T's Tantan - T1 — Restaurant in Narita

A Broth Between Worlds: Vegan Ramen at the Edge of Departure

Somewhere between customs and the quiet hum of duty-free perfume counters, I found myself seated at a tiny ramen stall tucked unceremoniously into the corner of a terminal at Narita Airport. Japan—land of exacting tastes and culinary devotion—doesn’t usually offer apologies, nor does it need to. And this bowl didn’t either.

A vegetarian ramen, humble in name, but delivering with the kind of quiet confidence you only find in a country where food is still treated like a craft. No meat, no theatrics—just a steaming bowl of miso-rich broth, layered with umami so deep you almost forget there’s no pork fat lurking beneath the surface.

Noodles had that springy chew—the kind that fights back just enough to remind you they were made with care, not poured from a packet. Slender ribbons of shiitake and enoki mushrooms, gently braised bok choy, and tofu toasted at the edges brought texture to every bite. The broth itself was nearly meditative—infused with garlic, ginger, and a faint whisper of seaweed.

It wasn’t trying to impress tourists. It wasn’t trying at all. It simply was. And in that small, fluorescent-lit corner of the terminal, it was perfect.

No garnish of spectacle, no faux street-style branding. Just a bowl, a spoon, and a brief reprieve from the absurdity of modern travel. A vegetarian dish, in the most ramen-obsessed nation on earth, that didn’t compromise on depth or dignity.

If you’re ever delayed in Narita-Tokyo, skip the pre-packaged sushi tray and overpriced whiskey bar. Find the quiet ramen shop where time softens, and order the vegetarian bowl. It won’t change your life—but for fifteen minutes, it might...

I was so happy to find T's Tan Tan inside Terminal 1. While dining at their Ueno Station location, I noticed a placard indicating that they had two locations at Narita Airport. Thank the vegan gods for allowing them to operate!

They are located inside a small food court inside Terminal 1. Being inside NRT, their menu is limited to a few ramen choices and gyoza. Compared to the T's Tan Tan in the city, the prices here are much higher. My bowl of ramen was close to ¥1800 which is a significant jump but is still worthwhile for an entirely vegan ramen dish at Narita. The sesame ramen was just as delicious as they were in Tokyo and made for the perfect last meal in Japan.

Sadly they don't offer their plant-based rice bowls with soy meat, which would have made the perfect in-flight meal for me on my ZIPAIR flight back home. However, their 12-piece gyoza was enough sustenance on my flight.

If you're vegan or are looking for plant-based options at Narita, don't skip out on T's. They continue to be the best...

When getting out from customs & immigration turn LEFT! On 4F. It’s a hidden gem (accidentally we went all the way right and were sad we didn’t find this place) but when we did, it’s a small food court and all the dishes in this place are vegan! So much fun! I took the Shoyou Ramen, it was fantastic! A little too much oil for me but I was happy to see a lot of options. Synthetic Chicken feels and taste the same to me ( I’m not a fan of chicken and never were, haven’t eaten chicken in 10 years so I might not know the taste anymore). Over wall great great place!...