Vegan
Organic
Beer/Wine
Delivery
Take-out
Asian
Gluten-free
Korean
Ramen restaurant turned fully vegan in 2016. No MSG. Signature seasoning is all-purpose liquid yeast housemade from brown rice. Menu written in English, Chinese, and Korean. Electric outlets at some seats. Also known as Shimokitazawa Chabuzen. Open Tue-Sun 5:00pm-10:00pm. Closed Mon.
79 Reviews
First Review by Oine
ayaka.fructose
Points +144
You can enjoy special ramen with distinctive soup! - Edit
I had garlic-flavored ramen. This time I tried rice flour noodles, which tasted like soba noodles. It's also super tasty to add rice to the remaining soup, so I hope you'll try it! (post added on December 14, 2024)
Read moreThe vegan curry (the rice was germinated fermented brown rice!) was delicious as well as the vegan ramen. Apparently, this ramen shop was originally a restaurant that served soup curry, not ramen, so it was full of attention to detail. (post added on October 26, 2024)
I come here to eat when I have a chance to visit the Tokyo area for work. The owner of this restaurant, which opened in 2008, is a one-man operation. The owner has a strong commitment to thoroughly avoid using ingredients that contain food additives that may be harmful to health.
The ramen soup is made with vegetable stock and yeast liquid derived from brown rice, which gives it a distinctive flavor and leaves a lingering strong aftertaste. The noodles are not Chinese noodles, but thin pasta noodles like capellini, which may feel strange to some people (I think the reason he don't use Chinese noodles is to avoid kansui, a food additive). You can also change the noodles to rice noodles. The fried dumplings are also very delicious and will go well with alcohol.
It's a little far from the station, about a 10-minute walk, but the parking lots nearby aren't too expensive, so you can come by car even from far away.
Updated from previous review on 2024-10-25
Guest
flagellantti
Points +922
From a big "yay" to "nay" in seconds - Edit
The restaurant is very atmospheric with only a few seats and serene music in the background. I went shortly after opening time so the chef took a while to prepare the food. In the meantime I browsed the menu to practice my novice japanese, and noticed that the menu has a few pages dedicated to anti-vaxxer propaganda, and a few more to some alternative medicine organisation called luminary or luminous or something.
Read moreEdit: as another happy cow user pointed out, it appears there is also some anti-semitic literature in the restaurant.
Updated from previous review on 2024-09-26
Guest
MagaliePerriot
Points +19
Cute cozy local restaurant - Edit
It was cozy and the relaxing music was what I needed after a hectic day.
Read morePros: English translation , Tasty food, Relaxing
Cons: A bit small to sit
Guest
alysmsmith
Points +229
Cozy Place - Edit
Cozy VEGAN ramen restaurant in a quiet area of Tokyo. The curry ramen was good!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-09-09
Guest
littlefluffyclouds
Points +17
Tiny restaurant (aka "cosy") - 5 seats max - Edit
Vegan
Read moreTasty
Very good quality ingredients
Wonderful service
Kind owner
Pros: Intimate atmosphere, Tatami and low table seating, The other clientele are friendly
Cons: I felt a little hot when the ramen water was..., ...boiling and the place was full (ie 5 people!), But that's probably on account of my excess weight
Guest
hybrid
Points +26
im heartbroken - Edit
I saw this place on a YouTube video a few years ago and dreamed of coming here, it was literally the one ramen place I needed to go to when I visited Japan
Read moreFinally I’m here and I’m so upset
The food was mid, not terrible, just mid. However, I am a fussy eater! Ordered the recommended ramen, garlic gyoza & fried soy meat. The fried soy meat was okay, gyoza didn’t taste of garlic and the ramen was spaghetti noodles, which isn’t totally unheard of but I was a bit confused
What was heartbreaking was the owner seemed kinda cold towards us AND he is a massive anti-vaxxer. He’s got some bullshit propaganda in the [censored] menu!!
It’s such a shame because this is a small, independent place ran by one guy who has just lost himself to the crazy brigade
Unfortunately, I won’t be coming back
Guest
Favial
Points +20
Very disappointing experience - Edit
The restaurant had antisemitic memorabilia (Protocols of the Elders of Zion ). This made the whole experience quite uncomfortable - I wouldn’t go back to support a place like that.
