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 (^_-)-☆.
The Recommended Vegan/Vegetarian-Friendly Spots in Osaka
- The Vegan/Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Kansai Airport
- Chain Restaurants that have vegan options:
- Kyushu Ramen Kiou Shin-Osaka Station (らーめん亀王 JR新大阪駅店) and Morinomiya (らーめん亀王 森ノ宮店)
- Has options without the use of pungent ingredients i.e., garlic and onions
- Umenohana (梅の花)
- Kyushu Ramen Kiou Shin-Osaka Station (らーめん亀王 JR新大阪駅店) and Morinomiya (らーめん亀王 森ノ宮店)
- Around Osaka Station (大阪駅) and Umeda Station (梅田駅)
- Around Namba (難波), Dōtonbori (道頓堀) & Shinsaibashi (心斎橋)
- Around Shin-Osaka Station (新大阪駅)
- Around Tennoji Zoo (天王寺動物園) and Tsūtenkaku (通天閣)
- In 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)
- In Northern Osaka Prefecture
- In 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)
- In Southern Osaka Prefecture
- Other Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Osaka
- The Vegan-Friendly Bakeries and Dessert Shops in Osaka
- The Supermarkets and Shops in Osaka That Sells Vegan Products
- Vegetarian/Vegan Friendly Hotels in Osaka
Tip: We have also included a list of Vegetarian/Vegan-Friendly Hotels in Osaka at the end of the article!
The Vegan/Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Kansai Airport
- Onigiri Burger Kansai Airport (おにぎりバーガー)
- A delicious onigiri burger specialist near gate 19 at Kansai Airport Terminal 1.
- Onigiri burger is a fusion dish that uses seaweed and rice to replace burger buns.
- The Atsuage Tofu Cutlet With Homemade Miso onigiri burger can be made vegetarian. Remember to let the staff know your dietary requirements when ordering.
- The portion is bigger than the rice balls from convenience stores and will fill you up.
- Osaka Tenman Sushidokoro Nishiya (大阪天満 すし処西屋)
- A sushi restaurant on Kansai Airport’s 2nd floor (Domestic Departure Floor).
- While vegetarian/vegan options are limited, it is a good place to have Japanese cuisine in Japan before departure.
Kyushu Ramen Kiou Shin-Osaka Station (らーめん亀王 JR新大阪駅店) and Morinomiya (らーめん亀王 森ノ宮)
Ramen is one of the most commonly known Japanese foods. While most ramen’s broth isn’t vegan, there are a couple of restaurants in Japan that serve vegan ramen. One of them is Kyushu Ramen Kiou. The tonkotsu ramen specialist founded in Kyūshū has added a couple of vegan options since December 2023. After three years of trial and error, the restaurant finally found its perfect recipe. Their vegan allium-free tonkotsu and miso ramen are as delicious as the ones served in Saido (菜道), the famous vegan restaurant in Tokyo. Moreover, their vegan miso ramen is allium-free!
Currently, a vegan menu is available in their Morinomiya and Shin-Osaka restaurant. A set of cutting boards, knives, pots, and chopsticks for cooking are used when cooking for vegan ramen in both restaurants. Kiou’s Shin-Osaka restaurant also has a noodle boiling machine dedicated to vegan ramen.
Kiou’s noodles are bouncy, just as you would expect from a ramen specialist. You will be satisfied with one slurp of the thick broth. Spicy options are also available. Moreover, the plant-based pork slices are phenomenal. They have the right seasoning and texture, resembling a well-cooked pork belly!
In addition to the ramen noodles, they also serve vegan dumplings. The taste is so close to the meat dumplings that Kiou only serves vegan dumplings in their Shin-Osaka Station restaurant. Most customers don’t notice the difference until they are told! But the dumplings aren’t suitable for oriental vegetarians, as garlic and leek are part of the ingredients.
Note that we recommend confirming with the staff whether the dumplings are vegan before ordering. The restaurant could start offering meat dumplings again
Kyushu Ramen Kiou Shin-Osaka Station and Morinomiya’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- Kyushu Ramen Kiou Shin-Osaka Station is open from 10 am to 10 pm.
- The last order is taken at 9:30 pm.
- Kyushu Ramen Kiou Shin-Osaka Station is on the 2nd floor in the Arde shopping center. Exit from the gates at the Central Exit if you take the bullet train.
- Note Arde’s 2nd floor is between JR’s platform and street level.
- Kyushu Ramen Kiou Morinomiya is open from 10 am to 11 pm.
- The last order is taken at 10:30 pm.
- Kyushu Ramen Kiou Morinomiya is a 2-minute walk from Osaka Loop Line’s Morinomiya Station (森ノ宮駅).
Umenohana (梅の花)
Umenohana is a traditional kaiseki (multi-course) restaurant chain with a big focus on tofu. The entire restaurant has a traditional setting, with tatami mats covering the floor. The experience you would get at Umenohana is similar to a fine dining restaurant. But the price you pay is still relatively budget friendly.
Like other kaiseki restaurants, the food at Umenohana is beautifully presented and tastes amazing! In addition, private rooms are available for those who prefer some privacy while dining.
In Osaka, Umenohana has restaurants in Umeda (梅田店), Honmachi (本町店), Senri-chuo (千里中央店), Sakai (さかい利晶の杜店), and Takatsuki (高槻店).
A reservation is required to enjoy the vegan kaiseki (菜食懐石) at Umenohana. Same-day reservation is accepted.
- Reservation can be done online HERE or by calling them at 06-6258-6533 for their Umeda restaurant. For other restaurants, refer to the links to the official websites we have embedded above.
