It’s not easy to find vegan Japanese food served in restaurants. Here’s a few vegan establishments that do offer vegan Japanese cuisine:

Cha-Ya

762 Valencia St.

San Francisco, CA 94110

Cha-Ya uses centuries-old cooking traditions to prepare their authentic Japanese meals. Menu items at this all-vegan restaurant include sushi rolls, noodle dishes, soups, salads, rice bowls, and desserts.

Kajitsu

125 E. 39th St.

New York, NY 10016

Kajitsu serves Shojin cuisine (an ancient Japanese cuisine developed in Zen Buddhist monasteries) that focuses on fresh ingredients and artistic presentation. Following the Buddhist principle of not taking life, no animal products are used. The menu changes monthly according to what is in season. Diners can choose between two prix-fixe menus — four or eight courses. The meals are served on handmade ceramic dishes, some of which are antiques. You will find Kajitsu is not far from Grand Central Station. Reservations are recommended at this upscale restaurant.

Red White Japanese Vegan

294 Newbury St.

Boston, MA 02115

Red White is a fast-casual restaurant with smoothies and bowls. Fast-casual and bowls seem to go together like beans and rice, but when was the time it was Japanese? With a base of sushi rice, and toppings like tofu, eggplant, mushrooms, yams, and more, all while topped off by any of five Japanese-styled sauces, you’re sure to encounter a new flavor experience.

Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar & Izakaya

370 14th St.

San Francisco, CA 94103

Shizen features a wide variety of traditional Japanese cuisine including soups, sushi, and noodle dishes. Diners can opt to stick with simple dishes like the Avocado Nigiri or Vegetable Gyoza or try one of the many specialty rolls, with options like the Open Invitation or The Candlestick (with live fire). Be sure to check out the dessert menu as well.

Shojin

333 S. Alameda St., Ste. 310

Los Angeles, CA 90013

And

12406 W. Washington Blvd.

Culver City, Ca 90066

Shojin offers an extensive menu of organic and vegan Japanese cuisine including salads, pastas, noodle dishes, curries, and soups. They have even developed three types of seitan, each with its own recipe and cooking method, to correspond with the tastes and textures of chicken, pork, and beef. Their lunch specials are a great value. Shojin on Alameda is located in downtown Los Angeles in the Little Tokyo Shopping Center.

Tane Vegan Izakaya

2065 S. Beretania St.

Honolulu, HI 96826

A completely vegan sushi bar is a rare thing indeed, so don’t miss out. There are dozens of options including vegan nigari, classic, and specialty rolls. If you’d prefer a bowl to a roll, try the ramen or the specialty salads.

Be sure to visit The Vegetarian Resource Group’s online veggie restaurant guide for the USA and Canada here: https://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php