Vegan
Japanese
Beer/Wine
Take-out
Traditional vegan Japanese restaurant, which specialises in chazuke, a simple Japanese dish made by pouring green tea, dashi, or hot water over cooked rice. Accompany dishes may include stewed shiitake mushrooms, housemade nijiya seaweed, and nama-fu, grilled gluten in a vegan dashi stock. Address in Japanese: 中京区南車屋町２８７ 木屋町会館１階. Open Mon-Sat 5:30pm-9:00pm.
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 14 Jan 2025 by alexsetu
Update business info -
Added by noborio on 08 Nov 2022
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217 Reviews
First Review by pareman
Prachi’s
Points +9
Amazing start to finish - Edit
Everything was amazing, especially the soy skewers
Read moreGuest
MeaganKiely
Points +871
Incredible experience 🫶🏻 - Edit
When in Kyoto you must try this place. Food was absolutely incredible. The course meal was delicious, fresh and tasty food. Could not have been happier with the whole experience. Has been very hard to find places serving good amounts of protein and these ladies did just that! Full of protein and very healthy. Only seats 7 so make sure you’re there right on time (or before). They pumped the good out nice and quickly. Desserts were divine! You must do the course meal 🤤🤤🤤
Read morePros: Fresh & local ingredients , Lots of protein & healthy , Quick service
Cons: Small seating
Guest
isaacalpizar
Points +24
Amazing food and experience - Edit
The obanzai set was amazing! Great taste! They deserve a Michelin star! And the two staff were super friendly! Please come here 😀
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-05-02
Guest
touches
Points +46
Bestes Essen meines Lebens - Edit
Ich denke der Titel sagt schon alles. Das beste Essen das ich jemals gegessen habe.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-04-30
Guest
Mai_l
Points +437
Great experience and great food - Edit
This place is great. The food, the atmoshpere, and the service. That said, we weren’t aware that it seats only 7 people and buy chance got there at the right turnover of groups so we waited “only” 1 hour.
Read moreThere is a wait, be prepared.
We got dishes a la carte and not by the set menu, which ended up being the same price, mostly the same dishes, but we could share and choose our portion sizes.
I will say, as a vegan who is with a non-vegan that for me it was definitely worth the wait. He was also very impressed but not sure if without a vegan by his side he would wait.
Kyoto is a bit challenging in terms of food, all great places have lines. I would say that it’s probably best to arrive right when it opens or about 30 min before closing and be in the last batch
Pros: Amazing food, cozy place
Cons: long wait
Guest
Kwr_
Points +1558
Insanely good - can’t miss it ! - Edit
Definitely on the pricier side but worth every penny. This restaurant has 7 bar seats and is run by two workers, so there may be a lineup! My partner and I shared the large set meal for dinner which allows you to try everything on the menu. It was an unforgettable experience! We also got a non alcoholic yuzu drink which was fantastic! Highly recommend
Read moreGuest
SKCBrowners
Points +72
The other reviews say it all. - Edit
A must experience.
Read moreYou can’t book this place, we got there at 5 and were the first people in the queue. The people who turned up at 5.30 were waiting for the first sitting to finish which was about an hour and the queue was long at that point.
Beware you have to book nearly all vegan places in Kyoto, so it’s worth working your day around getting here early.
Pros: Yuzu Tofu, Fake meat skewers, Vibe and the people (and plum wine)
Cons: That everywhere isn’t like this!
Guest
haubi66
Points +305
Flavorful a* f* - Edit
Plain and simple: the best vegan restaurant in town. I've never felt so much flavours Thank you!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-04-26
Pros: Food, FOOD!, Foooooood
Guest
Linivini
Points +74
What an experience! - Edit
We had to wait quite a while, I think it was about 1,5 hours, but it was worth every minute! You can choose between two menues and à la carte. Especially the yakitori were amazing.
Read moreGuest
Seoulmate
Points +12
Lovely experience - Edit
We walked past by chance and didn’t want to miss out. The hot pot was so delicious and the owner so lovely. This was such a good experience. The alcohol-free drinks were really good as well. An absolute gem.
Read moreGuest
Tsukimi
Points +5856
Authentic Japanese experience! - Edit
Authentic Japanese food and atmosphere!
Read morePlaces like this, in izakaya style, which serve vegan food, are still very rare in Japan. Vegan cafes/restaurants are often western style places, that’s why I love this concept!
The food and service are top-notch. You should go early, especially in tourist peak seasons like spring and autumn.
