Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo’s busiest districts — packed with shopping, transport hubs, and constant movement. But beyond the crowds, it’s also surprisingly good for casual vegan-friendly food finds.
On this visit, I ended up having one of those perfectly balanced days: a quick ramen stop inside the station, another vegan-friendly option nearby, and a quiet walk through a nearby garden.
What I liked most was the contrast. It didn’t feel like just a food hunt — it felt like a relaxed, well-rounded day.
T’s Tantan: A Go-To Vegan Ramen Spot
T’s Tantan is one of the most well-known fully vegan ramen shops in Japan. Located inside JR Ikebukuro Station, it’s incredibly convenient — though you’ll need a train ticket to access it if you’re not travelling.
T’s TanTan Ikebukuro Station
T’s Tantan is one of the most well-known fully vegan ramen shops in Japan. There are multiple locations across Tokyo and beyond, including:
- Ikebukuro Station (inside JR gates)
- Jiyugaoka Station
- Tokyo Station
- Ueno Station
- Narita Airport
- Haneda Airport
There’s also a larger restaurant in Jiyugaoka, which offers a wider menu beyond ramen.
I’ve visited many times, and it’s always reliable. The food is not only tasty but also feels lighter and more balanced than typical ramen, as it’s made without MSG. The menu also changes slightly with the seasons, which keeps things interesting.
What I ordered
This time, I tried the Cold Setouchi Lemon Shoyu Ramen with T’s Tantan special dashi soup as part of a set.
You can choose between ordering just the ramen or a set meal, and also select either regular wheat noodles or konnyaku (konjac) noodles. We both chose the set.
Setouchi lemons come from the Seto Inland Sea region in western Japan, known for its mild climate and long hours of sunshine. The lemons are fragrant, thin-skinned, and have a well-balanced flavour that works beautifully in lighter dishes.
Limited Seasonal Menu: Cold Setouchi Lemon Shoyu Ramen Set – Konnyaku Noodle ( 1600 Yen )
My thoughts
I’ve had their signature tantan noodles many times, so I wanted to try something different.
The lemon ramen was refreshing and light, especially for warmer weather. However, because I chose konnyaku noodles, it felt a bit too light for me.
If I’m being honest, the classic tantan ramen is still the standout, and I’d go back to that next time.
My husband ordered the Golden Sesame Tantan Ramen with regular wheat noodles — and that confirmed it. It was creamy, rich, and much more satisfying overall.
Golden Sesame Tantan Ramen ( 1450 Yen)
Kyushu Jangara: A Vegan Option in a Classic Ramen Chain
Kyushu Jangara is known for its Kyushu-style ramen, particularly its mild and creamy tonkotsu broths.
It’s not a vegan restaurant, but it stood out for offering a plant-based option — something that helps make traditional ramen shops more accessible.
Kyushu Jangara Ikebukuro Station
What I tried
At the time of my visit, there was one vegan option available: a yuzu-flavoured vegan salt ramen I ordered it with vegan chashu and a few add-ons.
Yuzu-Flavoured Vegan Salt Ramen with Chasyu Add Ons (1550 Yen)
Customisation & toppings
One thing I appreciated was the level of customisation. Even for the vegan ramen, there were a few add-ons available, including vegan chashu, along with classic Hakata-style toppings like spicy takana and pickled ginger.
Spicy Takana and Pickled Ginger
They also offer the option to adjust your bowl to suit Buddhist vegetarian preferences, meaning you can request the removal of the “five pungent vegetables” (typically garlic, onion, leek, chives, and shallots). This is a thoughtful touch, especially in a setting where these ingredients are usually a key part of the flavour.
My thoughts
I appreciated that they had a vegan option, but the bowl itself wasn’t particularly memorable for me. The yuzu flavour was light, and the overall dish lacked the depth I usually look for in ramen.
I did like that they offered classic Hakata-style toppings like spicy takana and pickled ginger. However, since this wasn’t a tonkotsu-style broth, those toppings didn’t quite match the flavour profile.
It’s also worth noting that this specific vegan option no longer appears on their current menu. Their plant-based offerings now seem to focus more on Vegan Shoyu and Vegan Black Garlic Oil ramen. I appreciated that Kyushu Jangara offered a vegan option, although the yuzu-flavoured vegan salt ramen I tried was not especially memorable for me. It also seems to have disappeared from the current menu. Vegan Bistro Jangara is worth knowing about too.
While the Ikebukuro branch has now closed, Kyushu Jangara still has several locations across Tokyo, including areas like Harajuku, Akihabara, and Ginza. Vegan options can vary by branch, so it’s worth checking the menu in advance if you’re specifically looking for plant-based ramen.
A Quiet Break at Mejiro Garden
If you feel like slowing down after ramen, Mejiro Garden is a lovely place to visit nearby.
This small Japanese-style garden features a pond, seasonal plants, and a simple walking path, along with a calm teahouse atmosphere. It’s a peaceful contrast to the busy station area — and it’s free to enter.
The walk there is part of the experience. As you move away from Ikebukuro Station, the streets gradually become quieter, with a more local and relaxed feel.
Mejiro Garden near Ikebukuro Station – free entry!
Final Thoughts
What I liked most about this Ikebukuro outing was the balance.
A quick and satisfying meal at T’s Tantan, a vegan-friendly (if slightly underwhelming) experience at Kyushu Jangara, and then a quiet moment at Mejiro Garden.
Even though Kyushu Jangara’s Ikebukuro branch has since closed, it still reflects what the vegan ramen scene was like at the time.
Today, T’s Tantan remains one of the easiest and most reliable vegan ramen options in Ikebukuro — and pairing it with a short garden walk makes for a simple but well-rounded day.
Check out my Instagram here for my experience!
If you’re planning a visit, here are a few helpful details:
- T’s Tantan (multiple locations including Ikebukuro Station, Jiyugaoka Station, Tokyo Station, Ueno, Narita Airport, Haneda Airport). They also have a full restaurant-style location in Jiyugaoka, which is a proper sit-down restaurant offering a wider menu beyond ramen.
Website: https://ts-restaurant.jp/tantan/
- Kyushu Jangara (Ikebukuro branch now closed; other locations in Harajuku, Akihabara, Ginza) Website: https://kyushujangara.co.jp/en/top/
- Mejiro Garden (short walk from Ikebukuro, free entry)
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