Lifestyle » The UK’s Best Spots for Vegan Japanese Food

The UK’s Best Spots for Vegan Japanese Food

Margarita Sachkova
Published on 28 September, 2023

As Brits’ taste for Japanese food and interest in sustainable eating are on the rise, to help locals find sushi options that respect sea life and keep oceans healthy, we’ve put together this list of our favourite spots for vegan Japanese food. PETA’s top picks will delight any foodie who loves sushi but can’t stomach the violence and cruelty of commercial fishing.

Kyoto Sushi & Grill, Birmingham

Whether you are planning to eat out or grab a takeaway, Kyoto Sushi & Grill is the place to go for the best vegan Japanese dishes in Birmingham. Enjoy the array of options including udon soup and nigiri kanpyo.

PETA’s Top Picks: The vegan roll duo and vegan sushi mix

Happy Maki, Brighton

The best thing about Happy Maki? It’s fully vegan! Choose from “salmon” sashimi, tofu “duck”, crispy “chicken”, and more.

PETA’s Top Picks: Sushi burritos, build-your-own bowls, and loaded satay pockets

Shinsen Sushi, Edinburgh

We just love Shinsen Sushi’s colourful menu. If you are into Japanese comfort food, go for the mushroom ramen, pumpkin katsu, or aubergine teriyaki.

PETA’s Top Picks: Red uramaki “inside-out rolls” filled with enoki mushrooms, sweet inari tofu, and kanpyo (pickled gourd) and temaki hand rolls packed with oshinko (daikon radish), cucumber, and kaiso seaweed

Temaki, Glasgow

Temaki is perfect for those craving Japanese flavours. Vegan options include sweet potato tempura rolls and seaweed onigiri.

PETA’s Top Picks: Spicy mushroom sushi burrito, tofu bento box, and avocado fried rice

Cottonopolis, Manchester

Located in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, in a grade II–listed building, this restaurant has an unique atmosphere and an extensive vegan menu featuring purple sprouting broccoli, teriyaki, and wasabi maki and seasonal veg tempura with kimchi.

PETA’s Top Picks: Aubergine miso and tofu gyozas, teriyaki robata asparagus with truffle mayo, and sesame and Tokyo onion rice

Sushi Me Rollin’, Newcastle

When in Newcastle, be sure to visit Sushi Me Rollin’ to try wakame gunkan, inari nigiri, and a variety of vegetable maki.

PETA’s Top Picks: The 18-piece vegan selection and “The Attenborough” uramaki

Sakushi, Sheffield

For ramen lovers, Sakushi’s kinoko udon ramen is a must! If you are searching for something a bit lighter, go for avocado tempura or pumpkin katsu uramaki rolls.

PETA’s Top Picks: Jackfruit kabayaki buns, the 30-piece bamboo selection sharing platter, and tofu and vegetable yaki

Nishimura, Swansea

Nishimura is the place to go for the best vegan rolls. If you can’t choose between the vegetable futomaki seaweed rolls and Green Dragon uramaki “inside-out” rolls – just have both. You can thank us later.

PETA’s Top Picks: The vegan-friendly sushi platter, pumpkin katsu udon noodle soup, and cucumber, avocado, and yellow pickle temaki

123V, London

The future is vegan, and top chefs like Alexis Gauthier are leading the way. The Michelin-starred chef makes some of the best sushi in London. Try V-Tuna and V-Salmon marinated to a magical effect, while leaving the fish in the sea where they belong.

PETA’s Top Picks:EVERYTHING on the Bottomless Sushi menu

Wasabi, Nationwide

From comforting katsu curries to delicious onigiri and creative sushi sets, Wasabi never disappoints. Known for its innovative approach, the brand regularly updates its extensive vegan menu, so you are always in for a treat.

PETA’s Top Picks: Yasai roll set and Yasai Dragon roll

itsu, Nationwide

We can’t get enough of itsu’s nutritious hot pots and fresh sushi sets. Did you know that you can also find some of its iconic vegan dishes – like itsu teriyaki chick’n vegan gyoza – in supermarkets?

PETA’s Top Picks: Katsu curry stir-fry style udon noodles

Why Vegan Fish?

Fish feel pain and value their lives just as humans do. They don’t want to end up being sliced up for sushi or sashimi. This should be reason enough to leave them in peace.

Fish are fascinating individuals who have long-term memories, are able to recognise themselves in a mirror, and can communicate with each other using low-frequency sounds that humans can only hear with special instruments. They are not ours to eat.

And it’s not only fish who are harmed for humans’ appetite for their flesh. The killing of “bycatch” – non-target marine animals who are accidentally caught in fishing nets – is one of the biggest threats to marine biodiversity worldwide and has resulted in widespread species extinction, habitat destruction, and irreversible damage to ocean ecosystems. Watch Seaspiracy to learn more about this horrific industry.

Not only does eating fish contribute to suffering on a massive scale, it’s also bad for our health. Fish flesh can contain lethal toxins such as mercury, and one-third of fish caught in British waters has been shown to be contaminated with plastic microbeads. By choosing a vegan option, we can protect our health, fish, and the oceans.