The Ultimate Vegan Fukuoka Guide of 2024
When I originally posted this guide, it was before the pandemic, and unfortunately in 2024 there have been many changes to the Fukuoka food scene over the past few years. However, with increased tourism the demand for more flexibility in the culinary sphere has increased as well, and there are many newcomers to the vegan Fukuoka community. I’m, happy to share the updated list with you today!
NEW! Sonu Sonu
A stylish restaurant a short walk from Tenjin, this is one of the few dedicated vegetarian/vegan restaurants in all of the city, and they offer a wide range of items from vegan burgers, to pizza, to raw vegan cakes and desserts. If you’re only in the city for a short amount of time and are looking for a no-fuss and easy solution, this is a great option that is guaranteed to make every vegan happy.
Rota Cafe And Dining
Another 100% dedicated vegan and macrobiotic restaurant in Fukuoka City. The new location is in Hirao, which is less central and not as easily accessible, but provides many Japanese staples such as curry, set lunches with rice balls and miso soup, with soy based sweets and desserts.
Takamiya Hanten
They’re a Tawainese-Chinese restaurant serving up all the favorites, traditional AND veggie-friendly. With the shark fin and other dishes such as pig feet, it’s clearly not a vegan restaurant, but they can make pretty much anything on the menu vegan. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve been here too. My favorites are the gyoza, black sesame tan tan noodles, and the ever popular mapo tofu.
NICE Plant Based Cafe
NICE is a burger and “nice cream” shop in Kego, and it really lives up to that name. These are hands down the best veggie burgers in Fukuoka! According to the staff, the avocado burger is quite popular, but they also have teriyaki, classic burgers, and even a burger covered in ratatouille! The dessert menu is also large and features frozen dessert bowls with banana and soy milk “nice cream.”
Macrobiotic Cafe Evah Dining
Evah Dining is a bit of a Fukuoka chain — They have three or four bento shops/delis and one sit-down cafe in Riverain Mall near Nakasu Kawabata subway station. The cafe is a bit inconvenient considering they basically serve the same dishes as the bento shops but fresh and with soup. The delis, on the other hand, are lifesavers in a pinch. Located in both Hakata and Tenjin Station, as well as the basement of the department store Iwataya in Tenjin, they make getting a quick vegan, macrobiotic lunch super simple.
Chandan Cafe
Chandan is a cute little cafe located near Fujisaki Station on the Airport subway line. They specialize in homemade bread, raw sweets, and smoothies. The bread is soft and comes in a variety of flavors (as an avid bread lover, this is a huge selling point for me!) They also usually have a lunch plate with a salad, some sides, and of course bread! It's a bit far from the city center, but in Fukuoka — everything is close! Make a day out of visiting Fujisaki and then heading down to Momochi Beach.
NEW! Papa’s Puff Stand
A small kiosk on the corner of Kego, Papa’s Puff Stand serves fresh made-to-order bubble waffles to go. Come hungry, the waffles are bigger than you’d expect! Seasonal flavors, soy-based ice cream, and various sweet drinks are on the menu as well, making this a great stop if you happen to be walking from Tenjin or Daimyo to Ohori and are wanting a little snack for the trek!
TOFFEE PARK Soy Milk Cafe
Located in a prime location downtown along the river, TOFFEE (Tofu + Coffee) combines soymilk and tofu from local tofu vendor Mihara Tofu-Ten, and sells coffee, lattes, and various soy-based snacks.
With open-air seating along the riverside, this is a pleasant place to visit on a clear sunny day, but also takes on a different vibe at night time when all the surrounding businesses have lit up. Some products contain milk, but are indicated as so on the menu! When in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask.
NEW! And S Organic
A stylish, bright and cozy interior, and clean organic ingredients - And S Organic is a popular choice in the Yakuin area for those looking to eat healthy whether they’re vegan or not. The menu clearly labels their vegan menu items, with the most popular being the vegan taco rice dish - a balance of diced organic veggies and spiced soy meat.
NEW! BUGORO All Vegan
Located in the winding backstreets of the trendy Ropponmatsu neighborhood, this one-woman shop has only three seats and reservations are strongly recommended. A bit more pricey than other vegan restaurants in the city, but wildly popular amongst the vegans who visit, BUGORO may be the only place in ramen-central Fukuoka city where vegans can enjoy a bowl for themselves. The sets come with vegan sweets and a drink as well.
NEW! Lotus Palace (Daimyo Garden City)
In the heart of Daimyo, towering over the district, the Ritz Carlton is Fukuoka’s new and shiny luxury hotel, and with it comes a handful of brand new high-class stylish restaurants geared to the luxury traveler. Lotus Palace may be the only vegan friendly Vietnamese restaurant in the city, and what’s more, they offer vegan afternoon tea sets as well! For a nice afternoon out, or a celebration among friends, this is another spot worth checking out.
