- It is a 15-minute walk from Osaka Metro’s Nishinakajima-Minamigata Station (西中島南方駅) or Hankyu’s Jūsō Station (十三駅) or Shin-Osaka Station (新大阪駅).
Vege Ramen Yuniwa (べじらーめんゆにわ)
If you are after a really nice vegan ramen, visit Vege Ramen Yuniwa. Although the ramen place isn’t close to the main tourist attractions, the noodles there are worth the walk. It is a famous vegan ramen restaurant that, at Kyoto’s Vegetarian Festival, the ramen was sold out in just 6 hours!
The soup, which uses more than 10 kinds of vegetables, is exquisite. Using only organic ingredients, some even said their bodies are lighter after eating Yuniwa’s ramen!
Vege Ramen Yuniwa’s Popular Ramen Noodle Soup
If you are seeking some unique flavors, give Tomato Veggie Ramen (トマトべじらーめん) a try. As it takes a long time to prepare the soup base, the number of servings is limited, and it is often sold out as soon as the store opens! If you still feel a bit hungry after finishing the noodles, order a bowl of rice and mix it with tomato soup. The resulting tomato risotto is fabulous!
Vege Ramen Yuniwa’s signatory ramen is Soy Sauce Veggie Ramen (醤油べじらーめん). The soy sauce used has been matured in cedar barrels, enhancing the flavor of the soy sauce. Although the soup base is simple, it is still tasty!
Tip: If you don’t like garlic and onion, check with the staff to see which ramen you can order.
Another flavor that is worth a try is Lemon Black Sesame Ramen. The soup covered with black sesame will leave a strong impression. When you have the soup in your mouth, the aroma of lemon and black sesame blends together amazingly.
The soup base is created by blending several soy sauce-based broths.
If you want to be like a local, order a plate of pan-fried dumplings to go with your ramen. The veggie gyoza with an irresistible crispy and chewy skin is juicy and addictive!
For a rice dish, consider their Natto Fried Rice.
Vege Ramen Yuniwa’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Vege Ramen Yuniwa is open from:
- 11:30 am to 3 pm
- 5:30 pm to 9 pm.
- The last order is taken 30 minutes before closing time.
- It is a 12-minute walk from Keihan’s Kuzuha Station (樟葉駅).
- You can also take the Keihan Bus from Kuzuha Station’s bus stop no. 5 and get off at Asahi (あさひ).
Sou Sou Hirakata (草々徒)
If you are after a dining experience in a traditional-style spot, visit Sou Sou Hirakata. It is also where you can get a basic idea of how the Japanese elementary schools looked a century ago. The café, renovated from an old house built in 1868, has a stylish interior offering a nice dining atmosphere. Their delicious dishes are well-presented as well.
While Sou Sou Hirakata isn’t a vegetarian restaurant, the Vegetable Lunch (ベジタブルランチ), made from 20 different vegetables, is quite popular.
Just note that the road to Sou Sou Hirakata is quite hilly.
Tip: It is best to make a reservation as Sou Sou Hirakata is quite popular!
Sou Sou Hirakata’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Sou Sou Hirakata is open from 11 am to 4 pm from Wednesday to Sunday.
- If Monday or Tuesday is a public holiday, it will open the next business day.
- It is a 10-minute walk from Keihan’s Hirakata-Koen Station (枚方公園駅).
- You can also take the Keihan Bus from Kuzuha Station’s bus stop no. 5 and get off at Asahi (あさひ).
Shizen Saishoku Rindo (自然菜食りんどう)
Shizen Saishoku Rindo is the perfect spot to visit if you are after Japanese cuisine.
The vegan restaurant isn’t just particular about the ingredients; they also avoid using metal cooking utensils and microwaves. This is so the nutrition is preserved as much as possible throughout the cooking process!
The set menus at Shizen Saishoku Rindo change weekly, so you can come back each week during your time in Osaka to enjoy the Japanese Teishoku that you normally cannot experience at most restaurants!
