Tsukemen Zuppa: Vegan Tokyo
When I was planning my first trip to Japan, I was so excited and had been posting about my upcoming trip on Instagram. An old colleague saw my stories and reached out to me. She’d moved to Tokyo a few months prior and suggested getting dinner while I was in town. Aside from the fact that she’s a delightful person, there’s something really novel to me about meeting up in a different country, so naturally I said yes. I told her that my husband and I are both vegan, so she suggested Tsukemen Zuppa.
Still to this day, that bowl of ramen was one of the best meals I’ve ever had.
On our most recent visit to Japan, we all met up again, and again, we went to Tsukemen Zuppa.
This small, authentic ramen shop, tucked away near Suidobashi is a perfect piece of Tokyo culture. Here’s everything you need to know about the incredible food, unique vibe and how to find this hidden gem.
The Need-To-Know
| Vegan Status | Vegetarian (most options Vegan) |
| Location | Suidobashi, Tokyo, Japan |
| Cuisine Style | Tsukemen dipping noodles and ramen |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| How to order | Vending machine outside |
| How to pay | Cash only vending machine |
The Restaurant
The first thing to note about Tsukemen Zuppa is the size. It’s tiny! With only about seven seats inside, you’ll be seated in a row alongside the counter, giving you a true Tokyo ramen counter experience.
This isn’t the place for a lingering group meal, it’s an intimate but quick experience. For the four of us, there was a bit of a wait while other patrons finished their meal. There isn’t enough space to wait inside, so you’ll need to wait outside the shop for your turn. If you’re going in winter, be warned that Tokyo gets cold, so wrap up warm in case you need to wait. In any case, it’s well worth the wait.
Before you enter the shop, you’ll order and pay for your meal from a vending machine outside. The vending machine has an array of buttons with all of the menu items listed. It’s all in Japanese, so this is one of those times where I’d recommend having an e-sim to make sure you can access Google translate.
Once you’ve made your choice and paid, the vending machine will give you a small ticket. Hang onto this! When you get a seat inside, you’ll hand it over to the chef behind the counter, who’ll begin preparing your meal.
Inside, you’ll be seated at a stool in front of a long shelf that serves as the dining table. The chef and kitchen are right in front of you, and you can watch the chef at work.
There’s a small toilet at the end of the restaurant, but you’ll have to squeeze by other patrons to get there.
Despite the small size, the atmosphere is incredibly welcoming. The chef is known for being very friendly and often speaks English with customers who are stuck on the vending machine, which immediately lowers the barrier for travellers.
The Food
This little noodle haven caters to vegans and vegetarians, with a plant-based menu. Their most well-known dish is in the name: Tsukemen.
Tsukemen, or “dipping noodles”, is a Japanese dish where noodles are served cold or room temperature and dipped into a separate, hot, concentrated broth. Tsukemen originated in Tokyo in the 1960s, and Tsukemen Zuppa is keeping the veggie version alive in their own corner of Tokyo.
As well as dipping noodles, the shop also serves standard ramen, which is what I got on both visits.
The soy milk ramen is hard to describe, that’s how much I loved it. It’s creamy and savoury, similar to the tantanmen I had at T’s tantan, but with a little bit of a chilli kick. I still remember the first mouthful: creamy but spicy at the same time, umami and a little hint of salt. It’s the type of meal you want to keep eating long after you’re full. The noodles are just the right texture – a little bit firm, softening as you work your way through the meal, but never getting soggy. It was topped with a mix of vegetables and soy meat, perfect accompaniments to the broth.
Outside of my beloved soy milk ramen, Tsukemen Zuppa offers their eponymous Tsukemen, soy meat miso ramen, soy meat soy sauce ramen and soy meat salt tanmen. For vegetarians, they have an additional soy meat egg bowl.
There’s an option on the vending machine to add egg. If you are vegan, double check you’re not ordering something that has egg in it – the vending machine has little pictures on the buttons, but again, this is where Google translate could come in handy. Or, if it’s not too busy, check with the chef!
Otherwise, everything here is plant based and safe for you to eat.
