Discovering Saido: A Vegan Fine Dining Restaurant in the Heart of Tokyo

Tokyo is a city of layers. Beneath the neon lights, world-famous sushi counters and hidden alleyway ramen shops, there’s a quieter movement growing, one rooted in plant-based cuisine, culinary precision, and deep respect for ingredients.  

For a broader look at dining plant-based in the city, like this vegan izakaya check our Vegan Guide to Tokyo.

At the forefront of this shift is Saido, a vegan restaurant in Tokyo unlike any other, tucked away in one of Tokyo’s most charming neighborhoods, Jiyugaoka. A visit to Saido is not just a meal, it’s a journey into the possibilities of Japanese cuisine without animal products. It’s creative, closely tied with Japanese culture, and deeply satisfying. 

Veganism in Tokyo 

Veganism in Tokyo has evolved rapidly over the past decade. Once seen as niche or foreign, plant-based eating is becoming more accepted, with both locals and international visitors seeking out restaurants that cater to dietary restrictions, or food allergies. Still, compared to cities like London or Los Angeles, vegan options in Tokyo remain few, making fully dedicated vegan restaurants even more special. 

Fully vegan and gluten-free tarts in Tokyo's Omotesando neighborhood.

The Japanese culinary tradition, with its emphasis on fish-based stocks, seafood, eggs and subtle animal-derived seasonings, has posed challenges for vegans. But rather than avoid Japanese cuisine altogether, a new wave of chefs are exploring ways to maintain tradition while reimagining ingredients.

Spicy vegan ramen in Tokyo.

Tokyo’s vegan scene is increasingly sophisticated, offering everything from fast-casual vegan ramen to high-end reinterpretations of kaiseki dining. At the center of this innovation is Saido, a restaurant that doesn’t just offer plant-based dishes but defines a new path for Japanese cuisine through vegetables. 

Introducing Saido and the Jiyūgaoka Neighborhood

Saido is located in the peaceful and stylish neighborhood of Jiyūgaoka, in Meguro-ku, Tokyo. Known for its calm atmosphere, boutique shops, and tree-lined streets, Jiyūgaoka feels a world away from the intensity of Shibuya or Shinjuku. It’s the perfect setting for a restaurant like Saido, calm, elegant and tucked away from the obvious. 

The restaurant’s name, “Saido,” translates to “the way of vegetables,” and it’s an apt description of the culinary philosophy at work. Opened in 2018, Saido has earned a quiet but strong reputation for its uncompromising approach to plant-based dining. The restaurant avoids not only meat and fish but also chemical seasonings, refined sugars, and even pungent vegetables like garlic and onion, creating dishes that are balanced, clean and rooted in traditional Japanese ideas of flavor harmony. 

Inside, the atmosphere is refined and serene. The dining room is small, designed for an intimate experience. Natural wood, muted tones and thoughtful lighting create a sense of calm. The setting is elegant but not stiff, and there’s a focus on hospitality that feels both formal and warm. Meals are served course-style, with attention paid to presentation, flow, and seasonality. 

What Makes Saido's Menu Special

Saido offers a set-course menu for both lunch and dinner, and the experience is built around curated seasonal dishes that highlight vegetables in their most expressive forms. Unlike some vegan restaurants that lean heavily on Western ingredients or imported products, Saido remains deeply rooted in Japanese cuisine, both in structure and inspiration. 

What makes Saido’s menu special is its ability to reimagine classic Japanese comfort foods in entirely plant-based form. From grilled “eel” rice bowls to umami-rich noodle dishes, the chefs have developed inventive ways to replicate texture and flavor using only plants. The use of tofu, root vegetables, mushrooms, seaweed and fermented ingredients creates a complexity that never feels like an imitation. Instead, each dish feels like a fresh evolution of its traditional counterpart. 

The set course begins with a small starter, followed by a warm soup, a carefully composed main dish and a dessert. Depending on the season, guests may find items like shiitake dashi noodles, vegetable tempura, rice dishes topped with marinated tofu or konnyaku, and vegan versions of dishes like yakitori skewers. Sauces are handmade, stocks are crafted from kombu and dried mushrooms, and every element of the meal is designed to work together.

Saido also pays attention to beverage pairings. Herb-infused sodas, natural wines and non-alcoholic options such as homemade kombucha are offered as part of the dining experience. The restaurant’s intention is clear: this isn’t food for just vegans, but for anyone who appreciates a refined, thoughtful, and beautifully presented meal. 

What I Ate at Saido Tokyo: My Vegan Experience at the Restaurant

For my experience, I booked the lunch course at 12:30 on a Monday. As soon as I walked in, the staff warmly greeted me (in English!) and had me sit in a large, cushioned chair that already had an English menu in front of it. My lunch set included a soup, a salad, a main dish I was able to select, two drinks, and a dessert of my choice.

At about ¥3000 for everything, I found my lunch to be well worth the price. All dishes are served in waves and right after I finished one dish, the next dish would be smoothly placed on my table. Each dish every dish was crafted with careful precision, I could taste in every bite. 

Vegetables were cut evenly, sauces were brushed cleanly onto the plate, and textures were thoughtfully layered. Each element on the plate had a purpose, whether it was adding crunch, color, or balance.

The flavors felt clean, relying on natural umami from mushrooms, seaweed, and fermentation rather than heavy seasoning. Most importantly, everything was delicious! Overall, I greatly enjoyed my time at Saido and left full and happy.  

Important Notes

Reservations at Saido are required and can only be made online through their booking platform TableCheck. The system opens on the first day of each month for all available dates in the following month, and popular time slots often fill up quickly. 

If you are new to If you’re new to Japanese dining norms, our blog Eat Like a Local in Tokyo has etiquette tips and dining suggestions to help.

Guests must arrive on time, as being more than 15 minutes late may result in cancellation. For groups of seven or more, reservations must be made directly with the restaurant rather than through the website. During the booking process, you’ll be asked to provide contact information, a credit card, and you can list any dietary restrictions or allergies. It is a bit tricky to navigate but absolutely worth the experience.  

Final Thoughts

Dining at Saido feels like stepping into a different world. It’s not just the ingredients that are different; it’s the entire experience. The calm setting, the intentional pacing of each course, the balance of taste and aesthetics, everything is designed to draw you into the moment.

For those used to thinking of vegan food as limited or less satisfying, this meal is a revelation. Each dish is both rooted in Japanese culinary tradition and entirely forward-looking, offering a new way to understand the possibilities of plant-based cuisine. 

Tokyo has many remarkable places to eat, but few restaurants combine innovation and tradition with such clarity. If you are vegan, Saido is a must-visit. But even if you’re not, this is one of the most unique and satisfying dining experiences in Tokyo.