Image: Kasey Furutani / Time Out Magazine
Tokyo’s first ever 100% vegan convenience store has launched in Asakusa to serve exclusive plant-based foods and merchandise.
Vegan Store opened its doors in Asakusa on December 3 becoming Tokyo’s first grocery store to cater to vegans, vegetarians and anyone looking to eat healthy and delicious plant-based food.
The convenience store is only a few minutes away from Tokyo’s most famous temple Senso-ji and minutes away from Tokyo’s express and subway stations.
The store promises to be a Mecca for vegan fare as it offers certified vegan-friendly and organic hot food, rice balls, vegan meats, non-dairy milk, cheese, and yogurt, gluten -free snacks, and self-care items.
It will also sell vegan versions of Japanese convenience store staples like Japanese style vegan curry roux, Vegan dashi, onigiri (stuffed rice balls), soy version of cream stew, or kara-age (fried chicken).
Vegan Restaurant
Vegan Store also houses a casual restaurant serving vegan and gluten-free dishes made from organic vegetables. The meals’ prices ranging from ¥500 to ¥3,000 (US$4.60-US$27.80) are affordable and easy on the pocket.
While veganism is rapidly gaining inroads in the food sector around the world, Japan is still new to the plant-based concept as its cuisine still relies heavily on fish, poultry and eggs.
However, with Tokyo hosting the Summer Olympics next year, Japanese lawmakers are deliberating on how to make food choices more vegan friendly.
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