The Price Point
The pricing at Tsukemen Zuppa is extremely reasonable. Although the prices may have changed by my next visit, on the two occasions I have been, my meal has been between ¥900-1,000 each time.
This was one of the cheapest meals we had in Japan, and as you can probably tell from my gushing in this post, one of the best. The portion sizes are generous too, you’ll be full after your bowl. You can add optional extras, and they sell drinks like beer and highballs.
Cash-Only Tip
At the time of writing, I can’t confirm whether Tsukemen Zuppa accepts credit cards, so you’ll need cash for the vending machine outside. Be sure to keep Japanese Yen notes and coins on you!
Location
Tsukemen Zuppa is located in the Misakicho area of Chiyoda City, close to Tokyo Dome. The nearest station is Suidobashi station, which is a short walk away.
Address: 2-chōme-17-8 Misakichō, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0061, Japan
Nearest Station: Suidobashi (take the West Exit)
Hours: Generally 11:00am-11:00pm, although check Google maps in advance as these can vary. The shop is normally closed on Mondays.
Best time to visit: Lunchtime sees the biggest rush, and you’ll naturally find it busier when there are events on in Tokyo Dome or around dinner time. Aim for around 2-6pm for the quietest periods, or after 9pm for dinner.
Tips
Tsukemen Zuppa is a popular restaurant. It’s a small shop, so don’t go expecting chain-store style service and speed. Although the chef is friendly and welcoming, he’s one man running the place by himself, so be prepared to wait – whether that’s outside for a stool to free up, or inside if he’s preparing other meals.
Go in with patience and appreciation for this little slice of Tokyo ramen counter culture, it’s so worth it.
Final Thoughts
That first bowl of soy milk ramen I had in Tsukemen Zuppa is a high I’ve been chasing ever since. I’m not exaggerating here, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve tried to recreate it at home and I think my husband is sick of seeing jars of tahini and chilli oil arriving from Tesco.
This recipe from Okonomi Kitchen is the closest thing I’ve found so far. While it’s an outstanding meal in its own right (and you should make it!), it still doesn’t match the “oh wow” experience I had sitting on that worn stool at the counter of the tiny ramen shop in Tokyo.
The intimacy of the seven seat counter, the vending machine outside, and not fully knowing what to expect made the whole experience a really special part of my first trip to Tokyo.
Honestly, I envy my old colleague for being able to go here so often. If I lived nearby, I’d like to say I’d work my way through the menu and try everything, but there’s a non-zero chance I’d just become known as that weirdo with a soy milk ramen obsession.
I also noticed as I was finalising this post just how few photos I had of Tsukemen Zuppa. Not a great sign for the blog, but a very good indication of just how much I was enjoying both the food and the company.
If you’re a vegan traveller in Tokyo and you’re looking for somewhere away from the main tourist hotspots and want a slice of regular Tokyo life, I cannot sing Tsukemen Zuppa’s praises highly enough.
Who should go:
- The Cultural Immersion: Tsukemen noodles originate in Tokyo, and ramen counters are a standard sight in the city. Tsukemen Zuppa will give you that experience, while still being veggie friendly.
- The Budget Traveller: Tsukemen Zuppa is one of the most affordable restaurant meals I had in Japan, and the quality far surpasses the price you pay.
- The Patient Diner: Those who appreciate watching a chef prepare their meals in front of them, and know that sometimes, good things take time.
Who should skip it:
- The Big Group: Due to the 7 seat counter, large groups will struggle to be seated quickly or at all. On both of my visits, we were a group of 4 and had a little bit of a wait outside (around 20 minutes). This was even with my old colleague’s local knowledge of the best times to go. If you’re travelling with a large group, consider splitting up if you’re dying to try Tsukemen Zuppa.
- The Rush Hour Diner: If you are impatient or operating on a tight schedule, this might not be for you, especially considering the wait.
- Travellers with small kids: The shop is really small, so there’s no place for a buggy inside and there are no high chairs. If your kids are too little to sit at the counter, or you know they’re going to find it tough to sit still or wait, this might be better when they’re a little older.