Read moreThe food was only ok, and very overpriced for just broth and noodles with barely any toppings.
Strongly don’t recommend.
Guest
fabiane
Points +756
Taste Ramem - Edit
The ramen was delicious, the restaurant is vegan and also has gluten free options, is a small, Japanese style place, many nice Ramen and gyoza options. The gyoza was not too much much my taste, but my friend liked it. A bit pricey, so be prepared to spend more than other normal Ramen place.
Read moreGuest
AnitaDollar
Points +4081
Fantastic ramen - Edit
I enjoyed every sip of this rich broth! Cannot wait to go back and try all flavours :)
Read moreGuest
sasham
Points +4724
Still amazing! - Edit
Updated review 2024:
Read moreI was here last time around three years ago and the ramen is still amazing! Shop owner is such a great person, conscious and an empathetic person.
The ramen is still amazing, broth is made with carefully selected organic ingredients. Im going to be coming here more often as food is great and idea and mindset of the shop is needed in the world.
Old review:
I thought I had eaten some pretty good vegan ramen in Tokyo already, but this one is fantastic!
What a cute little gem in Shimokitazawa! I wish I had come here earlier, and will return for sure. It is so important to support these small businesses, especially during these times. The shop is located around 12 minutes from Shimokitazawa station.
Yakuzenshokudo Chabuzen is a small and intimate space and the food is made with love. The shop has an extensive ramen menu and around five different gyoza dishes. A small drink and alcohol menu is also available. The ramen soup base is made as per Kyushu traditions, with the mission statement of making it natural, vegan and with fresh ingredients. Some of the dishes are named "dragon" after Bruce Lee :-)
We had the recommended ramen dish, spicy gyoza set and the homemade chai. The owner/chef was very nice, quite attentive and took interest in us. The ramen soup was powerful in taste and
you can pick a thick or thin noodle type. The regular size ramen comes with a generous amount of toppings too and the dish is tasty and filling.
The shop has a point card system, that I for sure will actively use.
Updated from previous review on 2024-02-10
Pros: Everything, Point card system
Cons: Small space, so go with a small group.
Guest
eam
Points +245
friendly chef, cozy setting - Edit
Chef speaks English and is welcoming. Note that seating is more traditional with an elevated seating area you remove your shoes before sitting on (not a good restaurant if you’re wearing a skirt). Great meal.
Read moreGuest
harrisonfm
Points +681
Antivax Ramen - Edit
It was a little weird seeing the back pages of the menu dedicated to antivaccine propaganda but there it is.
Read moreAdditionally, I thought the seating was uncomfortable and have never before had vegan ramen without any veggies.
I’d say skip but this is the only vegan ramen in the area, so maybe take your noodles with a side of crazy.
Updated from previous review on 2023-12-06
Guest
kaus19
Points +942
Nice little vegan gem in the neighbourhood - Edit
Had a nice time here. Need to walk a bit from the station. The chef was kind and made feel welcoming. Ramen and gyoza were undoubtedly delicious. You get to sit in the nice little spot with your shoes off. Recommended!
Read moreGuest
KristinaLR
Points +177
Superb ramen and gyoza - Edit
This intimate place is the real deal - a one man operation of 2 tables and a counter. The dragon ramen was absolutely something special and one of my food highlights from Japan.
Read morePros: small independent business, lots of choice, so tasty
Cons: hot inside in hot weather!
Guest
HermanoGranger
Points +346
Cute little Ramen shop - Edit
A small fully vegan Ramen shop in the outskirts of Shimo-Kitazawa. This place was recommended by a japanese Friend. It's a tiny joint, with just two tables. Upon entering, you leave your shoes behind and settle in, either on your knees or cross-legged. The place is a one-man show—the owner, an elderly Japanese gentleman, handles everything, from cooking to serving, right in front of you.
Read moreWhat I ate:
- brown rice yeast Ramen w/ thin noodles, seaweed and fried Tofu
The broth was an absolute delight—creamy and bursting with umami. The brown rice yeast imparted a unique and delicious flavor. The thin noodles were cooked to perfection, and the addition of fried tofu brought a welcome protein element. However, I found myself craving more veggies and toppings.
