Finding vegan-friendly food in Japan can be quite challenging. One of the biggest reasons is that many Japanese dishes use dashi (broth) as a key ingredient. Dashi is the foundation of Japanese cuisine, adding depth and umami to many dishes. However, it is often made from fish, making it unsuitable for vegans.
Even if a dish does not contain meat or fish, dashi is frequently used in the cooking process or included in sauces and seasonings. As a result, finding truly vegan-friendly restaurants in Japan is not always easy.
Fortunately, some chain restaurants in Japan offer vegan-friendly options. Since these chains have locations across the country, they are relatively easy to find and can be a reliable choice when you’re struggling to find vegan food.
In this article, we introduce five chain restaurants in Japan that offer vegan-friendly meals.
Important Note: While these restaurants currently offer vegan options, ingredients and recipes may change over time. We recommend confirming with restaurant staff before ordering.
1. MOS Burger
MOS Burger (モスバーガー) is a popular Japanese fast-food chain with over 1,000 locations nationwide. Known for its commitment to health-conscious menu items, MOS Burger offers a Green Burger, which is completely plant-based.
This burger does not contain any animal-derived ingredients or the five pungent vegetables (onion, garlic, leek, chives, and shallots). Its patty is made primarily from soybeans, making it a great option for vegans.
Since MOS Burger has locations in cities and smaller towns alike, it is one of the easiest vegan-friendly fast-food options to find in Japan. If you’re unsure where to eat, MOS Burger is a safe and delicious choice!
Green Burger Teriyaki / グリーンバーガー＜テリヤキ＞
Website: MOS Burger
Price: 580 Yen (April, 2025)
Kcal: 351 kcal
2. Royal Host
Royal Host (ロイヤルホスト) is a popular family restaurant chain known for its Western-style cuisine. It has a more upscale atmosphere compared to other Japanese family restaurants, making it a quiet and comfortable place to enjoy a meal.
The Vegetable Curry & Multigrain Rice is a vegan-friendly option at Royal Host. It features a rich vegetable-based curry with plant-based meat, making it both nutritious and delicious.
Royal Host has about 200 locations across Japan, covering 30 of the country’s 47 prefectures. While it is not available everywhere, you can find it in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, making it a convenient choice for travelers.
Vegetable Curry & Multigrain Rice / ベジタブルカレー＆雑穀ごはん
Website: Royal Host
Price: 1380 Yen (April, 2025)
Kcal: 599 kcal
3. Curry House CoCo Ichibanya
Curry House CoCo Ichibanya (カレーハウスcoco壱番屋) is a well-known Japanese curry chain with locations in Japan, the U.S., the U.K., and several Asian countries. Many people associate Japanese curry with CoCo Ichibanya due to its widespread popularity.
For vegans, CoCo Ichibanya offers the CoCo Ichi Veggie Curry, which is completely free of animal products. However, it does not come with toppings by default. If you want to customize your meal, be sure to choose vegan-friendly toppings.
With over 1,000 locations in Japan, including in small towns and major cities, CoCo Ichibanya is an accessible and reliable option for vegan travelers.
CoCo Ichi Veggie Curry / ココイチベジカレー
Website: Curry House CoCo Ichibanya
Price: 683 Yen (April, 2025)
Kcal: 688 kcal
4. Doutor Coffee
Doutor Coffee (ドトールコーヒー)is a Japanese coffee chain known for its affordable and convenient locations, often found near train stations. While primarily a coffee shop, Doutor also offers a selection of light meals.
One of their vegan-friendly options is the Soy Meat & Tomato Stew Sandwich. This sandwich features soy-based meat and a tomato-based stew with beans and vegetables. Unlike many sandwiches that contain eggs or dairy in the bread, this one is completely plant-based, making it a great vegan-friendly choice.
Doutor has over 1,000 locations throughout Japan, particularly in major cities. Due to its high availability and convenient locations, it’s an easy go-to spot when you need a quick vegan-friendly bite.
Soy Meat & Tomato Stew Sandwic / 全粒粉サンド 大豆のミート -豆と野菜のトマト煮込み
Website: Doutor Coffee
Price: 450 Yen (April, 2025)
Kcal: 315 kcal
5. Soup Stock Tokyo
Soup Stock Tokyo (スープストックトーキョー) is a health-conscious soup chain that has been growing in popularity. Although it is a relatively new chain compared to others on this list, it has expanded rapidly due to Japan’s increasing interest in healthy eating.
Soup Stock Tokyo offers several Vegetarian Soups, which do not contain any animal-derived ingredients (including meat, fish, eggs, and dairy). Some soups may contain white sugar or honey, so if you follow a strict vegan diet, it’s best to check with staff about the specific ingredients.
Currently, Soup Stock Tokyo has around 60 locations, mainly in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Hiroshima, and Yokohama. Since many of its locations are inside train stations, it’s a convenient choice for travelers looking for a quick vegan meal.
Vegetarian Soups / ベジタリアン対応メニュー
Website: Soup Stock Tokyo
Price: – Yen
Kcal: – kcal
Final Thoughts
Finding vegan food in Japan can be challenging, but these five chain restaurants offer reliable options that are easy to find across the country. Whether you’re in a major city or a smaller town, these restaurants can help ensure you have access to delicious vegan-friendly meals.
Before ordering, always check with restaurant staff to confirm ingredients, as recipes may change over time. With this guide, you can confidently explore Japan while enjoying vegan meals along the way!