l etoile

I wish I could help more ... like as in tell you exactly where this place is ...but there's a fabulous tofu and veggie restaurant in Kyoto. It's on a really popular walking street (several shops and restaurants and no vehicles that I recall) and a little before it makes a turn. It's very serene ... in a lovely garden. I had maybe an eight-course meal and spent most of the afternoon there. Like I said, I wish I could tell you more about where it is - I do remember it said tofu on the sign - but maybe your hotel will know it based on my oh-so-terrific (not) description.

mosburger

There are several temple stay options with veggie food in northern Kyoto. Apart from that, please check Imadegawa street just west of Doshisha University for a very varied food scene. It has a certain Berkeley type flair...The department store basement food(ie) courts on Shijo should also be interesting.

Pickles

Sounds like Okutan, in Sannenzaka, the old-style street with steps that runs between kyomizuderazaka and nenenomichi. One of my favorites, and I don't say that lightly. Much better than TARA fried potato, whatever that is.

diffuser78

I am very close to Shijo-Karasuma Bus stop to be exact. Any more input is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.

sfvoyage

I went to Crayon House yesterday for their daily lunch buffet (11:00-14:00, 1,260 yen), and I was quite underwhelmed. First of all, the selection was hardly extensive, and on top of that, 3 of the dishes had meat or seafood. Even the miso soup has fish stock. (I overlooked the fish stock and had a bowl of the miso soup, which was quite ordinary.) All I could have, besides the miso soup, was a salad, cold tofu, bitter melon stir fry (with tofu), brown rice topped with some slimy potato paste that was interesting, and barley tea. All the veggies were of the cheapest varieties. No fruits or dessert.

I had high hopes for this and had thought the price was a bargain, considering the high price for veggies in this town, but I left disappointed and hungry. This is the type of place that gives vegetarian cuisine a bad name. However, it was quite crowded and full of young parents with children, probably because the Crayon House building has a children bookstore & toystore upstairs.

On a different note, I came across Chaya at Isetan in Shinjuku, and they have a (macrobiotic) veggie (vegan?) prix fixe menu for around 4,650 yen and will look forward to trying that out next month. Any current reviews of this place?

Also, at the President Hotel in Aoyama, their lobby has an Italian restaurant called Orta (I think), which specializes in organic veggies. They have a vegan prix fixe (5 courses + tea & dessert) for 6,800 yen. I'm tempted to try it but think it is overpriced. Can't find any review of it so far online (in English, at least). Any opinions on this place?

gortuk

Yaoya no Nikai (http://www.bento.com/kansai/rev/7006.html) in Nishiki Market is fantastic - a single set lunch for Y2100, which varies every day according to what's fresh. The web page says reservations are recommended, but we just stopped by and put our names on the list for a seating about 20 minutes later.

l etoile

Yes, that's it. Thank you.

LapLap

I've eaten here and would not recommend this restaurant for someone who does not eat fish on a drop in basis. The article says it might be possible to request a vegetarian meal in advance - if you don't speak Japanese your concierge might be able to arrange this for you.

Q Shoe Guy

If any of you decide to join the masses of Korean and Chinese tourists around here (FUK) at the moment, I offer this macrobiotic restaurant. Full on vegetarian with no dairy used to boot.......

Offering the service lunch for about 800 Yen.


http://www.manna-k.com/

Q Shoe Guy

Quite famous, talked about in another thread. Try the mille feuille (SP) if they still make it........

ksandness

I was told that commercial curry sauces contain tallow. This may no longer be true (I was told this some 30 years ago), but be aware.

Q Shoe Guy

Traditionally curry spices have been fried in clarified butter or ghee (pardon the spelling) then vegetables are added......(in India curries). As you point out , Japanese curry is more a cross between tomato based/beef stock gravies, than traditional curries from South Asia.

allset2travel

I am not a vegetarian, but still wants a good meatless meal once in a while. Very useful web link, THANKS.
Like the OP, I am trying to look for similar info for Osaka and Kyoto for casual dining once in a while, vegetarian style!

allset2travel

Thanks for the link!

hotsnakes

In Osaka, you must check out Common Cafe, which is a space used by many different young entrepreneurs who get a night to turn it into their own cafe, shop, or entertainment venue, depending on the schedule. It's a really wonderful place and I love the neighborhood. See here. It is near the Nakazakicho subway exit.

I have eaten at "Cafe Millet" and it is at least vegetarian. IIRC there were vegan options too. Here is a picture of the sign to look for and here is a picture of my meal. I hate ketchup but otherwise it was yummy.