Vegan
Japanese
Beer/Wine
Take-out
Traditional vegan Japanese restaurant, which specialises in chazuke, a simple Japanese dish made by pouring green tea, dashi, or hot water over cooked rice. Accompany dishes may include stewed shiitake mushrooms, housemade nijiya seaweed, and nama-fu, grilled gluten in a vegan dashi stock. Address in Japanese: 中京区南車屋町287 木屋町会館1階. Open Mon-Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm.
172 Reviews
First Review by pareman
ClaudiaMoore
Points +50
Service Problem - Edit
The restaurant only has six seats. This is not a problem. But the restaurant also allows people to hold a place in line for friends.
Read moreWe had four people ahead of us. We waited 45 minutes. Then two more people arrived and joined their friends. The restaurant allowed them to cut in, forcing us to wait until another full group of six had started and finished their meals.
The server explained that the group had informed her ahead of time that they were a party of four, not two.
But the server did not inform us of this beforehand, despite having seen us waiting and having walked past us several times.
And now, after 45 minutes, we would likely need to wait another hour in the cold.
With only six seats, it seems unfair that people can hold seats for people who are not physically present, and not informing us was very inconsiderate.
Be aware that if you’ve waited in line a long time, people ahead of you can bring in friends that will cut in line.
We cannot speak to the food quality as, rather than wait another hour, we left.
Updated from previous review on 2023-11-13
Cons: Inconsiderate service
noborio
Dear Claudia Moore
Read moreWe apologize for the inconvenience on the 13th.
There were two guests in line in front of you two, but we did not inform you that there were four guests, so they were not interrupted.
We are very sorry that you had to wait in the cold.
From now on, we will prepare a waiting list so that everyone will know how many customers are waiting, and we will make sure this problem won’t happen again.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Much appreciated🙏
Guest
MaríaGMG
Points +22
Sitio muy especial - Edit
Es un lugar muy pequeño... Lo mejor es intentar reservar. La comida en porciones pequeñas pero esta deliciosa... Tofu, soja elaborada de varias maneras, dumplings... Lo llevan dos mujeres en una cocina diminuta pero limpio y son encantadoras!
Read morePros: Las elaboraciones de soja
Cons: Nada
Guest
ErinJordanna
Points +406
Small portions but so tasty - Edit
Tiny hole in the wall vegan restaurant with 6 seats. We had a beautiful meal of assorted small vegan dishes (the portions are quite tiny if sharing). Yummy flavours and cosy environment!
Read morePros: Soy meat, Japanese style food, Cosy
Cons: Only 6 guests at a time
Guest
VeganPhal
Points +46
Small and cosy / small & Quality menue - Edit
Quick dinner, hardly any waiting time on a saturday @ 7pm(ish), very small place (seats ca 7(?)), yet good atmosphere and very friendly staff (2).
Read moreWe had desert (no photo), very delicious if you expect „real“ chocolate
Pricing v fair compared to vegan/veggie alternatives
Guest
X0X83X
Points +80
Amazing experience - Edit
A place not to miss in Kyoto !
Read moreTraditional japanese food with a meaning.
The products come from a vegan farm.
We tried almost everything in the menu with my wife and it was so delicious ! Yummy!
The place is really tiny, but it’s part of the experience.
The staff was super friendly and welcoming!
Pros: Food, Food, Staff
Guest
Husopp
Points +535
THE BEST FOOD I’VE EVER HAD - Edit
If it would be possible to give more than five stars I WOULD - it was probably the best food I’ve ever had!
Read moreThe experience in there was so unique: it was a perfect evening with a really personal and comfortable atmosphere. The soy meat was just perfection, the best „meat“ ever. The cook prepared everything with so much love and was so unbelievably kind. It was almost meditative to watch your food being prepared like this. This experience was a 11/10. If you’re ever in Kyoto this is a must visit. If you’re not in Kyoto: go get there to visit Nijiya!