Recently, they started hot pot for lunch! 😋
Updated from previous review on 2023-07-18
Guest
jennyc32
Points +4220
Creative and Impressive - Edit
We knew in advance that this place only has 7 seats, so we plotted to arrive early to ensure we got seated right away at opening time. We arrived at 5.05pm and were the first in the queue. By 5.20pm, there were more than 7 people in the queue, meaning that some of those people would be waiting quite some time to get in. The restaurant opened promptly at 5.30. Of the 7 of us in the first seating, 2 did not get the set menu and they left after about 45 minutes. Our group of 3 left after 1 hour, and the other 2 diners were still eating. So it can be a long wait.
Read moreWe all ordered the nijiya course - it's also possible to get the large nijiya course or to pick and choose what you want from the menu. We were happy to try a bit of everything. Each round of food arrives quite quickly, but we didn't feel rushed.
To start, we were served yuzu tofu and yuba skin. The yuzu tofu was the star of the show here, the sauce was so zingy and refreshing. The soy meat yakitori came next. I thought it was fantastic, really tender and tasty. My partner thought it was just standard mock meat though. Next came two dumplings, which were fine but not remarkable.
The obanzai assortment was next, which was five little dishes. We all enjoyed the deep fried tofu, braised aubergine, and candied yams (which were not very sweet). Nobody was too dazzled by the radish, which was a bit bland, and I really disliked the taste of the mustard greens, but my companions loved them.
Next we received the soy meat yakiniku, which we all agreed this time was just standard soy meat. It was a bit chewier and tougher than I would have liked. I'm not familiar with the original dish though. The osuimono soup was the only real dud of the meal for us, with all three of us agreeing it was quite bland and insipid. The grilled miso rice balls were good fun - plenty of rice to ensure we were full, and tasty miso on top. The grilling left it with a slightly bitter taste to me, but my partner thought it was perfect.
We finished with chocolate yokan, which was really decadent and rich.
The restaurant is absolutely tiny and it's really impressive how the two women prepare all the dishes in such a small space. The menu is creative, with some dishes that were totally new to me and some I was eager to try veganised. I really admire what they're doing.
That said, the seasoning here and there could be a little better. If I'd had to wait an hour I think I'd have been a bit underwhelmed.
Guest
m@earthville
Points +10235
Must-try! Excellent food, intimate experience, farm-to-table - Edit
Even in Kyoto, a place with an abundance of great plant-based food, Nijiya stands out as exceptional. As others here have reported, the food and service are both very special.
Read moreBeing a seven-seat izakaya, intimacy is built into the experience: you're essentially sharing a table with the cooks and the guests. And, in this case, that's a big plus, because the cooks are so warm, friendly, and gracious. (English is spoken.)
The traditional way to enjoy an Izakaya (which is recommendable here) is to start with subtler dishes like the gyoza (dumplings) and the obanzai sets, and then move to the richer flavors and textures (such as the yakitori, which is uncommonly good here), and finally fill up with one or more of the rice dishes (here, this means either rice balls with a lovely miso spice or various preparations of chazuke). If you have an appetite, you'll need to order several dishes, and one usually orders them gradually rather than all at once. It seems common for guests here to wind up trying at least half of the menu in one sitting, which is a rewarding experience.
If it’s your first visit, we’d recommend going for the full Nijiya set so you get to try almost everything.
Highly recommended. Enjoy!
Updated from previous review on 2024-01-08
Guest
KAGoldberg
Points +86
Fantastic place - Edit
We tried a number of things. All delicious. The place is tiny—and popular! Most of all, the chefs were so nice and hospitable.
Read moreGuest
basyl
Points +20
Best meal on our Japan trip! - Edit
This was the best meal we had during our Japan trip. Highly recommend getting the full course. Everything was delicious, unique, and special. The staff were so warm. Well priced (at least, coming from USD).
Read moreIf there’s a line, it’s worth the wait.
Pros: Variety, Quality, Interior (tight quarters)
Guest
JamesTee1
Points +42
Once in a lifetime - Edit
Super. We arrived at 530pm and were 2nd/3rd in the queue, a bit cold but whatever. Served at 630pm (guests have 1hr). The Japanese staff cook in front of you and the food and courses (9 I think) keep coming. Amazing, plentiful food at a fair price. Fantastic intimate atmosphere with little touches and really feel involved in the whole process. We strongly insist you make the effort to come here (tip: my wife took a load of photos of the nearby stunning river (10 seconds) while we queued).
