5 best gluten-free restaurants in Tokyo

This restaurant is a godsend for those with gluten intolerance as the entire menu is completely gluten-free. You can enjoy gluten-free versions of classic Japanese dishes including pork and veggie gyoza (¥730) made with rice flour, seasonal tempura (from ¥1,750), yakisoba (¥1,650), okonomiyaki (¥1,650) and four types of ramen (from ¥1,490): chicken, miso butter corn, yamitsuki (a mix of chicken, pork and fish), and vegan ramen. Another must-order menu item is the cajun chicken karaage (¥1,600) served with honey mustard sauce.

Aside from gluten-intolerant eaters, the menu also caters to vegans, as well as those with nut or dairy allergies. Just take note of the symbols on the menu that show whether a dish contains nuts, dairy, egg or soy.

Ramen is a staple in Japan, but it’s hard for anyone who’s sensitive to gluten to get a chance to try it. Thankfully, Soranoiro’s Tokyo Station outpost offers a gluten-free shio (salt) ramen (¥1,300) option that’s made with brown rice noodles. The ramen is served with seasonal veggies such as tomatoes and broccoli and is topped with chicken slices and an oozy ramen egg. The brown rice noodles have a lovely chewy and springy texture and are sourced from Miyauchiya in Shimane prefecture, makers of all kinds of gluten-free food. 

If your gluten allergy isn’t too severe, you can also try swapping regular noodles for brown rice noodles in any of Soranoiro’s other ramen bowls for just ¥250.

Ain Soph Journey in Shinjuku features a 100-percent plant-based menu as well as gluten-free options. If you’re stopping by for lunch, try the gluten-free pasta lunch set featuring rice-based pasta tossed in a basil and cashew genovese sauce (¥1,540).

Ain Soph has two additional locations in Ginza and Ikebukuro offering slightly different but still plant-based menus with gluten-free items. Plus, the restaurant has an online patisserie shop where you can order vegan confectionery and the shop’s signature gluten-free ice cream sandwiches (¥4,760 for a set of eight).

Serving up curries made with a fragrant mix of spices, Karehadare is a must for those who appreciate a flavourful kick to their meals. Curries (starting from ¥950) are all served with a side of basmati rice and are completely gluten-free, and made using pesticide-free, organic veggies. The menu changes daily, but you can expect at least five different types of curry such as spicy green curry, coconut curry, keema curry and pork vindaloo. 

If you’re keen to pair your curry with a beer, you’ll need to choose carefully – the restaurant offers a globetrotting menu of craft beers, but for now, only one of them is gluten-free.

This Roppongi-based pizza shop has been turning out pizza for over a decade and specialises in Califorian-style pizza with chunky crusts and unorthodox toppings such as guacamole and buffalo sauce chicken (starting from ¥1,600). Better yet, it caters to all sorts of eaters, offering pizzas with gluten-free crusts and vegan cashew nut cheese. The menu also includes gluten-free appetisers and a house salad dressing that’s completely free of gluten.

Although the kitchen makes both standard and gluten-free pizzas, you don’t have to worry about contamination – separate utensils, bowls and knives are used in the kitchen.