Eat Well: Thunder Tacos - Utsunomiya, Tochigi
When we go out of town for work we always try to find a new vegan restaurant to experience and share with other travelers. So, while waiting for our shinkansen back to Tokyo from Tochigi we decided to grab a bite to eat. We were craving Mexican food and luckily there was a vegan-friendly option not too far from Utsunomiya station. Thunder Tacos is about a 20-minute walk from the station and we were pleased to see a few vegan options on the menu including tacos and a burrito. We were hoping to eat the burrito however, we were informed that it takes about 40 minutes to prepare and they recommended ordering it in advance for those who know they will be coming ahead of time. When we got to the restaurant we found the interior classy and well-designed. We chose to sit in a booth to watch the staff work in the open kitchen because it’s always fun to watch the culinary magic happen. In addition to indoor seating, there’s a pick-up window outside for those on the go.
Since we couldn’t have a burrito this time we decided to try the vegan version of the vegetarian tacos. These small tacos came with a soft hand-made tortilla that held up against the weight of the toppings. The filling includes red and green salsa, avocado, red cabbage, red onion, cilantro, and seasoning. There were also a couple of lime wedges to squeeze on top for an extra layer of flavor and we got a side of jalapeno because we love spicy foods. The menu said they would come with beans as well, but we didn’t see or feel any. It may be that only the vegetarian option comes with beans if they’re made with an ingredient that isn’t vegan. Either that or it was an extremely small portion of beans. The veggies were crisp and fresh and the soft avocado added a nice contrast in texture. We wish they had given us some utensils as the tacos were a bit messy to eat because the generous helping of topping fell out of the back. The overall flavor of the taco was well-blanced and delicious so we ordered a set to-go with some french fries. However, it should be noted that the takeaway set only comes with three slightly bigger tacos. They kindly put the salsa on the side so the tortillas won’t get soggy before you can eat them.
The chef who took our order patiently answered our questions about the vegan items and was able to communicate with us in English, which was much appreciated. If we get the chance to come back to Thunder Tacos, we look forward to trying the burrito to see how, if at all, it differs from the tacos’ contents and flavor profile. We’ll give our meal and experience from Thunder Tacos a sold 4 out of 5!
Eat Well: Healthy Tokyo - Haneda Airport
We recently took a work trip to Yamaguchi and thought we’d take the time to share our go-to vegan option at Haneda Airport: Healthy Tokyo. We always get to the airport early to pick something up from here to snack on before, during, or after our flight. Located in Terminal 2, this completely vegan cafe boasts a variety of entrees, desserts, drinks, and CBD products to enjoy. Now some of you might be thinking “Isn’t CBD illegal in Japan?”. Japan has stringent rules regarding the use and sale of drugs, but because CBD is non-psychoactive it’s not on the “no good” list like it’s fun cousin THC. Now that we’ve got that cleared, up let’s talk about our options.
On the menu you’ll find food and drink selections both with and without CBD, so if you’re a nervous flier and want something delicious to help calm you down this is the place for you. When you walk up to the shop, you’ll see a large menu with new and recommended items like the Caprese sandwich, quiche, and hot or iced beverages. They also have drink and dessert sets for those who want to try multiple items together. And if you’re not really hungry and just looking for CBD products to take with you they have a great selection of gummies, chocolates, oils, and even choices for pets! Plus if you get to the airport with plenty of time to spare before your flight there’s plenty of seating for you at the cafe.
We decided to try two food items during the flight and later that day for lunch: a spinach and cheese panini and a piece of lasagna.
First, we ate the spinach and cheese panini. They press the sandwiches to order, which means they’ll be nice and warm when you get them. However, the wax paper wrapping doesn’t do much to keep the heat in. We suggest eating it fresh because the bread is easier to bite into and the experience is more enjoyable. While the flavor is alright, it could use more filling to truly be satisfying. Overall we’d give it a 2.5/5 for taste and presentation.