Pros: You can see your perfect food being freshly cooked, Very personal & unique experience, Outstandingly kind cook, amazing atmosphere
Guest
FranciscoBecerra
Points +114
Best vegan restaurant in Kyoto - Edit
After three weeks in Japan, I can confirm that Nijiya is, overall, the best vegan restaurant we've been to on our trip.
Read moreThere are six seats, and the atmosphere is wonderful. You see how each dish is prepared with attention to detail.
On the other hand, the food is amazing. Everything tastes fresh and has flavors that I have never tried before. Both the set of small plates and the soy meats (yakitori and yakiniku) were spectacular, although the soy meat is directly one of the tastiest and best texture I have ever tasted. Tofu and yuba was also very good, and the chazuke is a must try.
In short, a 10/10.
Pros: Soy meats, Chazuke, Great service
Cons: Nothing at all, everything was great!
Guest
DJMurat
Points +29
Worth waiting in line for - Edit
Nijiya is a very tiny but intimate establishment. The food portions look small but they seem to be the right amount without overdoing it if you're ordering a bit of everything and the flavours are just wonderful.
Read moreThe yakiniku was definitely a favourite of ours.
Updated from previous review on 2023-11-06
Pros: Beautiful flavours , Cosy and intimate
Cons: The food disappears way too quickly ;)
Guest
HollyBree
Points +34
Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! - Edit
We’d never had yakitori before as long term vegans/vegetarians and it was out of this world delicious.
Read moreAll of the other dishes were incredible also. I couldn’t fault any of them and the staff are an absolute delight. If you are in Kyoto this is a must go!
Pros: Yakitori! , The eggplant , Chazuke.
Cons: None
Guest
OanaValeriaSerban
Points +439
Japanese Vegan Rest - Edit
Cozy small restaurant who serves Japanese Vegan Food.
Read moreIt is popular is Kyoto and people are waiting in line for a table.
Pros: Tasty Japanese Food , Cozy atmosphere
Guest
Totoro3
Points +26
10/10 - Edit
I’ve been traveling in Japan for 2 weeks now, and this is hands down the best I’ve eaten on my trip so far.
Read morePros: Friendly staff., Really loved the Yakitori.
Guest
azuki_monster
Points +906
Izakaya, they do not only have ochazuke - Edit
This little izakaya has a lot to offer apart from ochazuke. The food is good, but it is quite expensive. The atmosphere is really nice, but be prepared to wait they only a hand full of seats.
Read morePros: Good food, Friendly atmosphere
Cons: Pricey
Guest
Kalliejackson
Points +34
Favourite vegan meal, ever! - Edit
Amazing food, sweet quiet atmosphere, non-pretentious but the best vegan meal we’ve ever had. The best faux meats, the best flavouring and texture. Their cheese was also excellent. Wonderful staff and just an all around uplifting evening. I tried my best to savour every bite because I don’t know that I will ever have food this delicious again. Shout out to my favourite kimchi (comes with the yakiniku, which is the best!)
Read morePros: Food (esp the faux meat) , Atmosphere, Staff
Guest
CA89SS
Points +2138
Best meal of Kyoto - Edit
What an incredible experience! This place is only a 6 seater but the turn over time is about 45-60 minutes. The menu is fresh, varied and incredibly flavourful. The alcohol menu is very traditional which is very complimentary to the food. Essentially you order small plates until you are full. We found it very reasonably priced for such high end fare. Highly recommend!
Read morewalrez
I’m terrible with chopsticks and that limits me with the choices I get. That’s too bad, but I feel that I embarrassed myself enough in Tokyo, too bad.
Read moreGuest
vlmay
Points +139
Phenomenal experience - Edit
Had a fabulous experience at nijiya. The food was so well executed that after a few sake I was sure it was actual chicken (it’s not 😅 ) absolutely mind blowing, this was the best meat substitute I have ever had. The place is quaint and seats only 6 so you may have to wait but it is worth it! The marinated tofu on the tasting place was also spectacular.
Read morePros: The staff are lovely , Small and intimate, Authentic
Guest
SananPhanichkrivalko
Points +17
Best Vegan Food in Tokyo - Edit
Small shop with limited seating but food was amazing and the chef and hostess were super friendly. Will recommend as a must visit when in Kyoto.
