Tokyo's Best Vegan Desserts: Two Must-Visit Yōgashi Shops

What Are Yōgashi?

Translated as Western-style Japanese desserts, yōgashi (洋菓子) are inspired by European sweets but often feature lighter textures, less sugar, and a delicate Japanese aesthetic. 

In recent years, as awareness of health, sustainability, and dietary preferences grow, vegan versions of these desserts have gained popularity - especially in Tokyo! Here are two of my must visit spots for Tokyo's best fully vegan Western-style Japanese desserts.

Tokyo Vegan Dessert Stop One: The Best Vegan Ice Cream at Premarche Gelateria & Alternative Junk

Located just a minute’s walk from Nakameguro Station, Premarche Gelateria & Alternative Junk is a gelato shop renowned for its high-quality, natural ingredients, and its commitment to offering a wide range of vegan and allergy-friendly options.

Premarche features over 40 rotating flavors, many of which are fully vegan, with creative Japanese flavor twists, such as matcha, roasted brown rice caramel, and white bean panna cotta. Below are two of my favorite combinations:

Tomato Sorbet with Salt and Olive Oil with 100% Rice “Milky and Creamy”

I was nervous about the sorbet being too strong in flavor, but it was surprisingly light and blended well with the rice gelato. I would recommend this for someone craving a something salty and sweet.

Premium Chocolate and Roasted Brown Rice Caramel

I also tried this premium chocolate flavor for an extra 100 yen together with the roasted brown rice caramel gelato on a 100% vegan rice cone. The result was a rich caramel with a light note of chocolate that I finished off with a fresh, crunchy cone.

The gelateria also avoids using white sugar and MSG with a focus on using organic ingredients, making such a decadent treat guilt-free without sacrificing the taste or quality of the dessert.

The Shop Atmosphere

The shop atmosphere is cozy with a warm, wood-accented interior, making it a lovely place to enjoy a dessert break or meet up with friends for something sweet. There are about 18 seats, and the staff is highly knowledgeable about allergens and vegan products. If there are any flavors you are unsure about, they also offer samples!

Hidden away to the left of the counter is also a section of vegan and organic products for sale. Highlights include vegan Japanese sauces, organic local teas, and health-conscious jarred soups.

What Makes Premarche Gelateria Special

What sets Premarche apart is the seriousness of its craft: the chief gelato maker mixes traditional Italian gelato techniques with Japanese ingredients and seasonal creativity.

The “food barrier free” mission is also central to their goal to make gelato that can be enjoyed by people with various dietary restrictions (vegan, dairy allergy, gluten free, etc.) without compromising on taste. 

Because of this, many vegan or non-milk options are almost indistinguishable in richness and texture from the milk based ones.

Also, the way flavors are rotated seasonally and the variety of unusual and local flavors offered gives you many reasons to make Premarche a must-visit spot on your trip to Tokyo.

Tokyo Vegan Dessert Stop Two: The Best Vegan Tarts at SO Tarte Omotesando

SO TARTE is a vegan and gluten free tart specialty cafe that opened in mid-2023, from fruits & season, a well-known vegan fruit sandwich shop in Tokyo. 

There are two locations, one in Omotesando, and one in Yoyogi-Uehara. The shop’s concept centers on making “Everyone’s Tart” (“みんなのタルト”) that people can enjoy regardless of dietary restrictions like dairy, egg, or wheat allergies.

The tarts are crafted with seasonal, carefully selected fruits such as cherries, mango, melon, strawberry, kiwi, blueberry, and more. Underneath the fruit topping is a soy based (or other plant based creams) and sometimes custard or diplomat cream-style fillings, all of which are 100% vegan. 

The tart crust is gluten free and made using either 100% rice flour or a mixture rice and almond flour, creating a sturdy, crispy texture without wheat or dairy, formulated to be sturdy, crispy, and to have good texture even without wheat or traditional dairy ingredients.

Tarts are offered in three sizes: mini (8 cm), regular (18 cm), and large (24 cm). The larger sizes usually require a reservation in advance (typically 3 business days ahead), especially for special occasions like birthdays. I tried three of the mini fruit tarts that feature seasonal Japanese fruits:

The seasonal fig tart topped with gold leaf.

My first choice was the fig tart. The fig was perfectly ripe and stacked elegantly with gold leaf and fig jam mixed into the tart base. Combined with a short-crust pastry, it was just the right level of sweetness.

The pineapple tart was perfectly sweet.

Next was the pineapple tart. A popular and domestically grown fruit, pineapple in Japan is a staple in many dessert shops. Elegantly cut and topped with silver, the tart was a tropical delight.

The matcha tart with topped with strawberries and filled with matcha jelly and cream.

To finish off my dessert sampling, I went for the iconic matcha strawberry tart. Unlike the other two that had a regular, soy cream base, this one had a base of matcha cream and jelly all topped with liquid sugar-coated strawberries.

In this tart, the matcha was the star, with a rich flavor and creamy yet light texture. It was the lightest of the three mini tarts I tried. Beyond tarts, SO TARTE periodically offers seasonal items like vegan shaved ice (かき氷), vegan fruit parfaits, fruit bowls, and drinks. 

The Shop Atmosphere

The Omotesando location has a stylish and minimalist interior design with soft pastel tones and a clean, bright layout. There is indoor and outdoor seating that can accommodate large groups.

The space is cozy, and tends to be popular, especially on weekends and holidays. I recommend visiting around lunchtime to avoid missing select tarts being sold out. 

They offer organic coffee (via Hagan organic coffee), tea, and even wine during certain hours. This drink selection enhances the cafe experience and is a great place to take a break from shopping.

Final Thoughts

Tokyo’s plant-based dessert scene is no longer just about substitutions. It’s about innovation, flavor, and craftsmanship.

The gelato at Premarché Gelateria & Alternative Junk and the tarts at SO TARTE Omotesando prove that in Tokyo, vegan desserts aren’t just alternatives but high-quality spots worthy of any itinerary.

100% vegan fruit sandwiches you can try on our Vegan Food Tour.

Excited to Try Tokyo’s Best Vegan Desserts?

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