🥢 How to Eat Vegan Safely in Kyoto: Complete Guide for Travelers

(Vegan・Vegetarian・Plant-Based Travelers 向け完全ガイド)

Traveling in Kyoto as a vegan can be an incredible experience—beautiful temples, peaceful scenery, and rich traditional culture.
But when it comes to food, many travelers feel anxious:

・"Does this dish contain fish stock?"

・"Is Japanese vegetable ramen ever fully vegan?"

・"How do I order safely in restaurants?"

The truth is: Japan uses fish-based dashi in most dishes, even when the food looks plant-based.
But don't worry—Kyoto is actually one of the easiest cities in Japan for vegans, and with the right knowledge, you can enjoy your trip without stress.

This guide explains how to eat vegan safely in Kyoto, where to go, what to avoid, and useful phrases to help you along the way.

🌱 1. Understand the Biggest Challenge: Fish Stock (Dashi)

The number-one difficulty for vegan travelers in Japan is dashi, a soup stock made from dried fish.
It appears in

・miso soup

・ramen broth

・dipping sauces

・simmered vegetables

・pickles

・even rice seasoning

Even dishes that look vegan often contain it.

Safe rule:
👉 If you don't confirm, assume it contains dashi.

This is why choosing vegan-friendly restaurants or classes is important.

🍜 2. Kyoto Is the Best City in Japan for Vegans

Among all Japanese cities, Kyoto is the most vegan-friendly because:

・It has a long Buddhist vegetarian history (精進料理 / shojin ryori)

・Many cafés and restaurants offer plant-based options

・Staff in tourist areas are used to dietary requests

・Local ingredients (tofu, vegetables, mushrooms) are naturally vegan-friendly

Kyoto is simply ideal for plant-based travelers.

🥦 3. Vegan-Safe Food You Can Find in Kyoto

Here are Kyoto dishes that can be made vegan or found at vegan locations:

・Vegan ramen (using kombu & shiitake broth)

・Vegan gyoza

・Vegetable tempura

・Shojin-ryori (Zen Buddhist vegetarian meals)

・Tofu dishes (yudofu, agedashi tofu—ask about dashi)

・Onigiri (check fillings carefully)

・Miso soup (only if dashi-free)

For 100%安心、安全：
👉 Choose restaurants that are fully vegan or clearly labeled dashi-free.

🔎 4. How to Read Menus & Ask Questions (Useful Phrases)

✔ Useful English → Japanese phrases

"Is this dish vegan?"
これはヴィーガンですか？
Kore wa vegan desu ka?

"Does this contain fish stock?"
だし（魚）は入っていますか？
Dashi (sakana) wa haitteimasu ka?

"No fish, no meat, no eggs, please."
魚、肉、卵は入れないでください。
Sakana, niku, tamago wa irenaide kudasai.

Screenshots of these phrases on your phone will save you many surprises.

🥣 5. Where to Eat Vegan in Kyoto (Traveler-Friendly Areas)

🟩 Arashiyama

・musubi-cafe

・Tenryuji Temple Shigetsu

🟩 Gion / Higashiyama

・ZIRAEL Vegan Restaurant

・TU CASA - plant based & zero waste -

🟩 Kyoto Station Area

・Veg Out

・MERCY Vegan Factory KYOTO STATION

🟩 Kawaramachi / Downtown

・VEGAN IZAKAYA 虹屋 nijiya VEGAN FARM

・AIN SOPH. Journey KYOTO

・mumokuteki cafe KYOTO | vegan restaurant

🍜 6. Safest Option: Join a Vegan Cooking Class

For many travelers, the safest and most enjoyable option is to experience vegan cooking in a dashi-free environmentwith a host who explains everything clearly.

In our class located in Arashiyama, we teach:

・100% plant-based ramen (no fish stock)

・Vegan gyoza

・How to select safe Japanese ingredients

・How to recreate dishes at home

This is the easiest way to enjoy Japanese cuisine without worrying about hidden dashi.

⚠️ 7. Foods Vegans Should Be Careful With in Japan

Avoid or confirm carefully:

・Miso soup（ほぼ100% dashi入り）

・Pickles（魚の調味料入りの場合あり）

・Ramen（魚ベースが基本）

・Tempura sauce（天つゆは100%魚）

・Udon / soba broth

・Japanese curry（牛脂や豚エキス入り可能性あり）

When uncertain → ask or avoid。

🌟 8. Vegan Survival Tips for Kyoto

・Search "vegan" + area name (Kyoto, Arashiyama, Gion)

・Download HappyCow & Google Maps lists

・Avoid restaurants without clear labeling

・Learn simple Japanese phrases (above)

・Choose experiences with ingredient explanations

With these methods, Kyoto becomes extremely easy to navigate as a vegan.

🎉 Conclusion: Kyoto Is Safe for Vegans—When You Know How

Kyoto may seem challenging at first, but with the right knowledge,
you can enjoy Japan's flavors safely, deliciously, and stress-free.

If you want a guaranteed vegan-safe experience with clear explanations and real Japanese cooking techniques…

👉 Join our Vegan Ramen & Gyoza Cooking Class in Arashiyama, Kyoto
A warm, authentic experience in a traditional Japanese home.

Enjoyed reading? Join our Vegan Ramen & Gyoza Class in Kyoto!

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