It was quite basic ramen but it did the basics absolutely right. It was just missing some more toppings for me. The owner was incredibly kind and even offered me a complimentary tea when I asked for the check. If you don't mind the cross-legged seating, which can be a bit challenging for extended periods, it's definitely worth a visit.
Guest
WholefoodVeganPodcast
Points +62
So personal - Edit
What an amazing Japanese experience. A VERY small restaurant and easy to miss walking by. We sat cross legged and enjoyed a wonderful ramen, all cooked, served and greeted by one man. Absolutely loved it.
Read morePros: Service , Taste, Experience
Guest
vagovegano
Points +5407
The ramen is the bomb… - Edit
This place had good reviews by others on the Happy Cow app and I’ll have to concur. It’s a really small dive operated by a very nice gentleman. The ramen came to my table piping hot just how I like it. It didn’t have to travel that far since there was about 3-4 feet between me and the chef’s kitchenette. That’s how small this place was. In any case, the ramen and the garlic gyoza I ordered were very delicious. If you want the hole in the wall ramen Tokyo experience, then you gotta come support this small little restaurant.
Read morePros: Absolutely delicious food, Very good service
Cons: Tiny but charming restaurant space
Guest
Cue
Points +63
Super lecker und authentisch - Edit
Ein sehr kleines aber sehr sehr feines Ramenrestaurent. Alles ist vegan und superlecker.
Read moreIch kann es sehr empfehlen und auf meiner Japanreise war es eines der besten Essen, die ich genießen durfte.
Pros: Aufmerksamer Koch, Tolle Atmosphäre
Guest
RobyneTops
Points +38
Delicious Ramen - Edit
Small place but really good food!
Read moreGuest
lilinaomi
Points +59
Sooo delicious and such a cool place - Edit
Very small and cool place with sooo yummy ramen!!! We loved it and want to go back
Read moreGuest
Aussietraveller
Points +575
Real gem in tokyo! - Edit
I had the white dragon soup (which was so fantastic!!! Really surprised me!) and the gyozas were also great. This is a real hole in the wall type place and it’s just the owner working. He’s very friendly. Fantastic food. Absolutely recommend!
Read moreGuest
ZacW
Points +13
Best food I've had in Japan - Edit
Cozy hole-in-the-wall shop. 1 man operation, he cooks all the food right in front of you and it tastes amazing. Everything on the menu is great. It's a lot of ramen and I still finished my bowl. Highly recommend.
Read morePros: Great flavorful menu, Great service, Not too expensive
Cons: Not many options
Guest
GbTheQueen
Points +269
Best Vegan Ramen in Tokyo - Edit
What can I say I had a few ramen here in Tokyo and this one just nailed it out the park. I love it!!
Read moreI don’t even know how to describe it but he does a good job. You get to see them make it and enjoy a small ramen shop just like in the anime. You can’t get any surreal. Must try.
Pros: Great vegan ramen, Great service , Great Atmosphere
Cons: Seating is limited
Guest
MicciM
Points +1882
True Kyushu ramen! - Edit
Here you can enjoy a typical Kyushu ramen without ingredients derived from animal. They also offer a rice noodles variant.
Read morePlus, the place is located in Shimokitazawa, so it’s perfect to end the day.
Check the opening time, since right now opens only in the evening (17.00).
#Veganuary
Guest
wenhui0403
Points +29
Delicious - Edit
quaint little shop with cute elevated floor seating. felt like i was in a movie set! we were lucky that we were the only ones😄the food was delicious and hearty and owner was a sweet nice man. i loved the garlic ramen and gyoza
Read moreGuest
mtyk
Points +192
Authentic atmosphere, great food - Edit
Very homey and quiet location with a fully vegan menu. The ramen was very tasty.
Read moreGuest
Xinfudge
Points +225
This place is too cute - Edit
The atmosphere is so nice here! The cute little restaurant is in the middle of an unassuming street, away from the hustle and bustle of the main section of Shimokitazawa.
Read moreThe broth of the soup was sooo good I finished everything. Next time I will try the rice noodles.
Guest
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