Plant Based Eating in Tokyo, Japan: a Culinary Adventure in the Far East
By Molly Patrick
Aug 31, 2019,
I had brought some buckwheat cereal flakes with me from Malaysia to have in a pinch. It was a good call because even if there was a relatively healthy cereal to buy I wouldn’t know it because of the language barrier. I happily enjoyed cereal and almond milk for dinner.
The next day we made our way to a proper, stand alone healthy grocery store called Natural House in Omotesando. It had organic produce, a hot food bar and lots of healthy groceries.
I was determined to buy some groceries so I could cook some basic meals in our hotel room. I asked every worker in the health food store if they spoke English and I finally found someone who did.
She was incredibly kind and she walked around the whole store with me, answering my questions about which items were vegan. If you can find someone who speaks English, it’s gold!
We had lunch at the food bar before heading out.
I had miso veggie soup and some potatoes. Those were two things that I got confirmation were vegan. I also had a ginger ale and it was delicious.
Walking the streets of Tokyo filled my soul with joy.
If you’re ever in a pinch, go to an Izakaya and order pickled cucumbers. Izakaya is the Japanese equivalent to Spanish Tapas: drinks and little bites of food. They’re everywhere.
The cucumbers are vegan, crisp and super yummy. They aren’t really pickled, they are in a salty vinegar sesame brine. So good!
No smoking on the street but you can smoke in some restaurants. It was so nice to walk the streets without smelling cigarettes. It’s always the ex-smokers who get the most bugged by the smell of cigs. I know I’m guilty of this.
Because of the nice worker at the health food store I knew this was organic red miso. I was so stoked to have it! All I had to do was add some hot water and miso to a mug and boom, miso soup in our hotel room was served. This was actually the best miso I’ve ever had.
If you ever have tummy troubles when you travel, find some miso ASAP – it will help so much.
Before I left Malaysia I picked up some vegan baked beans and some vegan minestrone soup so I could have it as backup food in Japan. If you have a can of beans or a can of soup and a stove or a microwave, you are golden.
Now that I had my almond milk, I could have some corn flakes at breakfast in our hotel. I also had toast and orange slices.
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Wonderful!!!! Sounds like you had a delightful time, and damn girls! You both are tenacious!!!!!
Loved reading this article. Thank you. My condolences to your dad❤???❤???
Much love, karen
Having lost my Daddy 5 years ago and watching and caring for older members of my family as they, frankly, decline, my heart goes out to you both. When we were younger, we
seemed to be sailing in smooth, pleasant waters. As we get older, with those folks in our family declining and dying, it can so often seem that we have now lowered our sails and are simply attempting to adjust to the storm…
I have learned that you never truly recover from the loss of a beloved. All that bullshit that people throw at you saying: “Oh, it will just take time” is actual fuckery. Instead, this becomes your new “normal”.
It sucks and hurts.
But, one thing that gives comfort to me is to share the stories and memories of those I have lost with my children who have never met most of these now dead folks. To share not only keeps the memory of those who died alive, but it establishes in my children who they are and where they come from.
Even if there are no kids, I believe this type of recollection, to anyone with whom you want to share, in a weird way, I suppose, keeps those beloved lost persons alive…
As for your dad’s stroke, I, again, am so sorry. This unexpected shit just falls upon us, and it sucks. Just remember to take care of yourself, and your mom should do so as well. (I know you are not in the same state as your parents.) Caregiving is exhausting but must be done…
Warm thoughts of love to both of you.
C
What a great experience your trip was. Thanks for making me feel apart of it.
So sorry to hear about Luann’s father passing. Never easy to loose a parent. Also sorry to hear about your father, hope he is on the mend.
Im sorry to hear about your dads. Fast healing for your dad Molly and condolences to Luann. Can you clarify the prices of the melons? It looked like $70.00 and $250.00 which seems highly unlikely. Love your weekly posts!
The price of the melons are from around $250 for the rock melon to $700 USD. Yes hundreds 🙂
I love going on these travel journeys with you guys. I’ve never been out of the USA so it is a real treat. We are currently going thru the ageing parent thing and it’s really hard. My wife’s Mom is in TX and we are in CA. Jenny was there for two months this summer finally moving her Mom to assisted living. So sorry to hear about both of your Dads. It so hard but nevertheless we persist. Thank you for your time and photos. You are so wonderful and real. Love Connie & Jenny
I have really enjoyed reading your experiences in Japan and love the photos. Very surprised to see the graffiti on the roller door in one of the small side street photos. I had to laugh because it seems the graffiti tag all looks the same in any language. Your writing really makes me want to go and visit.
May you and Luanne and your loved ones concerned find all the support and strength needed as you go through this pain that life throws at us all.
Thanks for taking the time to write this detailed blog – it’s fascinating!! I love your new jumpsuit!! Haha 🙂
Your post rings true again for me. Lost my cousin yesterday. She’s only about 6 or 8 years older than me (I am almost 68) so I am feeling mortal. Thanks for the tips on traveling to Japan. It’s our next trip to plan.