No animal products at all — and in Japan that means watching the broth.
What vegan means in Japan
Vegan (完全菜食 / kanzen saishoku) means no animal products of any kind. That part is universal. What surprises first-time visitors is how often animal products hide in food that looks plant-based.
The biggest culprit is dashi — a stock made from katsuobushi (dried bonito / fish flakes) and sometimes niboshi (dried sardines). Dashi is the backbone of Japanese cooking: it's in miso soup, simmered vegetables, tofu dishes, tamagoyaki, many sauces, and even the dipping sauce for soba. A bowl of "just vegetables" can easily be cooked in fish stock.
How to eat well anyway
The good news: Japan has a deep vegan tradition through 精進料理 (shojin ryori), the Buddhist temple cuisine that uses kombu (kelp) and shiitake for dashi instead of fish. Tokyo also has a fast-growing scene of dedicated vegan ramen, cafes and izakaya, many with English menus and a clear vegan mark.
Use the filter on this site to find venues we've confirmed accommodate vegans, then double-check your specific dishes with the phrases below.
What to watch for in Japan
- Dashi (fish stock) — in miso soup, simmered dishes, soba/udon broth, many sauces
- Katsuobushi (bonito flakes) sprinkled on top of vegetables and tofu
- Egg in tempura batter, mayonnaise, and ramen toppings
- Honey and gelatin in desserts; lard or chicken stock in ramen broth
FAQ
- Is Japanese food Vegan-friendly?
- No meat, fish, dairy, eggs or honey. In Japan the hidden trap is dashi — fish stock that flavours soups, simmered dishes and even many vegetable sides.
- What hidden ingredients should Vegan travelers watch for in Japan?
- Dashi (fish stock) — in miso soup, simmered dishes, soba/udon broth, many sauces / Katsuobushi (bonito flakes) sprinkled on top of vegetables and tofu / Egg in tempura batter, mayonnaise, and ramen toppings / Honey and gelatin in desserts; lard or chicken stock in ramen broth
- How do I say I'm Vegan in Japanese?
- 「私はヴィーガンです。肉・魚・卵・乳製品は食べられません。」(Watashi wa vīgan desu. Niku, sakana, tamago, nyūseihin wa taberaremasen.)
Vegan Japan — impact, where to buy & events
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Vegan
私はヴィーガンです。肉・魚・卵・乳製品は食べられません。
Watashi wa vīgan desu. Niku, sakana, tamago, nyūseihin wa taberaremasen.
I'm vegan. I can't eat meat, fish, eggs or dairy.
- 出汁に魚やかつおは使っていますか？Is there fish or bonito in the dashi (stock)?
- 野菜だけで作れますか？Could you make it with vegetables only?
