Welcome to the Whole Food Vegan Podcast, where we share our exciting vegan food experiences, no hidden agendas or junk food here. In this special edition, we’re diving into the unique world of Japanese cuisine as we prepare for our trip to Japan. Join us as we explore our expectations, discoveries, and challenges on this culinary journey.
Before Japan:
As two vegans traveling to Japan for the first time, we had no idea what to expect from the local cuisine. We’re stopping over in Tokyo for two nights and three days on our way to Australia. This podcast will be all about our food adventure, not the country itself. Our biggest concern was the heavy presence of fish and fish-based ingredients in Japanese dishes. We also worried about hidden non-vegan ingredients like fish sauce. However, we were optimistic about the lack of dairy in Japanese cuisine.
Preparing for the Trip:
To navigate the vegan food scene in Tokyo, we decided to rely heavily on the Happy Cow app, which provides information about vegan-friendly restaurants. We also wanted to explore local markets and street food, trying authentic Japanese dishes. Learning how to communicate our dietary preferences in Japanese was a challenge, as our language skills were limited to basic greetings like “moshi moshi” and “sayonara.”
Arrival in Japan:
After a long flight, we finally arrived in Tokyo. Despite our concerns, we were pleasantly surprised by the vegan meal provided by Singapore Airlines during our flight. The airline offered a delicious salad, a lentil and cauliflower stew, and even vegan chocolate cake. Our journey had started on a positive note.
Tokyo Food Adventures:
Staying in Tokyo for a short period, we needed to find vegan breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. We first encountered difficulties with the hotel’s breakfast menu, which had limited vegan choices. We planned to use our vegan passport to communicate our dietary preferences and hoped for a better experience the next day.
Dinner was a different story. We ventured into Tokyo’s back streets and found a tiny vegan restaurant with only two tables called Food Therapy Diner. The experience was fantastic, and the meal was flavourful and affordable. It was a pleasant surprise compared to our expectations.
Another night, we explored even further and discovered a vegan-friendly ramen restaurant. It was a bit challenging without English menus, but we managed with some help. The food was delicious, and the price was unbelievable.
Lunchtime brought us to T’s Tan Tan, a dedicated vegan restaurant located in a bustling train station. It was a convenient and tasty choice, offering various vegetables, ramen, and even vegan cheese. We enjoyed a local beer with our meal, a must-try when traveling.
Pitfall on the Flight:
Unfortunately, our journey took a downturn on our Qantas flight to Australia. The vegan meal served was terrible, with no thought or care put into it. It was a reminder that not all airlines cater well to vegan passengers, unlike our earlier positive experience with Singapore Airlines.
Top 5 Tips for Vegan Travelers in Japan:
- Use the Happy Cow app and have a vegan passport to help communicate your dietary preferences.
- Explore off the beaten path to discover hidden vegan gems.
- Carry cash as smaller establishments may not accept cards.
- Don’t expect standard menus to have vegan options; plan in advance.
- Plan your meals around dedicated vegan restaurants and communicate your dietary needs.
Conclusion:
Our journey through Japan was an eye-opening experience for two vegans exploring a new culinary landscape. Despite some challenges, we discovered delicious vegan options and met friendly locals who were accommodating. Japan has room for more vegan-friendly options, especially in the desserts department. As we head to Australia, we look forward to more vegan adventures Down Under. Stay tuned for our next podcast episode, and happy travels to all our listeners!