Tokyo’s 5 Best Vegan Dessert Spots

Whether you are vegan, have food allergies, or are looking for a lighter option, these vegan desserts are sure to knock your socks off!

As winter approaches, the colder temperatures and gray skies make you want to pull out your favorite jacket, grab a friend, and spend the afternoon chatting in a cute cafe over a hot cup of coffee and an indulgent sweet treat. While Tokyo certainly does not lack adorable coffee shops and patisseries, it can be tough for vegans and those with dairy or egg allergies to satisfy their cravings.

But fear not! With over eight years of experience trawling Japan’s capital for vegan delicacies, I have discovered a host of veggie-friendly places that will thrill any sweet tooth looking for a fix. Starting from relatively healthy options and getting progressively decadent, these five spots are my go-tos for a sugary treat.

1. KO-SO Cafe’: Health-nut friendly

 

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Just a short walk away from Ebisu Station, this restaurant uses live enzymes to give all its dishes a healthy boost and does not use any animal products or white sugar. The main draw here is the “detox pancakes,” which also happen to be gluten-free. Made with buckwheat and topped with soy whip and fruit, these pancakes are tasty and satisfying—without giving you a sugar rush.

If you want to spoil yourself a little, the colorful vegan pancakes or chocolate-banana versions are slightly more indulgent, while still remaining healthy and light.

Where: 3-25-3 Higashi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Business hours: Daily, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m. (weekdays), 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. (weekends)

2. Go Muffins Go!: A small indulgence

 

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Muffins in Japan are often disappointingly small, dry, and expensive, which is why Go Muffins Go’s creations are such a joy. The signature baked goods are American-sized and perfectly moist, with seasonal flavors that change daily. A few personal favorites are the pumpkin chai, raspberry, dark chocolate, and any variety that includes pears. Besides sweet concoctions, they also have some creative savory options, including a genius combination of sake lees and tomato that makes for a perfectly indulgent brunch in the city. 

In addition to the two main shops in Ogikubo and Shibuya, you can also find these muffins at the Garden House Cafe’ inside Tokyo Station, perfect if you need to pick up a snack before hopping on the bullet train.

Where: Ogikubo: Ogawa Bldg. 2F, 4-2-3 Momoi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo | Shibuya: Ono Bono 2F, 42-2, Kamiyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Business hours: Ogikubo: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Thu), 12 p.m.-5 p.m. (Sun) | Shibuya: 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. (Fri, Sat)

3. Gelateria Sincerita: Feeling La Dolce Vita

 

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Mandarin and black cherry gelato 🍨 Who knew happiness only cost ¥500 yen? 😍 • 🚇:Asagaya Station 🌱: only a few fruit flavors are vegan, if you can’t read Japanese ask the staff for help

A post shared by Chiara 💚Tokyo Vegan Guide💚 (@tokyoveganguide) on Jun 26, 2018 at 4:56am PDT

Even among Italians, I am a bit of a gelato snob, so you know that this very Instagenic little gelateria is the real deal. During the summer I stop by at least once a week … and, to be honest, am a regular customer the rest of the year too. 

Fresh fruit is essential for crafting top-class gelato, so the owner works directly with farmers all around Japan to get crates of local seasonal fruit, that are transformed into light, pillowy ice cream. Unfortunately, not all the flavors are vegan, but there are usually three or four sorbet varieties that are vegan-friendly. If you can’t read Japanese, ask the staff to point out the flavors made without milk.

Where: 1-43-7, Asagayakita, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
Business hours: Daily, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

4. Good Town Doughnuts: Classics never die

 

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The satisfaction of biting into an American-style, fat, perfectly-glazed doughnut is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face. Good Town is a great omni place, as they offer a selection of both regular and vegan pastries. The old-fashioned fried doughnuts are double-glazed, and you can really taste the fruit in the Sicilian lemon and rich raspberry doughnuts. Get there early to grab a seat, sip an almond milk latte, and chomp your way through the delectable Uji matcha, mango, or even plain rings of sweet, doughy joy.

Not a big fan of doughnuts? The small bakery next door offers vegan cinnamon rolls and other freshly made baked goods.

Where: 6-12-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Business hours: Daily, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

5. Wired Bonbon: YOLO

If you have ever gazed with envy at a towering, perfectly layered Japanese-style parfait, that is now a thing of the past. Nestled on the sixth floor of the Lumine 1 building in Shinjuku, the entire dessert menu at Wired Bonbon is vegan (and also has a few gluten-free options). Most people come to try the tall, colorful parfaits, made with surprisingly luscious soy cream. 

Like most sweets shops in Japan the offerings change seasonally, but the apple caramel and Mont Blanc chestnut-filled parfaits are two wonderful winter treats. If you plan to go on a weekend, be sure to get there early as this popular joint can run out of vegan ice cream by the early afternoon. 

Where: Lumine 1 Bldg. 6F, 1-1-5 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Business hours: Daily, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

Honorable Mentions

 

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A few more desserts that deserve honorable mentions are the strawberry shortcake and Mont Blanc roll cake (and white tablecloth service) at snazzy Chaya Macrobe in Shinjuku, Wanokashi Meguri’s traditional wagashi sweets, and the wonderful Healthy Tokyo shop in Haneda airport, for sweet snacks on the go.

Happy eating to my fellow plant-based foodies, and share your own favorite vegan treats in the comments!