Masaka (Vegan Izakaya) — Restaurant in Tokyo

Masaka in Shibuya is an all-vegan Chinese restaurant that really impressed me. I went with a couple of friends, and we all enjoyed everything we ordered. The menu is packed with variety, and every dish felt intentional and satisfying.

The sweet and sour shrimp was bold and saucy, with onions on top for extra crunch. The shrimp itself had a flavor and texture that reminded me of mushrooms, which worked surprisingly well with the sweet and tangy sauce. It was one of the standouts at the table, and I’d definitely order it again.

The vegan karaage was another highlight. It had a texture that reminded me of octopus—chewy but not tough, with a good bite to it. The seasoning on the outside was flavorful without being greasy, making it a fun plate to share.

The mapo tofu brought deep, rich flavors with soft, silky tofu cubes soaking up all that spicy, savory sauce. It had that comforting balance of heat and depth that makes mapo tofu such a classic, and Masaka delivered it really well in a fully vegan version.

The dumplings were pan-fried just right—crispy on the bottom, soft on top, and filled with a savory vegan mix. They weren’t overly oily, and they carried a nice balance of flavor that paired perfectly with a splash of soy sauce.

For sides, we had the garlic smashed cucumbers, which were light, crisp, and refreshing, and a plate of seasoned potatoes, which were simple but really addictive. Both added contrast to the richer mains and rounded out the meal.

To drink, I had a cold Canada Dry ginger ale in the glass bottle, which was a small detail but hit perfectly alongside the bold flavors of the food.

Overall, Masaka in Shibuya is worth checking out if you’re looking for vegan food in Tokyo that doesn’t feel like a compromise. The flavors stand strong on their own, and the variety makes it easy to share a table full of different dishes. From the mushroom-like shrimp to the chewy karaage, crispy dumplings, and spicy mapo tofu, everything worked. Going with friends made it even better, and I’d gladly come back the next time...

We loved our meal at Masaka! The good: all the food we got! Two kinds of karaage (almost was the texture of fish on the inside? Idk though, been vegan for almost a decade), spring rolls, salad, mapo tofu, and rice set (we split 3 ways, could go 2 ways if you’re really hungry). My husband enjoyed the sake he got too! Great prices! The confusing: when we arrived 2 h before close, they had a sign out stating that no more customers could be taken that evening. We even double checked with a member of staff who confirmed. I also couldn’t figure out how to make a reservation. We were so sad because I had planned to go to restaurant all trip and it was our last chance to do so! We dejectedly tried to make a plan b, circled the food court once or twice, and then 20 min after we had first arrived the sign had been flipped and they were taking customers again and we were seated almost immediately!! So, I guess if this happens to you and there is plenty of time before close and you really want to eat here, stick around and see?? I was super grateful! The unfortunate: a few dishes were sold out when we went like the cucumbers and another vegetable which I was sad about because I was craving vegetables!! Not a big deal though. Overall, an amazing option for vegans in Tokyo and a nice switch up from ramen and curry if you want to try something else...

They told us our order didn't go through so must have a problem with the order system.

We received half our order after 15 minutes. After waiting 35 minutes from time of order, the other food hadn't arrived. We told the waitress we were missing half our order and asked if it would be coming soon. She came back around 5 minutes later and told us the order hadn't gone through (despite showing her it had on the smartphone). We tried to cancel it as we had to leave soon and wouldn't have time to enjoy/finish the food. We weren't allowed to cancel it, instead they told us we could take it in a box. I didn't want to carry food around Tokyo all day in the hot and humid weather as it didn't seem safe. (We had an appointment so I wouldn't have time to eat it for a while if we took it 持ち帰り.)

Despite this, we still had to pay full price for food I couldn't finish due to their mistake. We asked for some kind of discount/refund to compensate but were refused.

I felt the staff didn't seem to care that I had to waste money on food I couldn't eat due to a restaurant mistake which wasn't my fault. I understand mistakes happen but the staff didn't seem to care or offer anything to compensate. After living in Tokyo 2 years I've never experienced this kind of attitude...