Top Vegan Eats in Niseko, Japan
To kick off the new year I recently spent 2 glorious weeks skiing in Japan. It’s not often that I get to spend such a solid chunk of time with my partner and friends, and it was an amazing trip. I was however, initially hesitant about what I was going to eat while I was away. As you know, Japan is notorious for not having the best vegan options. Yet instead, my preconceptions were thrown out the window and I was blown away by all the delicious vegan food that was on offer in Niseko. Here are some of my favourites:
Green Farm Cafe
Great for: coffee, casual breakfast and lunch
Green Farm Cafe had a heap of great breakfast and lunch options as well as pretty good coffee (which can be tricky to find outside of Aus). The café had a relaxed, comfy atmosphere and always had a daily vegan cake option! My favourite meal option here was the avocado smash on toast - totally vegan friendly and delicious.
The Barn
Great for: an extensive wine list or a more formal dinner occasion
Set in an iconic building, the barn is a great place for date night on the snow. They have a set menu that boasts a vegetarian option, but if you ask the friendly staff, they are more than happy to make it vegan for you. You’ll be served up sushi, a delicious Japanese salad, bread and a vegan berg (basically a deconstructed vegan burger). The Barn also has an excellent sides menu – all of them (broccoli, fries, spinach etc) can be made vegan-friendly simply by asking the wait staff to have them sautéed in oil instead of butter.
A Bu Cha 2
Great for: traditional Japanese style dinner with friends. Whilst in Japan, a traditional, Japanese-style meal is a must! A Bu Cha 2 has a section of low, traditional tables with floor cushions – ask to sit here for a cosy experience. This restaurants rocks because they have a full vegetarian menu. The staff were incredibly accommodating, so just be sure to request no egg or butter. For dinner here I ate a tofu hot pot, corn, and mushroom skewers – all delicious and super fresh! Just be sure to book in advance, this restaurant is in high demand so reservations are necessary.
Yoko Oh Nos
Great for: casual drinks and darts with your mates
This relaxed restaurant has awesome drink specials and a fun vibe. It’s a great place to hang with your mates. Whilst their menu used to have a whole heap of vegan options, they have recently reduced their menu options. However, it’s not one to skip – just talk to the waitstaff who will happily make you up a vegan feast. They were super friendly and made me up edamame, guacamole and chips, and topped it off with vegan vegetable fajitas!
The Big Foot
Great for: small group dinners, comfort foodI went here with a bunch of friends and I'm pleased to report that the vegan options on the menu were the highlight, far overshadowing the non-vegan options. I chose to eat the vegan popcorn chicken which was out of this world! It tasted so tender and delicious. My second dish was the green burger. This is a 100% vegan option and was quite possibly the best vegan burger I have ever tasted (big call, I know). This restaurant doesn’t accept bookings so it’s first come, first served. Perfect after a long day on the slopes!
KUMO Restaurant
Great for: lunch on the slopes, or a relaxed dinner
KUMO was one of my favourites whilst we were in Niseko. The menu was really vegan friendly with a bunch of options, and the staff were very accommodating. I opted for the Hokkaido soup curry with tofu which was delicious. My ski instructor chose the tofu steak which received another stellar review. Other vegan options on the menu included the soup of the day, edamame, potatoes, and salads. Will have to save it for my next trip to Japan!
Hotel Niseko Alpen - Restaurant Slalom
Great for: lunch on the slopes
We ate here for lunch on our first day of skiing and it did not disappoint! This place is a perfect example of how looks can be deceiving. To be frank, it looked a bit dodgy and the menu did not do any of the items justice. I opted for the only vegan option – a plate of mixed tofu, expecting little. To my surprise, when it arrived my mouth dropped to the floor. It was enormous and looked absolutely delicious! I had never tried tofu in so many ways, as well as soup, rice, fermented vegetables and a heap of different sauces. My friends were all very jealous and wished that their meat ramen was as delicious as mine!