Veggie Chic

Vegetarian ecstasy in Japan

by Jul on December 18th, 2006

There were a lot of culinary highlights on our recent trip to Japan, but the best meals we had there were easily at the Shojin Ryori restaurants we visited. Shojin Ryori is a cuisine based upon the vegetarian diet of Buddhist monks. It has evolved into an exquisite form of haute cuisine based primarily on seasonal vegetables and legumes.

We were lucky enough to get to try Shojin Ryori twice during our vacation, once in Kyoto and once in Kamakura, a small town outside of Tokyo. Both meals consisted of multiple courses of exquisitely prepared food. The courses usually consisted of several different foods grouped together artistically on the ceramic serving bowls and plates.

No vegetarian visiting Japan should miss out on the experience of a Shojin Ryori meal. It is a little pricier than an average restaurant, but completely worth the splurge. It’s so much fun to be able to taste so many delightful new foods while not having to worry about whether anything contains meat. Now if only I could sit on the floor for that long without getting a back ache…

Share This

Related Stories

Vegetarian sushi in Kyoto
A vegetarian vacation in Japan
Tofu and Brussels Sprouts for Breakfast
Ask Veggie Chic Jul
The best Veggie Chic posts of 2006

POSTED IN: Adventures, Food, Tales From the Veg Side, Traveling While Vegetarian