Read morePros: Food, Culinary experience, Intimacy
Cons: Queue, Cold, Eyes staring at you (don't look back haha)
Guest
deidden
Points +146
Great Izakaya experience - Edit
Very small restaurant (7 seater), so it is best to arrive early to guarantee yourself a seat. You can select individual items, but it is generally recommended to go with the set menu for the full experience.
Read moreThe highlights include the exquisite yakitori and the yakiniku. Some of the items could have been more flavourful, such as the dumplings and the obanzai.
Updated from previous review on 2025-04-06
Pros: Everything is vegan
Cons: Expensive, Some items are a bit disappointing
Guest
MCSchuetz
Points +306
Amazing food - Edit
Great spot for vegans in Kyoto!
Read moreReally tasty!
Only note that they have limited seating (7 seats), so you probably have to wait for some time. But it's worth it!
Pros: Great food!, traditional cuisine
Cons: really small place, likely long waiting time
Guest
KATIE H
Points +363
Amazing experience- we went twice - Edit
Honestly one of the best meals I’ve had. Maybe it was the wonder of so much coming out of a tiny space. But it was most definitely delicious.
Read moreWe went for the small set and added the cheesecake to try it all.
We didn’t think we’d get chance to come back, but after a good walk the next day all we could think about was that meal. So we lined up again. Be prepared to wait. But very worth it.
Inside is small (very small) so go minimally.
Pros: Incredible work , So many dishes, Flavour, balance and texture were incredible
Cons: The line
Guest
Jessnavit
Points +556
The best vegan restaurant in Kyoto - Edit
Love de izakaya, the food and drinks are amazing
Read moreGuest
mnechmad
Points +24
Phenomenal Authentic Izakaya - Edit
This place is amazing! Highly recommend. Their homemade miso is the best I’ve had (you can buy a jar of it to go). There are only 7 seats and a line out the door for dinner. I’d recommend getting there at 5:15 to secure a spot at 5:30.
Read morePros: Great service, Amazing food, Pleasant music/intimate ambiance
Guest
verbivore
Points +66
So cute, so delicious! - Edit
Had the delicious vegan hotpot lunch for two. Such a fun process, it cooks right in front of you. Very friendly owner as well. There was no wait when we showed up at noon (when it opened) but apparently sometimes there is a wait. I'll tell you, it is worth it!!
Read morePros: Ethics, Food, Friendly staff
Guest
DonovanJames
Points +32
Delicious all vegan hot pot restaurant, highly recommend! - Edit
Absolutely delicious! One of a kind hot pot experience, all vegan. Delicious homemade fermented miso and farm fresh ingredients. Highly recommend!!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-03-23
Guest
Happytraveller
Points +265
A wonderful experience! - Edit
What an amazing experience! This is a tiny Izakaya with seven seats only. It is a cozy, comfortable, welcoming space. We had the soy meat skewers and dumplings and both were amazing. One of our best meals in Japan. The prices were reasonable. The atmosphere makes it special too!
Read morePros: Cozy space, Beautiful presentation, Japanese style food
Guest
Diego89
Points +16
A little corner of paradise - Edit
Sublime dishes, I was extremely satisfied. A small place immersed in the chaos of Kyoto. There time stops and you can savor every dish
Read moreGuest
wuski
Points +411
Must go - Edit
Recommend trying to go early as there was quite a line when we went. We got really lucky and only had to wait about 30-40 minutes, but there were people who had to wait well over an hour. The food was worth it to us. Some of the best vegan meat we’ve ever had (could’ve eaten a million skewers). It was a fun experience watching the food get made and served up to the other diners. Only 7 seats and they try to limit people to an hour to help with the wait
Read moreGuest
taiwanesetexan
Points +11495
Fresh and filling - Edit
I went straight to this restaurant after getting off the train from Osaka to Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station. It’s tiny, but I was the first customer of the day in this seven-person bar counter restaurant, which somehow still has a restroom in it. Both staff members were extremely accommodating to English speakers and humored me and my broken Japanese. For lunch, they only offer a nabe (hot pot) set menu, which is ¥3,900 for one and ¥4,900 for two. The only customization allowed is the addition of drinks. It comes with a big pot of organic vegetables grown on the owner’s family farm, a piece of fried tofu, shabu mochi, udon noodles, miso paste that has been aged for three years, ponzu sauce, ichimi (chili pepper), and yuzu sorbet. I chatted with two different couples who came in after me, in English (from Italy and France) and in Mandarin Chinese (from Taiwan). It was a lovely experience. Credit cards accepted, and free wifi available. Would love to return for dinner, but beware of the long lines!
Read moreGuest
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