The Tofugu Podcast: Japan and Japanese Language
Traveling as a Vegetarian in Japan
Feb 2, 2017
Kristen, a traveler who faced challenges as a vegetarian in Japan, shares her experiences and tips for finding vegetarian food in Japan. She discusses the difficulties with dashi and the misconception that fish is vegetarian. She recommends carrying a list of food restrictions and mentions a website and app that can help find vegetarian or vegan restaurants. Among the best options are Koya-san, Kyoto, Tokyo, Shibuya, Hiroshima, and Miyajima. Kanji for vegetarian travelers and tips for avoiding non-vegetarian foods are also discussed. Additionally, the challenges faced by vegetarians with food allergies are addressed.
28:58
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Quick takeaways
- Traveling as a vegetarian in Japan can be challenging due to limited options, but being proactive and researching can help in finding suitable food.
- There are some notable vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Japan, such as Full Offal Garden in Kyoto and Teas Tantan in Tokyo Station.
Deep dives
Challenges of Being a Vegetarian in Japan
Traveling as a vegetarian in Japan can be challenging due to limited vegetarian options and cultural differences. It is important to be prepared and have realistic expectations to avoid frustration. Being proactive and researching vegetarian-friendly restaurants or using apps like Happy Cow can help in finding suitable food options. Convenience stores can be a reliable choice, offering onigiri (rice balls), bread, and some vegetarian bentos. Clear communication is key, as some ingredients like dashi (fish stock) and fish flakes may be used in dishes marked as vegetarian. Learning basic kanji for meat, poultry, fat, dashi, and egg can be helpful for reading labels and menus.
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