Vegetarian going to Japan - idiot?

[mahoobley]

Hello, I'm off to Japan in on the 19th for a couple of weeks, and despite my horrendous lack of japanese and limited planning I'm feeling confident, except on one point:

I am a strict vegetarian. Yes that means no fish either.

Now I've had very contradictory advice about this, mostly from people with a limited experience of Japan usually along the moronic lines of "omg they eet only fish out there u r fuXx0r3d" etc, although I have had worrying thoughts from other sources too including the owner of the backpackers hotel in Kyoto which I am staying at who says I would be better off cooking for myself. Oh dear. Also, apparently the concept of what is a vegetarian in Japan if I am able to explain myself is different to my own, which may result in me getting served vegetable noodle dishes - in chicken stock.

Having said that, I went to Morocco last year and had exactly the same worries and was told (even by the Lonely Planet guide - which incidentally is rubbish on everything else to do with Morocco so if you are going there avoid that book) that they don't know what being a vegetarian means out there and everything has chicken in it, which turned out to be complete nonsense and every restaurant I went in to knew exactly what vegetarian means and were able to offer me excellent food.

So, you all seem like knowledgable sorts - can anyone clarify all this to me?

[GomiGirl]

Do your own cooking!! There are fish products in practically everything. Hard to find completely vegan groceries except at specialty places like Tengu or Natural House (google them). Do you eat eggs?

Also, have a piece of paper translated into Japanese that explains that you eat no meat or fish products... say that it is for an allergy or something as people will just think you are nuts.

[Mulboyne]

There have been a few threads on the board about vegetarianism. This is a recent one:
FG Thread: Vegetarian in Japan, hee, hee, hee

when eating out, apart from tofu and rice, and some salads, i just don't see how a "serious" vegetarian can survive.

Well, to start with, the vegetables available are expensive but not limited in variety. You just have to know where to look. Also, You can get vegetarian dishes at most of the thai restaurants, all the Indian restaurants and also most of the Italian ones. All the Pizza delivery guys have a "veggie delight" or something akin to it on the menu. Salads and vegetable cup-ramen abound as well. Hell, even subway offers a vegetarian sandwich.

Of course, it is not as easy as being a non-vegetarian, but it is definitely not a question of survival. Maybe vegetarians cannot enjoy as many delicacies, but it is easy to find vegetarian fare Personally, I eat anything that moves, but I am yet to see a vegetarian friend of mine not able to find something or the other to eat when push comes to shove.

This link to restaurants and shops is in another thread

http://www.happycow.net/asia/japan/tokyo/

[mahoobley]

Thanks for that - I did have a search but missed that one, only seemed to find rather unpleasant flame wars

That happycow site will prove utterly invaluable. Cheers!

[Papa-Lazarou]

wwwwhhh rrrrrr ymmmm goooonggg tttttoo jjjjpppnnnn?

[katakori]

where are you coming from?

[mahoobley]

Why am I going to Japan, Dave? I've always wanted to, and have had the opportunity to as a few friends of mine are living there at the moment (albeit in Hiroshima, so I'll be alone in the other places I visit).

Where am I from? The UK (London, specifically).

[Papa-Lazarou]

wwwllll yyyrrrrrr fffnnnn wrrrk nnnn jppppnn?

[jingai]

I was a vegetarian in Japan and ate out a lot. You have to ask yourself how much do you care if you have something fish-related in your broth. If you care, don't eat noodle soups, most dipping sauces, etc. I didn't care so I could eat pretty much anywhere.

There are certainly things you can eat. "Margarita Pizza" at Italian places is a safe choice. There are vegetable sushi (various vegetables, egg), some types of onigiri (rice balls/triangles), etc. If you are very strict, cook for yourself.

[mahoobley]

Will I find work in Japan? Or will my friend work in Japan? I'm not looking for work, just a few weeks holiday. My friend works full time for a magazine.

Also, It would be preferred if further questions to myself could be addressed in non zombie speak.

[mahoobley]

I was a vegetarian in Japan and ate out a lot. You have to ask yourself how much do you care if you have something fish-related in your broth. If you care, don't eat noodle soups, most dipping sauces, etc. I didn't care so I could eat pretty much anywhere.

There are certainly things you can eat. "Margarita Pizza" at Italian places is a safe choice. There are vegetable sushi (various vegetables, egg), some types of onigiri (rice balls/triangles), etc. If you are very strict, cook for yourself.

I guess we'll see how strict I am once I'm out there! I suppose if its a real hassle otherwise then I could deal with sauces or stock containing seafood, however pork has always made me ill so I'll have to avoid that. Besides, if I didn't like a challenge I wouldn't be travelling to Japan on my own!

[Papa-Lazarou]

Will I find work in Japan? Or will my friend work in Japan? I'm not looking for work, just a few weeks holiday. My friend works full time for a magazine.

Also, It would be preferred if further questions to myself could be addressed in non zombie speak.

Really, is that right?

[mahoobley]

Yrrrrrs, thrrrrt urrrrrrz crrrrrrrrkt.

Oh!

[Papa-Lazarou]

Oh dear, Oh Dear

[ketchupkatsu]

Stay away from most Japanese Curry.

They seem to be made from a base of either pork or beef lard.

Good luck

[FG Lurker]

My two bits worth: I only know one strict vegitarian here, and he essentially does not eat out at non-vegitarian restaurants (of which there are not very many).