Between shows at work, we had time to try the lasagna. Inside of a box and wrapped in foil, it’s nothing special to look at. There was no microwave or toaster oven at the venue so we had to eat it cold, but it still tasted pretty good and we didn’t mind that it wasn’t warm. There was plenty of tangy tomato sauce to keep it from being dry and a good ratio of filling to help fill us up. The lasagna noodles tasted a little overcooked, but that could be due to the fact we didn’t eat it right away. The slice was a good portion, it looked like a something we would cut for ourselves at home to eat so we were happy with it. Overall we think a 3.5/5 is fair for taste and presentation.
Stopping by Healthy Tokyo before entering the ticket gate helps in a pinch when you haven’t prepared anything to eat. We definitely want to try the other items to see what’s best and visit the other locations around Tokyo to see if there are different foods to try at each one. Take a look at the menu above and let us know what you think we should try on our visit. We’ll post a follow up with our feedback a stop by one of the other cafes to share our dine in experience. Until next time, eat well.
Eat Well Hemp Cafe Tokyo - Shibuya
The aftermath - Taco Rice
We love living in Japan and trying all the unique vegan foods available, but sometimes we crave a taste of the west. More specifically, one of our favorite cuisines: Mexican food. Believe it or not, Mexican food isn’t terribly popular since a lot of people here don’t like hot spicy foods. It’s even more difficult to find in Tokyo if you’re looking for something vegan. Today however, we’re going to share one of our go-to restaurants to satisfy our desire for flavors that take us “south of the border”.
Located on the border of Shibuya in Ebisu, Hemp Cafe Tokyo is an easy 10-minute walk from Ebisu Station. Found on the 8th floor of the Crysty Ebisu building, this 100% vegan restaurant specializes in Mexican-inspired dishes. Inside you’ll find bright, earthy tones, books on veganism, and a mix of hemp and CBD products for sale. For today’s meal we decided to order something relatively healthy compared to the foods we usually eat. To help give us a boost after our weighted exercise that morning, we asked the server what item had the highest protein. She let us know that the Mexican burrito or taco rice would be our best options. With that in mind we odered the taco rice and our partner ordered the burrito. We only had a bite of the burrito, so we’ll save that review for a different day when we eat a full one.
Let’s talk about the taco rice. Taco rice is actually a semi-popular food item when it pops up on a menu in Japan, but this is the best vegan version we’ve seen (and tasted) so far. Soy meat, tofu, and avocado are mixed with kale, tomato, and red onion over a bed of roasted brown rice. Then it’s topped off with mayo, salsa, corriander, dill, and mint. To say this salad was refreshing is an understatement. The sauces and fresh herbs were bright on the palate resulting in a well-seasoned dish. Even though it was loaded, we were pleasantly surprised to taste that all of the flavors were balanced. We really did get a good amount of protein too and didn’t have to search for it in a forest of greens. And the rice was cooked perfectly and added to the overall textural variety. This was a nice sized bowl and we’re glad to say that we felt satisfied after eating. Salad isn’t really our jam so we took a little bit of a risk in ordering this meal and it definitely paid off.
While the menu takes inspiration from Mexican cuisine, there are other options such as bugers, sushi, and a few CBD infused items. There are also hemp and CBD goods that you can purchase for use at home.
The overall expeience of eating at Hemp Cafe Tokyo is a relaxing one and we’re sure you’ll want to come back for more on e you try their delicious food.
How the hag helps you
How can the hag help you?
Welcome to our blog about the many wonderful places to eat around Japan! We want to help you find great meals wherever you go. Of course, we’d love to see you at the Wand and Spoon, but there are so many delicious cuisines and interesting restaurants to try that we just have to share them. Get ready to add lots of new places to your Japanese culinary bucket list and let’s eat!
We’re not stopping the foodie adventure at restaurants, though. For those who aren’t in or visiting Japan, we have something for you too! We’ll be giving you fun recipes that you can try at home! From fictional foods to vegan treats and even traditional Japanese items that you can try making yourself. Join us in the kitchen where you’ll always be full and have something to entertain your friends and family.
Hop on your brooms and let’s take this culinary journey in Japan together. Eat well!