Vegan Izakaya — Restaurant in Kyoto

The food was delicious, but it wasn’t what I was expecting from an izakaya (I went to the Tokyo restaurant last week which had more selection and felt more authentic) The atmosphere was also really strange - the foreigners were clearly lumped together in a separate area, very close together and with no music playing or any sort of noise so it meant you didn’t really feel comfortable to speak with whoever you were with, because everyone would hear it. I’ve been to quite a few izakayas on my Japan travels and there’s always been some sort of atmosphere/ambience, but the atmosphere of this place was completely dead, virtually nonexistent which just made everything feel rather awkward (especially seeing as most people in the foreigner section was a Westerner where we find situations like that rather uncomfortable).

I think if this place was to really be better it would mean incorporating more authentic Japanese variety on the menu, to not be afraid to mix Japanese with foreigners (or at least not make it so obvious that we’re only allowed to eat at a designated area which is separate from everything else), and to just create more of an atmosphere (background music, more human/face-to-face interaction, not making it so obvious that the foreigners eat together in one small area, better use of space rather than a table in the front then a bunch of tables for foreigners in the designated area, etc).

They should take a leaf out of the Tokyo branch’s book - better atmosphere, more selection on the menu and no obvious separation of Japanese...

Step into an authentic Japanese house setting for a simple yet quite satisfying vegan meal. The menu features dishes like spicy tofu, gyozas and various fried dishes, offering a comforting take on classic izakaya cuisine.

To clear up any confusion (as we were initially misled by reviews, and noticed others were too): everything on the menu, including the “chicken-style” dishes, is 100% vegan, made from soy-based mock meat protein. The sauces are as well - tartar is pretty much made with silken tofu and kalak namak. Also, would be truly appreciated to be a tiny bit more generous on the soy/ponzu sauce!

The (assumed) owners were warm and welcoming, adding to the charm of the experience. However, one of the waitstaff began gently urging customers to wrap up around 9:00 PM, likely due to the 10:00 PM closing time.

While the dishes lean towards simple, fried comfort food, it’s always a delight to discover vegan Japanese options. A great spot for those seeking plant-based eats in a...

📍Vegan Izakaya Masaka, Kyoto⬇️

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Eating at ヴィーガン居酒屋真さか (Vegan Izakaya Masaka) in Kyoto is such a treat! 🇯🇵✨ This hidden gem gives you the full izakaya experience but 100% vegan 🌿. From the sizzling mapo tofu in a stone pot🔥, to fried & steamed dumplings 🥟, to the mind-blowing marine mushrooms🍄 — every dish is packed with flavor and love.

The staff are warm and welcoming 🙏, the vibe is cozy and stylish, and prices are fair so you can try lots of different dishes without spending too much 💴.

Honestly, this is the best vegan izakaya in Kyoto, maybe in all of Japan 💯. If you’re vegan (or even if you’re not), you’ll walk out with a happy heart and a very full belly 😋.

Would you try a fully vegan izakaya in Kyoto? 🍶

📍ヴィーガン居酒屋真さか (Vegan Izakaya Masaka), Kyoto

Alex from Perth/Western Australia

Credit #VeganKyoto #VeganJapan #PlantBasedKyoto #VeganIzakaya #KyotoVeganFood #VeganTravel...