Where to Eat Vegetarian Food in Kumamoto

Oct 30, 2023

Where to Eat Vegetarian Food in Kumamoto

In many parts of the world, it can be difficult to find vegetarian options — but Kumamoto is not one of them. Throughout the city, you’ll find a wide variety of vegetarian-friendly restaurants serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Purely Restaurant

Located in a transformed 140-year-old home, Purely Restaurant has a great atmosphere as well as delicious food. Every month, it serves a new vegetarian lunch. All the vegetables are local and the rice is organic. If you reserve in advance, you can also request a vegan miso soup with your lunch. Later in the day, the café is open, where you can purchase natural foods to take home.

Where: 15 Nakatoujinmachi, Chuo Ward (map)

Website: purely-restaurant.com/en/
Open Hours: Friday to Sunday
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Café: 2:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m.

Cafe Pony

For a fully vegan menu, head to Cafe Pony. This small spot just outside downtown Kumamoto serves mostly Japanese food, although it is particularly well known for its tasty hamburgers.

Where: 12-13-6 Juzenji, Minami Ward (map)

Website: pony-kumamoto.jp/cafe-pony
Open Hours: Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday to Friday (Saturdays available for bookings only)

Piccolina

At Piccolina, the chefs will prepare you a custom meal using whatever ingredients the restaurant has available that day. It’s always possible to ask for something vegetarian — the staff speak English and will understand your request. In addition to your main dish, you’ll receive bread, soup, salad, pasta, and coffee.

Where: South Five Second Building, 1F, 5-18 Minamitsuboimachi, Chuo Ward (map)
Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Dinner: 6:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m.

Hibari Kitchen

As a macrobiotic restaurant, Hibari Kitchen has mostly a vegan menu (the exception being that some dishes contain honey). You’ll find great options for a light meal or snack, including bento, onigiri, and soup.

Where: 2-4-20 Sadohara, Higashi-ku, Higashi Ward (map)
Open Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday to Saturday

333/BaBaBa

Although 333/BaBaBa serves all kinds of Asian cuisine, it specializes in Vietnamese and Thai dishes. If you let the restaurant know beforehand, you can receive a full vegetarian dinner. In the past, the restaurant also served lunch and may do so again the future.

Where: 1F, Kusaba Mansion, 4-5, Kusabamachi, Chuo Ward (map)
Open Hours: 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday to Sunday

Soshoku Tsune

Specialists in shojin ryori Buddhist cuisine, Soshoku Tsune offers a variety of dishes, all of which are free from animal products. Enjoy large plates of tofu and vegetables flavored with five different pungent roots. Drop in for dinner or make a reservation for lunch (the restaurant requires at least one day’s notice).

Where: 6-4 Minamitsuboimachi, Chuo Ward (map)
Open Hours: Monday to Sunday
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Dinner 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m

Although there are only a few dedicated vegetarian restaurants in Kumamoto, many have options on their menu. If you’ll be in Kumamoto for a while, there’s enough choice to keep things interesting.

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