T’s Tantan: Vegan Tokyo
T’s Tantan is one of the most beloved ramen purveyors in Japan, and for very good reason. An offshoot of the popular T’s Restaurant in Jiyugaoka (near the gorgeous Saido, another great vegan restaurant), T’s Tantan has been around since 2011 and now has four branches: two in Narita airport, one in Tokyo Station and one in JR Ikebukuro Station.
T’s offers some of the most popular vegan food in Japan. As well as their restaurants, T’s sells instant noodle pots and other convenience meals in supermarkets as well as in their branches, making it a lifesaver for vegan travellers on the go.
If you’re looking for the best tantanmen restaurant Tokyo has to offer, read on.
The Need-To-Know
| Vegan Status | Fully Vegan |
| Location | Four locations: Tokyo Station, Ikebukuro, Narita Airport |
| Cuisine Style | Japanese Ramen |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| How to order | Order from tablet at the table |
| How to pay | At the cash desk after meal, card and cash accepted |
The Restaurant
On both of my visits to Japan, I visited the Tokyo Station branch. You need to pass through the actual ticket gates to get there, so it’s perfect for a bite before hopping on the Shinkansen. Despite being in an incredibly busy station, the atmosphere inside the restaurant is calm and relaxed.
There’s artwork on the walls promoting plant-based lifestyle, and each table comes equipped with a tablet to place your order from. The tablet has plenty of language options, making it so easy for travellers from all over the world.
There are tables for groups, and an array of single-diner tables, arranged in a semi-circle with dividers, giving a bit of privacy to the diner.
Service is fairly quick. Both times I visited, our meals were out within about 15 minutes of ordering, and payment is made at the cash desk at the front. However there can sometimes be a bit of a wait depending on the time of day and how busy it is. If you’re planning to get an onward Shinkansen train, I’d recommend giving yourself an hour for T’s Tantan to be on the safe side. It’s not slow, but it’s not McDonald’s.
The Food
T’s Tantan is most famous for its rich, creamy Tantanmen. Tantanmen, sometimes called Tan tan ramen, is the Japanese adaptation of the Sichuan Chinese Dan Dan noodles. T’s uses a combination of sesame and nut milks to achieve the nutty, creamy broth with a bit of a kick.
My husband went for the Golden Sesame Tantanmen, which is a fantastic vegan ramen – rich and savoury. You can pair it up with a combo offer, adding vegan gyoza which are gorgeously crispy and filling.
I’ve had the Black Sesame Tantanmen, which is described on the menu as being spicy. I’m from Ireland, which is not exactly renowned for spicy food (or… food in general, to be honest), but to me this was as spicy as black pepper. It’s still delicious, but if you’re expecting heat, prepare yourself for lukewarm.
We’ve also had the regular tantanmen, which like the others, is so good. It’s less nutty than the Sesame Tantanment, but keeps the rich, creamy, comforting vibe.
The ramens all come with toppings, and you can add more. The broiled soy meat is satisfying, packed with umami and chewy enough to hold up in a bowl of broth. I’d highly recommend adding this to your order, it gives you a hit of protein and really elevates the bowl.
The vegan cheese, you can skip. We tried it, but it was quite bland and didn’t really add much to the meal other than a bit of unnecessary texture.
The Price Point
T’s Tantan is pretty standard pricing for Tokyo, not overly cheap, not overly expensive.
A bowl of tantanmen at the time of writing is ¥1,100, with an extra ¥500 to add soy meat topping.
The golden sesame tantanmen combo with gyoza will set you back ¥3,300. A further combo that includes the golden sesame tantanmen, gyoza and a tantan rice bowl goes for ¥4,650 and would be perfect shared between two for a great lunch.
Locations
- The Main Branch: T’s Tantan Gransta Tokyo (Tokyo Station)
- Location: Inside the ticket gates of JR Tokyo Station
- Finding it: The restaurant is on 1F. Go to the Keiyo Street Area inside the station, look for the signs for the Keiyo Line. The easiest way to get close is to enter through the Yaesu South Exit and head towards the Keiyo Line on the left.
- Access Tip: If you’re not travelling on a JR line, you will need to purchase a platform ticket (nyuujouken) for around ¥140 to enter the ticketed area.
- T’s Tantan Ikebukuro Station
- Location: Inside the JR Ikebukuro Station ticket gates, Central Concourse
- Access Tip: Look for signs near the Central Gate 1 exit. Like Tokyo Station, it’s a perfect spot for travellers arriving or departing on the JR Lines
- The Airport Branches – Narita Airport
- Narita Terminal 1: Located in the Tokyo Food Bar, after immigration and security. Past Gate 51.
- Narita Terminal 2: Located on the 4th floor, before the security check.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to vegan ramen in Tokyo, or indeed Japan as a whole, it’s no surprise that T’s Tantan is often the first name you’ll hear. It’s a high-quality, reasonably priced, convenient and fully vegan meal that’s a true hug in a bowl.
For travellers on the go or arriving into busy Tokyo, T’s Tantan is a perfect bit of respite from the busy city. Sitting and unwinding with a creamy bowl of tantanmen before you venture back out into the bustle of Tokyo, a moment of calm amongst the stress of travel.
I’ve visited T’s Tantan on both trips to Japan, and both visits were excellent.
Who should go:
- The Train Traveller: It’s ideal for a quick, guaranteed vegan meal when arriving at or departing from Tokyo.
- The Vegan Skeptic: T’s Tantan excellently proves that plant based ramen can be rich, satisfying and comforting.
- The Budget Conscious: T’s Tantan offers fantastic quality and portion size for the price point.
Who should skip it:
- The Ambiance Seeker: It’s in a train station, so as much as the restaurant itself is calm and peaceful, there is a more rushed undercurrent than you’re going to find somewhere else. If you’re looking for intimate, lingering dinner options, I’d recommend you check out Saido restaurant, also in Tokyo.
- The Heat Seeker: Despite claims to the contrary, the “spicy” items on the menu are not very spicy at all. They’re still delicious, but manage your expectations accordingly.