Read moreMust try vegan yakitori, tofu & yuba
Guest
Chainreaction94
Points +106
Great! - Edit
Awesome meat-like skewers and very friendly Personal!!
Read morePros: Incredible Food, Not too expensive
Cons: Really tiny room, maybe some waiting time
Guest
HelenS02
Points +210
So good but tiiiny! - Edit
The food here is amazing, my meat-eater friend couldn't even tell the difference with the skewers. This is a special place with delicious and beautiful options. Be aware though as it's tiny and we waited for an hour to get a seat and then they'd run out of one of the options we'd been drooling over.
Read moreGuest
nmarlow
Points +44
Itssss Great!!! - Edit
Seriously one of the best vegan restaurants I dined at. It is small but it packs with great flavor! The restaurant sits 6 people so don’t come hungry, you may have to wait but it is soooo worth it! The yakitori and 5 kind assortment was the best things on the menu in my opinion! Portions are small so you get to try basically everything! Wish I lived here so that I can eat here again!
Read moreGuest
EliseB06
Points +462
Wonderful - Edit
Nijiya is a lovely and intimate izakaya. The food was delicious and the service was top notch. It is quite a small place so be prepared to wait to get a seat. But the food is worth the wait! I would recommend the tofu &yuba plate, the obanzai 5 assortment, the yakiniku, the yakitori and the cheese assortment. But everything was lovely! Highly recommend this place for an authentic Izakaya experience!
Read moreGuest
EmiliaLouers
Points +881
Very nice place - Edit
Staff friendly
Read moreA Real izakaya but vegan
Food was really tasty
Guest
Mxrta
Points +176
Cosy space and great food - Edit
Beware of the size of the place (we didn’t know it’d be so small). It’s basically the kitchen and 6 seats in a very narrow space. I honestly didn’t mind until we had to stand up for several minutes for other people to leave/new people to come in.
Read moreRegarding the food I really enjoyed what we had. Food is prepared with care and you can see how it’s made. I encourage every vegan in Kyoto to visit the place.
Guest
sverkules
Points +244
Refused service - Edit
Supposedly open til 23, also an open sign in front, but refused entry when arriving at 21:50. I guess
Read morenot the end of the world, but annoying having walked all the way. So don’t trust the opening hours.
Guest
Dancinglemming
Points +579
Lovely little restaurant - Edit
Seating options are limited to 8, but the food is lovely. Choose from a selection of small plates.
Read morePros: Centrally located, Good quality food
Cons: Not much space!
Guest
Croy21
Points +30
So GOOD!!! - Edit
The food was amazing here! We had the Yakitori and it was one of the most amazing tasting dishes we’ve had as vegans in 6 years. Melt in your mouth, could have eaten 100 of them. The dumplings were delicate and delicious and the Yakiniku was also fantastic. The service was perfection, 100% would recommend and we’ll likely be back before we leave Kyoto. Only 6 seats inside but worth the wait if it’s full.
Read morePros: Very tasty menu items , Plum wine options were great, had mixed with soda , Service was excellent
Cons: small dishes, maybe charge more for larger portion
Guest
Lailahljan
Points +75
Delicious and high quality - Edit
Cute little place, amazing food. Portion sizes are small but very tasty. Owner is a wonderful person. Thank you!
Read moreGuest
Mascha-in-Berlim
Points +184
Small, but great - Edit
Very small restaurant with 6 seats at the counter. You can choose several dishes since the portions are not too big. This gives you the opportunity to try a variety. I had the 5 small plates dish. And dumplings in soy sauce. Everything tasted different and so good. Best are the teryaki! Great!
Read moreAnd the chocolate dessert made of gelated red beans and cacao, delicious!
The prices are very reasonable for the quality and I felt satisfied after my meal. Prepare having to wait.
Pros: All fresh, very good quality and taste, Fast service, Good prices
Cons: Too small to feed all😄
Guest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business
See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 39858 times.