Serves meat, vegan options available. Yamanashi prefecture is known for hoto noodles, which is wheat-based and comes in a miso based soup with various vegetables such as mushrooms and pumpkin. This one is a large restaurant that can seat up to 110. Last order 30 minutes before closing. Location is directly across the busy Kawaguchiko train station in the Fuji Five Lakes area. NOTE: Noodles are reported to be cooked in a meat broth so ask for a vegan version when ordering. NOTE: Reported April 2024 to have limited vegan options – please send updates to HappyCow. Open Mon 9:00am-4:00pm, Tue-Sun 11:00am-7:00pm.
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3631-2 Funatsu Minamitsuru-Gun, Fujikawaguchiko, Japan, 401-0301
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Cash only
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Last update on 11 Apr 2024 by Ravishanks
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Added by carol.abb on 23 Oct 2019
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44 Reviews
First Review by carol.abb
VioletLouise
Points +40
NOT VEGAN - Edit
This place has ZERO vegan options. The chef confirmed all broth contains meat. This spot should be completely removed from this app. The only way we could ask if it was vegan was in japenese, and it was definitely NOT vegan. Oct 2024
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-10-16
Cons: Not vegan, Not vegetarian, No veg options
RoxaneRiahiDehkordi
Thanks so much for your comment!
Read moreGuest
fredzio
Points +11
enormous portion - Edit
definitely take one portion to share unless you have summit mt fuji right before
Read moreGuest
PratZel
Points +97
Not the best vegan hotou in town - Edit
Decent taste, might be too bland. Many vegetables in the broth, but I would've liked more veggies as compared to noodles.
Read moreAlso, they couldn't remove onions.
If you're not in a time crunch, and are looking to enjoy the vegan version of this local speciality, I'd suggest going to momijitei-hotou - where the broth is much more flavorful.
Updated from previous review on 2024-08-10
Pros: Big portion , Good location
Cons: Lacks flavor, Vegan version takes 20 mins wait time
Guest
pumagirl
Points +13
Right at Kawagushikostation - Edit
Despite the shockingly long line of people, we only had to wait 20 minutes for a seat. Ordering in English was uncomplicated and it was no problem getting the broth for the typical dish (noodle soup) in vegan. Unfortunatel this dish is also the only vegan option and it might not be the first choice on a very hot day. I would also recommend sharing a portion as it is a really large amount of noodles and veggies. Otherwise it tastes good, too little seasoning for my opinion, but great noodles! The Waiter was very friendly, but you should keep in mind that you will be assigned a seat and will therefore sit either on the floor or at the table, which may not be what everyone wants.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-08-07
Pros: Uncomplicadet Ordering, Nice optical atmosphere, Large Portion
Cons: Just one vegan Option, A bit too loud, No free choice of seating
Guest
frobekobe
Points +28
Really good vegan option and big! - Edit
Staff are happy to change the soup to vegan and can communicate it across in English well. The thick noodles and hot soup in a giant bowl are delicious
Read moreGuest
jazzsoda
Points +22
My Favorite Vegan Meal in Japan - Edit
I don't normally leave reviews but this place is criminally underrated on Happy Cow. I've eaten here 3 times (Feb 2023, and twice in June 2024) and they've always made me a vegan broth for the noodles with zero problems. I'm extremely allergic to fish so the whole restaurant would have quickly known if they had put dashi in it 😅. The staff is exceedingly nice so I'm surprised to hear anyone has had issues. I've also never waited more than 20 minutes for food (and that time they apologized profusely for the wait).
Read moreI've spent two months traveling all over Japan and the Hoto noodles dish here is my favorite meal I've had in the country, the noodles taste like dumplings and remind me of home cooking from my childhood. This trip I made the 2 hour trip from Tokyo to the Fuji lakes area just to eat here again, so personally I think any vegans who miss it are crazy 😁.
