The Best Budget Vegan Food in Tokyo: 5 Cheap Eats That Will Fuel Your Adventures (Plus One to Skip!)
The city of bright lights, incredible culture, and some of the best food on the planet.
But as vegan travelers, we know the quest for delicious, affordable, and reliably plant-based food can be a challenge. Forget spending ¥5,000 per person on dinner - our recent trip proved you can discover exciting, high-quality budget vegan food in Tokyo that won’t break the bank!
Here at Eat plants and travel (www.eatplantsandtravel.com), we’re constantly looking for the hidden gems that offer the best value, allowing you to maximize your travel budget and seek out cool, new, ethical brands.
Based on our recent adventures, here are our top five must-visit locations for cheap vegan eats in Tokyo, followed by one popular spot you might want to avoid if you’re strictly focused on saving yen.
Our Top 5 Recommended Budget Vegan Restaurants in Tokyo
These destinations offer high-quality vegan meals typically priced between ¥500 and ¥1,500 per dish, making them true budget champions.
1. Jikasei MENSHO (Shibuya Parco)
Location Focus: Shibuya
Budget Tier: Excellent (Approx. ¥1,000 - ¥1,999 per person)
If you're looking for an iconic Japanese experience with an authentic vegan twist, look no further than Jikasei MENSHO. Located inside the trendy Shibuya Parco building, this shop is a pioneer in the modern ramen scene, focusing on homemade noodles and innovative broths.
Why it’s a budget win: This is high-end ramen quality at a standard ramen price. It's fully cashless, which means fast service and modern convenience, ensuring you get your cheap vegan ramen quickly!
Menu favourites:
Vegan Dan Dan Noodles
Their signature vegan dish uses carefully selected plant-based ingredients to create a rich, savory, and spicy soup-less ramen experience. It’s perfect for fueling up after a long day of sightseeing
Homemade Noodles
They are famous for their fragrant, high-quality wheat noodles, which are made in-house - a rarity in ramen chains.
2. Masaka (Vegan Izakaya)
Location Focus: Shibuya Parco (B1F)
Budget Tier: Fantastic (Most dishes ¥450 - ¥650)
Masaka holds the title of being one of Tokyo’s first all-vegan izakayas (Japanese pubs). This is your go-to spot for affordable, shared plates - perfect for a group looking for a social dining experience without the price tag. The emphasis here is on veganized Japanese comfort food, proving that plant-based dining can be fun and inexpensive. Masaka is the perfect place to discover exciting vegan food brands that specialize in meat alternatives!
Menu favourites:
Vegan Karaage
Often cited as the best vegan fried chicken in Tokyo! Crispy, juicy, and perfect for snacking. At around ¥650, it’s a steal
Vegan Gyoza
Classic grilled dumplings with a savory, soy-meat filling, priced around ¥500.Vegan Bentos. Available for around ¥800 to ¥1,000, these make for an incredibly affordable, filling, and exciting lunch option on the go.
3. Ippudo Lumine Est Shinjuku
Location Focus: Shinjuku
Budget Tier: Great (Standard ramen prices)
Ippudo is a globally famous ramen chain, but the Lumine Est Shinjuku location stands out because it offers a full, dedicated plant-based menu that many other branches do not. This means no fussing or guessing!
Why it’s a budget win: You get the reliability and quick service of a major Japanese chain, along with truly delicious, filling ramen- a classic budget traveler meal.
Menu favourites:
Plant-based Akamaru
A vegan take on Ippudo’s rich, modern ramen, featuring a special blended miso paste and fragrant garlic oil, all plant-based.
Plant-based Shiramaru
The vegan version of their classic, creamy tonkotsu-style broth, achieved with a special soy-based soup stock and topped with plant-based chashu (tofu cutlets).
Animal-product-free Gyoza
A delicious side dish that ensures a complete, satisfying, and totally vegan meal
4. Vegan Sushi Tokyo
Location Focus: Shibuya
Budget Tier: Mid-Range Value (Priced well for specialty vegan sushi)
While perhaps slightly above the cheapest ramen spots, Vegan Sushi Tokyo offers unparalleled value for a high-quality, specialty Japanese meal. This fully vegan establishment transforms vegetables and unique ingredients into stunningly realistic and delicious sushi.
Why it’s a value win: Authentic, high-concept vegan sushi in Tokyo is usually a huge splurge. This shop makes that experience accessible, making it a great place to showcase new ways to enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine on a moderate budget.
Pro-Tip: Make a reservation!
Menu favourites:
Specialty Nigiri
Experience pumpkin paste, simulated ikura (vegan caviar), kabayaki tofu, and sushi made with eringi (king oyster) mushrooms.
Tempura Rolls
Lightly battered and fried vegetables like pumpkin and eggplant, creating texture and flavor you won't find anywhere else.
5. Tofu Cuisine Sorano Shibuya
Location Focus: Shibuya
Budget Tier: Value-Oriented Dishes (Focus on individual plates for budget)
This restaurant specializes in yuba (fresh soy milk skin) and handmade tofu, prepared right at your table. While the average check can be high for large course menus, focusing on individual, a la carte tofu dishes makes it a stunning value experience.
Why it’s a value win: Not exactly budget-friendly we know, but a unique experience - especially if you’re a tofu fanatic. You get to enjoy the serene, traditional ambiance and high-quality ingredients of a Japanese specialty restaurant while keeping your individual plates affordable, perfect for tasting high-end flavours.
Menu favourites:
Freshly Harvested Yuba Sashimi
Delicate, savory, and a true taste of traditional Japanese cuisine.
Bukkake Tofu Rice
Simple, hearty, and satisfying—a budget-friendly staple at around ¥825.
Avocado Tofu
A unique, refreshing appetizer for around ¥520.
And One to Avoid…
Izakaya Genki Kanda (Yasai Izakaya Genki)
Location Focus: Kanda
Reason to Avoid (Budget Focus): Expensive & Unpredictable Pricing
We felt we needed to mention this as it was recommended repeatedly on vegan blogs, on Happy Cow and seems to be marketed to vegans.
Our experience was underwhelming - in fact, it’s quite possibly the blandest food we experienced in all of Japan.
While this spot is genuinely popular among vegans for its accommodating, eccentric owner and vegan okonomiyaki, it is definitely not a budget destination. The decor is unique - adorned with 1000s of dusty collectables, and the entrance is one of the kind, the seating is cramped and atmosphere busy. As a museum, or exhibition it’d be great - but this is restaurant, an expensive one, and the food isn’t very good.
It’s just not worth the hype, the inflated cost, or the wait. There are much better places to visit instead.
The Price Tag: The average dinner price frequently lands between ¥4,000 and ¥5,000 per person.
Ready to Eat Plants and Travel?
Finding deals and discounts on incredible food like vegan ramen, sushi, and izakaya favorites is easier than ever in Tokyo. Every yen you save on meals is money you can put toward your next adventure or discovering new and exciting vegan brands back home!
For more budget vegan travel guides and to follow our latest plant-powered discoveries around the world, make sure to bookmark Eat plants and travel! We’re dedicated to showing you how to explore the world without sacrificing your values or your wallet