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!
The Vegan-Friendly Restaurants Near Shin-Osaka Station
Shin-Osaka Station is probably the first train station many would arrive at when visiting Osaka because it is the prefecture’s main bullet train station. Fortunately, there are a couple of vegan-friendly restaurants near the station where non-meat eaters can enjoy food. These restaurants are great places to grab your your first meal in Japan. A few of them even offers gluten-free options!
For more information, refer to our article on The Vegan-Friendly Restaurants Near Shin-Osaka Station!
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 close 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).
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 3 pm from Wednesday to Sunday.
- If Monday or Tuesday is a public holiday, it will close the next business day.
- 11 am to 4 pm on weekends
- 11 am to 3 pm from Wednesday to Sunday.
- 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 3 pm for lunch.
- The last order is taken at 2 pm.
- 5 pm to 9 pm for dinner.
- A reservation by 12 pm the day before is required for dinner.
- 11:30 am to 3 pm for lunch.
- 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!
Other Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Osaka
Japanese Cuisine
- Kasu-Udon Ebisuya 2nd Store (かすうどん恵美須屋2号店)
- An udon specialist near Tsutenkaku and Tennoji Zoo that have a vegetarian/vegan menu.
- It is a hidden gem and a rare find in Japan because while there are more and more vegan ramen restaurants, it doesn’t seem to be the case for udon.
- The rich broth is made from kelp and is what the restaurant is proud of.
- Order an atsuage tofu on the side. It is very delicious.
- After you tell them your dietary requirements, the staff will let you know if the dish you want to order contains eggs, dairy, or meat.
- Besides udon, vegetable tempura, and vegan pan-fried dumplings are also available.
- Okonomiyaki Chitose (お好み焼き ちとせ)
- An okonomiyaki pancake restaurant near Tennoji Zoo that has a few vegetarian/vegan okonomiyaki.
- It is a well-known restaurant, so expect a queue if you don’t plan to arrive early.
- Their vegan and vegetarian okonomiyaki has soy meat as an ingredient. The pancake is very tasty.
- The staff is extremely friendly, especially the owner. He can easily strike up a pleasant conversation with his customers.
- Kamukura Ramen (神座ラーメン)
- A ramen specialist that has many restaurants in Japan.
- You can order vegetable ramen (野菜いっぱいラーメン) and let the staff know your dietary requirements. The chef should be able to replace the broth with vegan broth. They can even make your noodle soup allium-free (oriental vegetarian).
- The vegan broth is soy sauce based. While the taste is light, it is flavorful.
Other Cuisines
- Sukhasana Pozzuoli
- A vegan Italian restaurant between Shinsaibashi and Osaka Castle.
- As the owner-chef is by himself, allow him time to prepare your food.
- The service is exceptional, and the food is incredible, especially the cheezy vegan cheese!
- But if you don’t like your pizza covered in cheese, let the staff know so they can reduce the amount.
- The setting is cozy and homey.
- They can remove allium ingredients.
- new order (新秩序 | NEW○RDER)
- A vegan and gluten-free curry soup restaurant near shelter cat ＆ VEGAN café “neu” (保護猫とVeganカフェneu). If you visit the cafe on the days that no food is served, you can stop by new order afterwards.
- The old-retro style interior and the old furniture make an amazing space to have soup curry.
- You can choose the broth, the topping, and the spice level.
- The tomato-based curry is incredible.
- The curry soup is made with many pesticide-free organic vegetables. The overall taste is quite heavy but in a good way!
- The owner is friendly and kind. An English menu is available.
- It is a small restaurant. Please make a booking by messaging their Instagram Account if you have more than two people in your group. The maximum number of capacity per group is five people.
- Shake Shack (シェイクシャック)
- An American fast-food restaurant chain with restaurants in Osaka, including Umeda, Shinsaibashi, and The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan.
- The Shroom Burger is a burger that vegetarians can order.
- Note it isn’t suitable for oriental vegetarians.
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
- Takahashi Shokuhin (高橋食品)
- A soy-based product specialist in Kuromon Market near Namba/Shinsaibashi. Whether it is Kyoto’s yuba (tofu skin), soy milk, tofu pudding or tofu ice cream, you can find it at Takahashi Shokuhin.
- Their soy milk is smooth but very thick. Diluting it might make it easier to drink.
- The shop opens very early, so you can come here for takeaway breakfast.
- Shizenkan (自然館)
- A small organic store near Osaka Subway’s Hommachi Station (本町駅) that sell some vegan products, such as vegan cup noodles, dashi stock, noodle broths, and baked goods.
- Fresh organic fruits and vegetables are also on the shelf.
- Vegan bento boxes may be available on the day of your visit.
- The days when vegan bento boxes are available are marked with an icon on the Shizenkan’s Vegan Bento Calendar on their Instagram account.
- 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.
- Gyomu Super (業務スーパー)
- A wholesale supermarket/grocery store chain that has many branches in Japan. There are many imported goods and vegan bread.
- Life (ライフ)
- Another supermarket chain in Japan that you can find a couple of vegan products, including vegan bread.
Vegetarian/Vegan-Friendly Hotels in Osaka
If you are after a vegetarian/vegan-friendly accommodation in Osaka, check out the below hotels/ryokans!
- Hotel Morning Box Osaka Shinsaibashi (ホテル モーニングボックス)
- The hotel is very close to Shinsaibashi Station.
- The cafe Morning Box in the hotel has vegan and gluten-free options.
- You don’t need to be a hotel guest to enjoy breakfast there.
- 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!