Pros: Delicious noodles unique to the region, Friendly staff all greet you when you arrive, Staff understands what vegan means
Cons: Must pay in cash
Guest
Ronjadesu
Points +20
Tasty food but you have to wait for a while - Edit
Their signature houtou dish is not vegan by default, however they will make it vegan when requested. The food was tasty, however the vegan version took 30-40 minutes longer to prepare compared to the regular version. The restaurant is nice and cozy.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-05-04
Pros: Tasty, Thick noodles
Cons: Not many vegan options, Loud environment, Quite busy and hectic
Guest
Ravishanks
Points +20
Not vegan Don’t list - Edit
I called the restaurant and they confirmed that they use Benito in preparation so it should not listed in Happy cow
Read moreRonjadesu
This is not correct. They have at least one vegan option, which is their signature dish HOWEVER, it is not vegan by default, you have to ask them to change the broth.
Read moreRavishanks
Hi I spoke to them about changing the broth and they refused. I hadlocal Japanese with me and he spoke
Read moreGuest
GayaBenSira
Points +52
Very good! - Edit
The signature dish is a vegan one, although I did make sure to ask before ordering since it’s not stated so in the menu.
Read moreThe dish is huge! The noodles and broth are both hick and rich, a lot of vegetables and great aroma.
Highly recommended!
Pros: The size of the dish, The many vegetables inside, The thick thick noodles
Guest
Lhyara
Points +179
Disappointing visit - Edit
Careful - Their standard Hoto is NOT vegan, but contains fish. The only vegan option would have been plain soba noodles without the sauce.. So we ended up not eating there.
Read moreIt wasn't very busy, but they were not able to change the soup to a vegan version as previously stated in comments. Not sure if that has changed, or maybe we were unlucky?
Luckily, staff has an understanding of what's inside their dishes for advice.
Also, opening hours are not correct, they apparently close between 5 and 6 pm.
Guest
RenataBrooke
Points +25
Yummy but a wait - Edit
The pickles and the hoto are yummy and vegan. Remember to bring cash!
Read moreCons: The wait
Guest
Willemk998
Points +36
So good!! - Edit
Absolutely loved their local version of Ramen. They made me a vegan alternative super quickly. Massive portion and gorgeous broth. Couldn’t be happier!
Read morekrissysch
At which time of the day have you visit? I plan in going there but am a bit concernded since sone Reviews say they didn't had time for the vegan dish
Read moreWillemk998
Hiya. It was 6pm 😊
Read morekrissysch
Thank you
Read moreGuest
d.vegan
Points +831
Filling and warming - Edit
they can make the soup based on konbu rather than fish dashi to make it suitable for vegans. a must try hotou noodle as it's a specialism in this area
Read moreGuest
noopursinghal24
Points +17
Only eat their 1 veg dish (udon) if you have no other option - Edit
They have only one miso udon vegetarian in Mains. And one starter.
Read moreNot worth the long wait. Taste really average with absolutely no flavours.
We have had veg miso udon and ramens before and This is below par. They also don’t give any soy sauce or vinegar to make it little according to your taste.
If you still chose to go, avoid peak lunch and dinner hours otherwise be ready to wait for atleast 1 hr in queue
Guest
dreamyavocadooo
Points +38
Definitely recommend! - Edit
The vegan hot pot was to die for, and I recon some other things you could maybe have vegan like the soba if you just wanted it plain with no fish sauce. Super lovely place and lovely staff
Read morePros: Hot pot, Location, Inside was lovely
Guest
Rosave21
Points +27
Best noodle soup! - Edit
We can highly recommend the noodle soup served in this vivid restaurant! It comes in a big hot pot and tastes delicious. You have to tell the waiter that you want the meal vegetarian, otherwise the soup will be with beef sauce.
Read morePros: Very tasty food , Friendly staff
Guest
arashi22
Points +241
Very filling - Edit
I stopped here for lunch after 2.30 pm, there was a little line to get in (I imagine it gets VERY busy), but the line moved fast.
Read moreVery nice traditional atmosfere, I sat on the tatami table.
I made sure to order the kombu dashi, as others have advised.
The broth itself was very tasty, the only reason I gave 3 stars is that I would have enjoyed more vegetables and tofu (I only had 1 piece of tofu, 2 pieces of sweet potato and 3 mushrooms). The noodles were nicely firm and thick, but had too much of a wheat flavour.
Staff was very nice and welcoming.
All in all it is worth visiting while in the area.
