17th – 19th March 2023
Osaka, known for its food offerings, has extremely good for choices for vegans, with a surprising number of vegetarian and even vegan restaurants. We didn’t even scratch the surface, what we did have, was excellent.
Mercy Vegan Factory
https://mercy-vegan-factory.owst.jp/
Japan, 〒542-0066 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Kawarayamachi, 2 Chome−4−15 西側（瓦屋町グランド正面 1階
Mercy Vegan Factory is a fully vegan café in Osaka, just a 15 minute walk from the popular Dotonbori area. They also do delivery. I had the plant-based egg sandwich, and potato salad and Oliver had the kurumafu (according to the lovely blog Tokyo Veglife – ‘fu is wheat protein, and… kurumafu is wheel fu because it’s shaped like a wheel’!). I also got a fruit sandwich to take away. I had seen these as a curious Japanese speciality in none-vegan version and was so excited to find a vegan version. It was white bread, with strawberries in thick soy cream, it was delicious.
Everything was awesome, really fresh and tasty. The plant based egg sandwich was so very realistic as to what I remember egg tasting like, no wonder there is a note on the website that reiterates that there is no egg in it! They also have some gluten-free items, and they do delivery and cakes too.
OKO – Fun Okonomiyaki Bar
1 Chome-15-24 Higashishinsaibashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0083, Japan
On the hunt again for vegan okonomiyaki, this time, Osaka style! Through some internet searching, I came across Oko – Fun Okonomiyaki Bar, it had good reviews and vegan options. In the pouring rain we headed out to find it. Nestled on the first floor, up some stairs, we found this tiny, bustling okonomiyaki bar.
Oko is solely mostly or soley run by the owner, Shiho, who was very nice and accommodating. We waited around an hour to get a table, there were chairs in the entrance, cute signs and even hand warmers to keep people warm. We had arrived at about 9:30pm, it might be less busy if arriving earlier. There are vegan, vegetarian and omnivore options, and the base of the okonomiyaki is gluten free utilising okara instead (soy pulp). The menus were hand drawn, which added a lot of charm to the experience. On the vegan okonomiyaki were options to chooses a variety of vegetables, potatoes, okra, beans, mushrooms and option to add vegan cheese too. There were a variety of side dishes suitable for vegans as well as vegan gyoza, with vegetables stuffed inside. Vegan yakisoba is also on the menu.
We each had okonomiyaki, with a variety of vegetables, and we had the gyoza too. We went for the medium size, and it was so huge, we ended up taking some away in a box. We had gyoza too. The food was great, surroundings were fun, and it was a really unique experience in a unique and quirky place. It was worth the wait and great to have a menu marked specially with vegan items. It was very sweet that Shiho apologised (not necessary in my opinion) and gave us stickers to say thank you for waiting.
Cat & Vegan Cafe ”neu”
6 Chome-17-5 Tanimachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0012, Japan
This fully vegan cat café in Osaka, is an easy walk from the Matsuyamachi metro stop. Nestled down a street, in a little alley is the distinct frontage of Neu cat café. The café rescues cats and fosters them whilst they live in the café before being rehomed. The cats seem very well looked after and are kept in a separate room to where people eat, though with a glass divider so you can see the cats whilst you’re snacking.
I had the Soy Meat Hamburg Steak, and he had the to-fu meat Bolognese, and for after, something I was very excited about, I had the matcha latte, and he had the normal latte, with incredible kitty latte art!
We then went to play with the cats, for ￥1500 each, but with a discount of ￥300 for customers who have eaten in the café. There are many rules ensuring that the cats are respected, and everything is safe, for example children should be accompanied, not to pursue cats if they run away, no running around. Everything is all in the best interest of the cats. This was the first cat café I’ve been in and I’m so glad that it was this way around. They have some lovely merchandise as well, with funds going to the shelter.
The shelter also runs TNR schemes (Trap, Neuter and Rescue), to assist with keeping stray populations under control. There are so many reasons to visit this café, the kitties, the latte art, the good food, good nature and doing something good for the cats of Osaka.
Lawson
2 Chome-17-10 Shimanouchi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0082, Japan
Random item I found in the Lawson by our hotel, of course, they will be in other Lawsons too and I will do a summary of all the goodies I found in all the convenience stores! But here in Osaka, in the Natural Lawson section, is where I found this tofu bar with kelp! Not all tofu bars are vegan friendly, but with the help of a translation app, I was able to determine this one is. It was tasty as a snack.
Follow The Greedy Herbivore on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with my latest blog posts, reviews and ramblings, or follow through WordPress to receive notifications of new posts direct to your inbox.
The Greedy Herbivore 