Why I think Tokyo, Japan, was a Food Paradise (Vegetarian Options included)
Image shows Katie on backroad of Tokyo, Japan
We traveled to Japan and South Korea for our wedding vacation and honeymoon, and personally, I found Japan’s food to be my favorite thanks to the huge variety of vegetarian-friendly options (we’ve only visited Tokyo so far). Everywhere we went had at least one vegetarian dish, and each one felt like a handcrafted masterpiece.
Image shows our meal at McDonald’s (Narita, Japan)
We landed in Narita (NRT) and headed into the nearby town for dinner. The very first place we had to check out was McDonald’s. Its menu was noticeably different from what we’re used to in the United States, which made it a fun first taste of how food culture changes abroad. Katie ordered the teriyaki burger with sweet tea and fries, while I just had a large fry. I didn’t see a vegetarian option here.
Image shows the breakfast we got at Sarutahiko Coffee.
The next morning, our first full day after arriving, we headed into Tokyo and ended up at Sarutahiko Coffee near Marunouchi Nijubashimae Station. We didn’t plan to go there at all, but once we were in the city, we mostly walked to our destinations and stopped wherever looked good to eat. I ordered a pesto sandwich, while Katie had an egg sandwich (with strawberry jam inside), and we both grabbed flavored coffees, which ended up being some of the best we had on the trip. The employees were incredibly kind and genuinely lit up when we thanked them in Japanese.
Image shows the Cheese & Doria + Sweets sign.
For lunch, we headed to Sunshine City Tower and stopped at Cheese & Doria + Sweets. I ordered a cheese pizza, while Katie got the “Thick and Luxurious Half & Half,” which came with a heater underneath to keep it warm while eating. We also shared a side of potato wedges. This ended up being our favorite meal overall during our time in Tokyo.
Image shows the Joyful Medley Tea Soda in a to-go cup
We skipped dinner that night since we were still full from our late lunch, but we did stop at Starbucks for a snack on the way back to Ueno Station before hopping on the KTX back to Narita. I ordered a coffee. Katie ordered a Joyful Medley Tea Soda, and we got our own donuts to try.
The next morning, we had a light breakfast back at the hotel. Nothing too filling, but just enough to hold us over until lunch. They also had shelves full of unique candies and snacks, which made it fun to browse and try a few things we don’t usually see back home.
Image shows Tokyo Tower
The first thing we did after arriving that day was head to Tokyo Tower, where we immediately started snacking. That’s where I completely fell in love with Tokyo Bananas, so much so that I still have some in my freezer – from H-Mart, Orlando, FL. We also shared another coffee, a baked treat, and a plate of cheese and crackers at Mother Ranch CAFÉ Tokyo Tower Store. Every bite felt thoughtful and high quality, which made even simple snacks feel special.
Image shows the food menu from 2Foods
Our first major meal of the day was at 2Foods, and by far, this was my favorite meal of the trip (not Katie’s, since everything here is fully vegan 😂). The burger patty had the best texture and flavor, not in a “trying to taste like meat” way, but in a perfectly seasoned, spice-forward way that stood on its own. My mouth is honestly watering just writing about it. We was so hungry that we completely forgot to take a photo of the food, but trust me on this one.
As a vegetarian, I would 110% recommend stopping here just to try it yourself.
Image shows the Straw Hat Cafe at the Studio Ghibli Museum
After eating there, we hopped on the metro and headed all the way to the Studio Ghibli Museum. While there, we grabbed a snack at the Straw Hat Café, sharing an iced coffee and another baked treat. The food wasn’t anything mind-blowing, but it was still worth trying. Most pop-up and themed cafés aren’t really known for incredible food anyway. They’re more about the experience, the design, and the fun, themed menus, and this one definitely delivered on that front.
The last place we ate in Tokyo was Yoroiya, tucked just off Nakamise Shopping Street near Senso-ji Temple. Katie ordered chashu don, while I stuck to a few side dishes since I was still full from all the snacks I’d eaten throughout the day. The food was cooked right in front of you and handed directly across the counter, with single booths where you sit facing the chef. They do have tables for larger groups, but those were all full when we arrived. This ended up being Katie’s favorite meal of the trip. It felt the most authentic, wasn’t touristy at all despite the location, and was surprisingly the cheapest meal we had in Tokyo. A lot of people consider this spot a hidden gem, and we definitely recommend trying it for yourself if you’re nearby.
Summary
Overall, my top two favorite places were 2Foods as my number one, followed closely by Cheese & Doria + Sweets. I loved 2Foods for how creative and satisfying the vegan dishes were. The flavors felt intentional and well-balanced, and it was one of those meals that genuinely surprised me in the best way. Cheese & Doria + Sweets came in second because it struck the perfect balance between comfort food and something a little unique, and it ended up being a favorite for both of us.
Katie’s top picks were Yoroiya as her number one, with Cheese & Doria + Sweets again coming in second. Yoroiya stood out to her for how authentic and local it felt, from watching the food being prepared right in front of you to how affordable and non-touristy the experience was. Even though our number one choices were different, it was clear that Cheese & Doria + Sweets was a shared favorite and one of the most memorable meals we had in Tokyo.
When it came to snacks, my personal favorite was Tokyo Bananas from the Tokyo Tower. They were so good that I still think about them (and yes, I still keep some in my freezer). Katie’s favorite snack was the cheese and crackers from Mother Ranch CAFÉ Tokyo Tower Store, which were simple but incredibly fresh and flavorful, and felt like the perfect savory balance to all the sweets we tried.
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