Bakery

Japanese sweets café dating back to the1930. Offers a varying selection of vegan options. NOTE: Staff doesn't speak English. Open Mon-Fri 11:00am-8:00pm.


Venue map for Takemura
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6 Reviews

First Review by D.Flo

whysothirstyy

Points +53

Vegan
18 Jul 2023

Unique traditional experience

English menu contains list of general ingredients, and images of each dish. Staff has some understanding of English as well and can tell you which dishes are/aren’t vegan.
Unfortunately the agemanju that I’ve seen many folks post pics of us NOT vegan so please be careful! Staff informed me there is egg in it.
I had the kuzumochi and it was alright. It came with green tea which was tasty.
The place itself is so cute and is from the 1930’s. They DO allow photos of food but no photos of the place.

AlanaBanana

Points +2339

Vegan
07 Jul 2023

Traditional Japanese dessert shop

Traditional Japanese dessert shop with vegetarian dishes and some vegan options. Now they have menu in English

Pros: Fried rice with red beans dessert , Really different desserts, Nice place

Cons: Expensive

FredNirk

Points +372

Vegan
27 Apr 2023

Nice sweets

I was given the English menu and it definitely states no photos of use of phones. It seems a little strange but actually I like the idea.

I ordered the red bean paste with apricot and agar gelatin cubes. It came out quickly and was quite tasty.

I got two manju as take out and they were delicious. You can order take home packs to heat up yourself too, if you're staying somewhere with appropriate facilities to do so.

I'm not sure how fully all the ingredients were listed, so be careful when ordering if vegan. Some dishes listed bonito, and some had ice cream which did not state if it was dairy or soy.

veganconnoisseur

Points +174

Vegan
02 Dec 2022

Great news: ingredients are now labeled and English menu!

It's like they listened to the reviews (thanks @marties !) And now there is a English menu that has listed ingredients. That way you know know that some mochi plates have bonito and eggs, but the bowl with red bean paste and amazing apricots is vegan (ask about ice cream of day please to confirm). The mochi are just rice, so they are also gluten free (celiacs please confirm since this is only about ingredients not contact with wheat, some things on menu are wheat based). So the result is that this place went from "hard for vegans" to " traditional japanese sweets with some vegan options" and I think that's a five star moment for vegans in Tokyo.

P.s. they no longer seem to have issues with photos (no mention on Japanese or English menu, and locals were taking photos and the servants saw it and seemed more than happy). Please update of this changes.

Updated from previous review on 2022-12-02

Pros: Some vegan options for traditional japanese sweets, Even gluten free options too, Amazing space, traditional japanese

Cons: Expensive but this is crafts Japanese sweets, Not everything is vegan, there's egg and bonito

Marties

Points +1421

Mostly Veg
31 Aug 2022

Bring cash!

Super traditional dessert shop, beautiful old building in a very nice area. I'd been meaning to go for a while, but they close kinda early and they only accept cash payments.

The anmitsu wasn't as amazing as I expected given their reputation, but I loved the generous chunks of dried apricot. The fried manjū have a very unique flavor -- perfect as omiyage!

I undestand it must be annoying when tourists flock around, but the "no photo" rules feel a bit too tight (I was there literally by myself on a weekday afternoon).

Pros: Wagashi are always the best treat, The whole menu is potentially vegan

Cons: Tight rules, Cash only, No allergen info on the menu

veganconnoisseur

02 Dec 2022

I really appreciated your review. And I think it might have been super helpful. The place now has a English menu with ingredients listed and they no longer seem to have issues with photos (no mention on Japanese or English menu, and locals were taking photos and the servants saw it and seemed more than happy). I'm happy to believe that happy cow revkwican help restaurants too to improve! Thanks.

D.Flo

Points +1491

Vegan
09 Nov 2019

As traditionally Japanese as you will find!

Although, most probably, none of the staff knows what veganism is, and the menu is not labeled nor English friendly, you HAVE to visit this Japanese sweets café. Located in an old house in the Kanda area, the atmosphere will make you travel back in time!

Food wise, if you like Japanese sweets, you'll be happy. The café is famous for its deep fried manju (age manju), so make sure to get some.

Pros: As traditional as can be, Good Japanese sweets

Cons: No labeling and no English

veganconnoisseur

02 Dec 2022

I really appreciated your review. And I think it might have been super helpful. The place now has a English menu with ingredients listed and they no longer seem to have issues with photos (no mention on Japanese or English menu, and locals were taking photos and the servants saw it and seemed more than happy). I'm happy to believe that happy cow revkwican help restaurants too to improve! Thanks.




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