Andy N.
Yelp
Shinbu Sakiya is a traditional ramen shop that centers its influences from Hokkaido, which is known for their butter-corn miso and seafood ramen varieties.
A friend had recommended this spot since they had clearly marked vegan options, and I was still on my search for my favorite vegan ramen in town.
Ordering is made easy outside using the kiosk. There are a few vegan ramen options available including a gluten-free option which is quite inclusive to see in Japan! You're able to select salt, miso, or soy sauce broth (as normal in many ramen shops) as well as the size if you're feeling hungrier.
I ordered the vegan Spicy Miso Ramen (¥1250), which came topped with bamboo shoots, corn, green onions, and a single tomato for color. The noodles and broth were quite good and I'll admit, the spicy level was closer to my liking than most spots in Japan.
However, the ramen itself really wasn't anything special aside from the broth. The toppings were vegan for sure, but there were no added protein like tofu or mushrooms. If they offered vegan butter to help recreate that Hokkaido specialty, that would have been a welcome addition and would have made this feel a little more special.
Considering the higher pricing for ramen, I'd probably skip this the next time, but points for the option and the traditional shop atmosphere inside.