He's lived here 20 years and speaks extremely good Japanese.

[AssKissinger]

Do vegans swallow cum?

[FG Lurker]

Do vegans swallow cum?

[Samurai_Jerk]

I say stop being a pain in the ass and eat what's available or stay home.

[katakori]

I say stop being a pain in the ass and eat what's available or stay home.

You have to ask yourself how much do you care (...) I didn't care so I could eat pretty much anywhere.

I guess it depends why you are a vegetarian in the first place.

Some people don't eat red meat and call themselves vegetarian, Japan is heaven for them because there is fish available everywhere. But you mentioned that is not your case.

If you don't like the idea of eating flesh-made steaks but don't care about meat which doesn't LOOK LIKE meat, you can eat everywhere and be happy as long as you don't care about the millions of fish and pigs that were used to do the final product.

If you are concerned about life, respect of the animals, and so on, i.e. you are strict about vegetarianism, Japan is complicated. Not impossible, but not too easy, and not too enjoyable.

If you are a strict vegan with no milk/egg etc. I just don't think it is a pleasant experience to be here...

I asked where you are from, because all my Australian friends were used to having vegetarian options on most menus in most restaurants, and cheap fruits available everywhere. They realised Japan is very different from Australia on that respect...

[ojara]

How about Japanese (rice) gruel?

You can get that at convenience stores.
Ume and no taste one for sick person;(I am helthy but love it)

Oshinko that is Japanese pickles from veges.

If you cook(or buy) white rice put on 'Oshinko', you arrive Paradise, that my case.

Natto, I don't know you can eat or not, but include much protein and you can survive few days.

Japan have the many kind of been and meal use been. with seaweeds; kelp ,
Japanese meal not so difficult, you get rice cooker and cook rice, buy some Oshiko and Tofe and Natto,
not but life. I know many old peaple eat very easy meals not much fish, no meet.

Soba , Udon some times us egg, but some one no use eggs.
If you can understand the packages, you boil yourself and eat with kelp soop .

Not good taste than use fish stoks, but that your life, no way.

If you want cook vege soop, mix many kind of vege chops and boil together, with a shiitake (mushroom)., papper, few chili,
solt, don't forget Negi.

I everyday cook(my case added on meat but) only veges not but.
I am insufficiency about veges, so everyday cook vege soop in my home. I don't use been, but If you like beens, you put on them.

If use been, put on water over 8 hours before use.and wash been, into soop, uoo!
good luck.

[nullpointer]

Do vegans swallow cum?

I guess only if it cu^H^H comes from a...um.., vegetarian?

[AssKissinger]

Do vegans swallow cum?

I guess only if it cu^H^H comes from a...um.., vegetarian?

I've got it from good sources that you can live on just pussy for two 'hole' weeks.

[nullpointer]

Do vegans swallow cum?

I guess only if it cu^H^H comes from a...um.., vegetarian?

I've got it from good sources that you can live on just pussy for two 'hole' weeks.

I thought it was much more if you feed at the "right time"

[kamome]

Word of advice for vegetarians: you can not order "off the menu" at most restaurants. It was an adventure eating lunch with my vegetarian colleague every day because he would constantly ask for "niku nuki" (minus the meat) and, after agreeing, the waiter would bring the food with meat still in it. Plus, the meat/vegetable distinction can be confusing for some Japanese. I have had waiters ask if pork was a vegetarian food.

[AssKissinger]

niku nuki

Ha! I pretty much agree with Sammy, if you bother to go overseas you should at least try to eat it their way. Asking for dishes 'niku nuki' isn't like 'wasabi nuki' the request is absurd here! That's like asking for a bun only burger at McDonald's or something. I remember this American chick trying to get a vegetarian miso ramen. The waiter was just laughing cause they put like a pound of lard in every bowl!

[hakuman]

Whatever. If you ask for "niku nuki" here, they will generally be either happy to take it out, or if they cant (cause the dish is pre-made) they will tell you. You may still end up with some meat in your food, but it wont be out of hostility, but rather just not fully understanding what a vegetarian is.
Do what you can to get your food meatless, but be prepared to eat small amounts occasionaly. Its only for a couple weeks, try to suck it up and do your best.

[kamome]

niku nuki

Ha! I pretty much agree with Sammy, if you bother to go overseas you should at least try to eat it their way. Asking for dishes 'niku nuki' isn't like 'wasabi nuki' the request is absurd here! That's like asking for a bun only burger at McDonald's or something. I remember this American chick trying to get a vegetarian miso ramen. The waiter was just laughing cause they put like a pound of lard in every bowl!

That's not entirely true. You can do niku nuki for, say, chahan (fried rice). Just don't mix the pork in with the rice and vegetables. Same goes with many dishes where you can just refrain from adding meat bits. Ramen is another matter, since meat is used for the stock. Actually, Thai ramen could be vegetarian--they use a clear broth, I think. And Indian curry can be vegetarian.

[ichigo partygirl]

I dont eat meat. Its because i dont like it much, and i dont like the way i feel after i eat it. However even i am going to eat meat in japan. I just cant be bothered with the hassle of being strict like i am here. Its really not worth it aye. Untill the defination of no meat is truly understood, and the cost of good veges go down its really not a viable option to me.

[yellowlightman]

What about tempura? Vegetable tempura isn't hard to find, but I'm not sure if there's any meat produce in the oil or batter.