Japanese cuisine is often a safe bet for those of a vegan persuasion and this bright, simple King’s Cross venue was a real trailblazer. The first Japanese vegan (and organic!) restaurant to open in Europe, it offers clean and detox-friendly ramen and curries for lunch, along with a more comprehensive dinner menu – think sharing plates and heartier fare such as a lip-smacking tofu steak topped with teriyaki sauce and melty sautéed carrots. If all of this sounds a little too well-behaved, don’t worry: the cocktail menu towers with roku gin and yuzu-based concoctions that arrive in improbably massive tankards. There’s also a small but tantalising saké list and, of course, a good selection of alcohol-free options to maintain the virtuous vibe.
Order this
As is tradition, the isobeage – fried mushrooms and cauliflower encased in golden, crispy seaweed tempura batter – is perfectly paired with a similarly crisp beer.
Time Out tip
Itadaki Zen’s lunchtime takeaway bento box offers clean living on the go, and there’s a healthy student discount too.
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