* I did not order in advance, food didn't take longer to arrive than other tables that ordered at the same time. 15-20 min wait
Updated from previous review on 2023-09-02
Pros: Accomodate for vegan broth, Continuous opening hours, Big portions
Guest
adam080
Points +1183
Great food, order in advance - Edit
It takes around 20 minutes to prepare the vegan version. Great food
Read morePros: Tasty , Vegan option
Guest
94-oj
Points +94
Great food - but make a request! - Edit
Standard broth is made with fish and pork, but if you request a Vegan version (and the place is not too busy) they will happily make separate for you!
Read moreGuest
jb055
Points +139
Delicious and multiple locations - Edit
The houtou here is delicious. Everything about the dish is vegan except the broth which is made with dashi but as others have said if you ask for a vegan version they will make it with a kombu dashi.
Read moreIt takes a little longer to prepare than the regular dish and they don’t bring the food out together so if you eat with anybody ordering the regular houtou know that their food will come out first. However I didn’t wait too long for the vegan version to come out.
They also have inari sushi which I believe is vegan as well but their other side dishes aren’t vegan.
There are multiple locations in the area.
Pros: Delicious, They understand what “vegan” is
Cons: A slightly long wait
Guest
VeganFox92
Points +556
Amazing, filling, friendly lunch - Edit
Highly recommend you try this place.
Read moreWe came on a Monday at approx 230pm and it was busy but we were inside within 5mins.
Make sure you mention vegan and they will offer you the Veggie soup with Tofu.
It was very filling and good value.
Staff are super friendly! I never felt so well greeted
Pros: Amazing food, Amazing staff, Good value
Guest
bettafrg
Points +2584
Nice Hoto - Edit
When you order, remember to ask the staff to make your Hoto vegan (when I visited it wasn’t explicitly written on the menu). The Hoto is huge and fulfilling!
Read moreGuest
Guacamole
Points +507
Generous serving of hoto! - Edit
We arrived around 11:30am on a Saturday and had to wait about 10 minutes to be seated. The queue was around the corner when we left, so I'd recommend arriving close to opening to avoid the big queues on weekends.
Read moreI asked for Kombu Dashi and they also knew what vegan was. The hoto noodles were very filling and delicious - the only thing that would have made them better is some more tofu/protein on top. The Kombu broth is made seperately so we had to wait about 30 minutes, which wasn't too bad.
Guest
DeRidderAnouchka
Points +20
Delicious experience - Edit
There was a 45minute wait to enter the restaurent but it was well worth it. When we came in there were authentic Japanese dining tables. We were served quite fast, not that many options on the menu but most people take their speciality anyway: a great Houtou noodle soup, which can be made vegetarian. Also a great Sakura yuzu drink.
Read moreGuest
KatherineWinter
Points +1610
Vegan takes longer - Edit
I ordered the vegan Fudou Houtou. When I ordered, they told me it would take a long time since they had to specially make the vegan broth. These are the thickest noodles I have ever had. It was super nice for a chilly day. I didn’t think the noodles themselves had much flavor, but the miso broth was good, and the veggies included were nice. It would have been extra good with tofu. On the side, there is a smokey and spicy powder. I highly recommend adding that. We got to sit on a higher platform at a chabudai. If they sit you there, remove your shoes before standing on the platform. They played traditional Japanese music at low volume. The line to get in was about 30 mins. Everything was great, but I gave it top-1 stars because the noodles themselves were kind of flavorless.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-04-01
Pros: Extra thick noodles, Spicy powder is good
Cons: Vegan takes extra time, Long line to get in
Guest
yashvibh
Points +13
Too busy to do vegetarian - Edit
I waited.sat down and it was all okay I ordered and he understood what i wanted said it will take some time but he checked and they couldn’t cause they were too busy. 7/11 it is!
Read moreGuest
itsrinokt_
Points +4656
Authentic famous udon - Edit
Had to Q for at least 30min to get in when I visited there for Saturday lunch. Worth the wait!
Read moreThe udon with kombu soup stock and full of veggies was simply delicious.
Updated from previous review on 2023-03-05
Pros: One vegan udon available , Located right in front of Kawaguchiko station
Cons: No free parking lots available
Guest
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