In addition, even if you travel with meat-eater families and friends, they would still enjoy the food at Shizen Saishoku Rindo. Most of the fake seafood and meat dishes taste almost like the real ones, so they probably won’t realize that it isn’t fake seafood or meat that they are chewing!
Furthermore, unlike many restaurants in Japan, the portions are not small, so you will definitely feel satisfied by the end of the eating session. And because the food there is so delicious, even those who normally have leftovers tend to finish their entire meal!
Tip: If you don’t eat pungent plants, such as garlic, let the staff know for them to remove it from your order.
Shizen Saishoku Rindo’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Shizen Saishoku Rindo is open from Wednesday to Friday from:
- 11:30 am to 2 pm for lunch. The last order is taken at 1:20 pm.
- 5 pm to 9 pm for dinner. The last order is taken at 8:30 pm.
- It also opens for dinner on the 3rd and 4th Saturday.
- It is a 5-minute walk from Kintetsu’s Kawachi-Kosaka Station (河内小阪駅).
The Top Vegan Restaurants in Northern Osaka Prefecture
If you fly into or out of Osaka‘s Isetan Airport or are exploring the Northern Osaka Prefecture, there are a couple of restaurants that you can visit for lunch or dinner. Not only are there a variety of cuisines for you to choose from, but a few even have gluten-free options!
So refer to our article on The Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Northern Osaka Prefecture!
The Top Vegan Restaurants in Southern Osaka Prefecture
If you are visiting the cities in the southern Osaka Prefecture near the Kansai Airport, there are a couple of completely vegan places that you can visit!
Refer to our Top Vegan Restaurants in Southern Osaka Prefecture article for more information!
The Vegan-Friendly Bakeries and Dessert Shops in Osaka
- Sasanoha Pan (ささのはパン)
- It is a vegan bakery.
- Organic Pan Kōbō Soreiyu (オーガニックパン工房)
- The staff will let you know which goods are vegan. When you visit, they might even have vegan pizza baked in a stone oven.
- Hinemosu Pan (天然酵母 ひねもすぱん)
- It is a vegan bakery.
- floresta nature doughnuts (手作りドーナツ専門店フロレスタ)
- The vegan donut stores have a couple of branches across Japan, including Osaka.
- Nanahako Sweet Kōbō (ナナハコスイーツ工房)
- Except for the Chiffon cake, the shop makes their cakes and snacks dairy-free and egg free.
- VeganCafe sister
- The vegan cake shop sells many cute and amazing-looking cakes.
The Supermarkets and Shops in Osaka That Sells Vegan Products
- BIO-RAL Utsubo Shop (ビオラル 靭店)
- Many vegan products are available, including plenty of processed foods that can be used every day, such as meat and tartar sauce.
- Organic vegetables can also be purchased there.
- Natural House Grand Front Osaka Store (Natural Houseグランフロント大阪店)
- Besides the imported vegan products, they also have their own vegan products on the shelf.
- Musubi Garden（ムスビガーデン）
- They have a wide range of products that do not contain food additives. You will also find a couple of items that are only sold at Musubi Garden.
- Kodawariya (自然食品こだわりや)
- Besides vegan food, Kodawariya also offers miscellaneous goods and cosmetics that care for the skin and the environment.
Vegetarian/Vegan-Friendly Hotels in Osaka
If you are after a vegetarian/vegan-friendly accommodation in Osaka, check out the below hotels/ryokans!
- Amami Onsen Nantenen (天見温泉 南天苑)
- An onsen ryokan in Osaka Prefecture‘s Kawachinagano City (河内長野市) that can cater to the vegan and halal diet. Remember to tell them your dietary requirements in advance.
- It is a ryokan where you can dine in your guestroom.
- The staff speak good English.
Discover the Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Kyoto
When you visit Japan’s Kansai region, Osaka probably won’t be the only prefecture on your itinerary. If you also plan to visit Kyoto and need help finding vegan/vegetarian food, refer to our Kyoto’s Vegan-Friendly Restaurants article for places to enjoy delicious vegan/vegetarian dishes!
