Japan is surely one of those countries that is on every Indian traveller’s list. The country is known across the globe for its amazing technology, rich culture, serene temples, beautiful cherry blossoms, and world-class cuisine. But if you are a vegetarian, we are sure that one question surely crosses your mind every time you think of booking a trip to Japan, and that is Is Japan Vegetarian Friendly? Well, let’s find out in this honest guide for Indian travellers.
Is Japan Vegetarian Friendly? Japan Vegetarian Survival Guide
Vegetarian Food In Japan
Among all the other things that Japan is known for, food remains everyone’s main reason to visit the country. The food served in Japan is a fun mix of traditional, foreign-influenced, and seasonal culinary practices. While sushi and ramen remain famous dishes here, there are many other dishes that are worth trying, like Yakitori, Tempura, and Japanese Curry.
Japanese cuisine is very much based on non-vegetarian ingredients, and many tourists have complained about the difficulty in finding vegetarian dishes. But now, ever since the vegan revolution has hit the world, things have changed. The country is slowly becoming vegetarian-friendly. Yes, you read that right. Plant-based options are growing in the country, with cities like Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka having dedicated vegetarian restaurants.
Why Being Vegetarian In Japan Is Challenging?
Hidden Non-Veg Ingredients: There are many dishes that might look vegetarian but might contain some non-vegetarian ingredients. For example, some non-vegetarian ingredients used in Japanese cuisine are fish stock, oyster stock, bonito flakes, and more.
The Concept Of Vegetarianism: While the concept of being a vegetarian is better understood in India, the concept is seen in a slightly different light in Japan. They generally tend to confuse vegetarianism with only meat being refrained from, while fish is allowed. Japan understands the concept of veganism better than vegetarianism.
Language Barrier: In many places, the menu is in Japanese only, and this makes it hard to understand the ingredients. It becomes difficult for Indian travelers to explain the preparation and customise it.
Vegetarian Options In Japan: A Wave Of Change
Rise of Vegan Culture: There is a steady rise in the vegan culture in Japan because of tourism, health trends, and climate goals. It is slowly transitioning into a mainstream option rather than a niche lifestyle.
Convenience Stores: The convenience stores of Japan, too, have started selling vegetarian and vegan foodstuffs. This includes fruits, pastries, breads, and onigiri, which are basically rice balls. 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart are some examples.
How To Eat Vegetarian In Japan
You can find vegetarian food in Japan, but you will need to put in some extra effort. What extra efforts, let’s see:
Vegetarian Restaurants
Though just a handful, there are vegetarian restaurants in Japan that will serve you complete vegetarian dishes. That way, you will not have to worry about having meat, fish, or any non-vegetarian ingredients in the dish. So, better to do your research in advance about the places where you can find vegetarian restaurants in Japan. You can download applications like HappyCow, which can help you find such places easily.
Learn Basic Japanese Phrases
In order to eliminate the language barrier to some extent, it is better to learn the basic phrases to explain your needs. This will help the servers understand what you can eat and what you cannot. It can also help in making them understand if you have any food-related allergies.
Watashi wa bejitarian desu (I am a vegetarian).
Niku, sakana wa tabemasen (I don’t eat meat or fish).
Dashi wa tabemasen (I don’t eat fish stock).
Know The Ingredients
Before flying down to Japan, try to do a bit of research on the ingredients used in cooking. This is because, apart from meat and fish, there are some hidden non-vegetarian ingredients that are used. So there might be many dishes that might look vegetarian but might not actually be. It is better to ask and confirm.
Summing Up
Finding vegetarian food in Japan can be a bit difficult, but it is not at all impossible. You only need to take a bit of effort, and now that the country is progressing towards veganism, finding vegetarian food will surely get easier.
