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Vegetarian and vegan diets are not as mainstream in Japan as in other countries. Meat and fish are commonly found in Japanese food, so it may be an adjustment process at first - but a plant-powered diet will not stop you from making the most of your time in Japan! When eating out, don’t trust the menu 100% of the time. 'Vegetarian' here may have a slightly different meaning. For example, the vegetable dish could be made with a type of stock made from bones or fish flakes. It could also mean that the focus of the dish is not meat, therefore a “vegetable dish” may not be suitable for vegetarians. Grocery Shopping Tips and Tricks
Understanding Food Labels Adapted from the super-helpful resource by The Japanese Rose. Make sure to take a look to read food labels like a pro! thejapaneserose.com/reading-japanese-food-labels-as-a-vegan/ 1. Is there an allergen chart? Check if any animal products are highlighted. 2. Have a look at the allergen information which is in brackets If there is no allergen chart, check the allergen information in brackets (at the end of the ingredients list). 3. Look at the full ingredient list to double-check Animal ingredients not part of the 28 allergens may be hiding in the ingredients. Look out for:
Go-to Shiga Spots Earth Care Cafe, Hikone - salads and sandwiches, acai bowls M's Cafe, Hikone - Japanese-style plant-based options Tacos and Lunch, Nagahama - vegetarian option available Hiyori, Katata - Italian restaurant with vegetarian options Indian restaurants - yummy options including dhals, paneer, etc. Nationwide chains in Shiga with plant-based options include Hama-Sushi and Coco Ichibanya. There may be a risk of cross-contamination with meat products at certain restaurants. Make sure you are happy with preparation methods, especially at places handling meat products, shared fryers, etc. Other Yummy Options in Kyoto and Osaka Shiga is conveniently located in the Kansai region with easy access to major cities by public transport where you can find even more options! Kyoto
Vegan and Gluten-Free Osaka - dedicated vegan (and gluten-free) restaurant in Umeda OKO - Fun Okonomiyaki Bar - vegan options available Food Pics from JET senpai
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