Hakata Hiiragi Taiyaki
Japanese sweets (wagashi) are often rather vegetarian/vegan friendly, but the famous Taiyaki fish cake filled with hot red bean paste can sometimes be made with egg and milk. At Hakata Hiiragi, the original Japanese Taiyaki is both egg and dairy free. Depending on the season, they may have other vegan-friendly snacks available as well, but be aware that the ice cream they serve with their summer taiyaki does have dairy in it.
Fortune Kitchen
Another “allergen-free” patissiere that specializes in vegan cakes! These can be reserved in advance for a special day, or smaller cakes can be picked up “to-go” on the day. Gluten-free cakes can also be made, if requested in advance! Check the website for details and pricing (Japanese only.)
Kafe Toruko
A Turkish Cafe a short walk from Ohori Park in the stylish Ropponmatsu area, Kafe Toruko has a vegan lunch set, and a vegan pita sandwich available for takeaway! Stop by and hang out in the cool turkish-style interior, or even try their special coffee fortune telling!
There are a lot of cool backstreets in this area to explore as well, so drop by for lunch and have fun walking around and exploring this trendy residential neighborhood (tons of hidden cafes here!) while you’re at it.
NEW! Bills Fukuoka
Although it is a foreign chain restaurant, this is one that I find to be extremely reliable in terms of consistency, quality and service, and recommend to many visitors to Fukuoka City. Known for its extensive brunch menu, ricotta cheese pancakes, and delicious drinks, Bills is also English friendly and extremely flexible with dietary restrictions. Veggie grain bowls, chia seed pudding, avocado toast, and soy milk lattes are almost always on the menu, with seasonal offerings coming and going as well.
Canezees Donuts
A popular local donut stand with several purchase points throughout the city! Canezee’s doughnuts are glazed (non-vegan) or baked (vegan & gluten free) and can be purchased either at their original shop — a short walk from Ohashi Station, or in the city at their Imaizumi Cafe location (sit down with a black coffee!). You may also find the donuts at Honey Coffee, Reganet, or Bon Repasu in Ropponmatsu. The baked donuts last a few days in their packaging, so pick up a few when you can and you’ll always have a vegan/gluten-free snack handy during your travels!
Hiruneko (Itoshima City)
Originally located in the city, Hiruneko has re-opened in Itoshima as of June 2020. With a 100% vegan menu that features pasta, burgers, and home-made sweets, this cozy cafe is a safe haven for vegans making the trip out to Fukuoka’s famous Futamigaura Shrine and Palm Beach area in the warmer months. Check their Instagram for the latest updates regarding operating hours and holidays - as the schedule can change quickly due to personal circumstance. A one minute walk from Ikisan station along the Chikuhi line, this location is accessible by train if coming from the city!
Funadeya (Koga City)
Although it is a bit of a trek out of Fukuoka City to visit Funadeya, it is by far one of the most popular vegan restaurants in the prefecture. Accessible by train from Hakata, Funadeya is a short walk from Shishibu Station, and is a great half-day trip out of Fukuoka, Combine it with a trip to the nearby seaside, or make a day of exploring the countryside of Fukuoka Prefecture. The portions are big and the plates are very colorful here, so you will not be disappointed!
NEW! 106 South Indian
A popular choice in downtown Tenjin, 106 South Indian is the choice for anyone craving a vegan meal with fragrance and a bit of a spicy kick. The “Meals” set can be made vegan friendly, the rice flour dosa come with masala potato, mango and tomato chutney, and Daal chickpea curry is available on the menu as well.
Haze はぜ (Kurume City)
Nestled in the foothills of Minoyama in Kurume City in an old traditional Japanese house, Le Restaurant du Haze is a gem. It prides itself on being simple, modern, and natural, combining Japanese classics with French inspired Macrobiotic cooking and a beautiful view of the surrounding nature.
Chef Hirata studied both French cuisine and Macrobiotic cooking in Tokyo and has won numerous awards for his cooking. He truly likes to keep it simple and moderne. They offer three course meals at lunch ( a daily pasta, curry, and chef’s choice) and a single special course at dinner. Dinner is by reservation only and may be considered costly by some (¥5400), but it is absolutely worth it. They start with a vegetable and fermented food appetizer and h’or d’earves, things like a salad with both raw and cooked veggies and a Koji dressing, and always provide a pasta, a soup, and a main course. The meal is finished off with brown rice, miso soup, and pickled vegetables followed by dessert. Everything is so fresh and flavorful, and I always leave completely stuffed but never uncomfable.
As Haze is a bit on the fancier and relaxing side, they do ask they you don’t bring small children. This is the perfect place for an anniversary date or sophisticated dinner with close friends.
The foodie scene in Fukuoka is changing constantly, and these articles can go out of date fast - my suggestion is to always double check the Google listing for the most recent information before making your way to the establishment. Also be aware that hours of operation can be different for local restaurants, and some may not be open every day.
When all options are exhausted and you’re feeling overwhelmed, Indian curry is often accommodating to vegan and vegetarian diners and is a safe choice in a pinch.
Good luck and happy exploring! If I forgot to mention anything important, you can help other readers by mentioning it down in the comments below. I also recommend cross-referencing websites like HappyCow and Vegewel for more information!