Vegan Restaurants In and Around Fukuoka

Maizuru Park is Fukuoka's Largest Backyard and home to its castle ruins.

Fukuoka is a very liveable city and an interesting one to visit. It has some good dining options, many of which are a little far from the city centre, and it's well worth the travel time to reach them.


Orientation

Fukuoka is a merger of the two former municipalities, Fukuoka and Hakata, with both names commonly used to describe the city. Most significantly, Hakata is the name given to the main station (for Shinkansens) and is the commercial hub, but Tenjin (five minutes away on the Airport Line, or a half hour walk) is the cultural and certain culinary heart of Fukuoka, especially for vegans. It would be better, if possible, to stay around that area, but the city is covered well enough by buses and the subway that transport isn't a problem at all. Note that the only "Fukuoka Station" is in fact in Toyama Prefecture.

 

Evah Dining (vegan restaurant)
The vegan heart and soul of Fukuoka is the famous Evah Dining. This classy establishment serves upmarket macrobiotic cuisine, all vegan. (It may not have been once, as noted in its older Happycow Reviews, but it is now). Sets start at under 2000 Yen, and the 2500 Yen dinner set is an absolute feast and the place to go for a fine meal out in the city. While it seems priced quite high, by the time an entree and drink is added at other veg-friendly restaurants, one can end up spending a comparable amount for a meal which doesn't compare.

Evah Dining Set Meal (2500 Yen)

Essentials (Restaurant)
092-524-8188
福岡県福岡市中央区大名1丁目10−14
Call to check if they're open if coming from afar.

Hakata Station 
Evah Dining also have a small kiosk on the first floor of Hakata Station selling delicious macrobiotic bentos (boxed meals) for very reasonable prices, with a substantial meal of several small servings costing under 1000 Yen. These are well worth taking on a trip out of the city or even to enjoy in Maizuru Park (which houses the ruins of Fukuoka Castle). They're also discounted (May 2015 update: by less than they used to be) in the late evening (around nine o'clock) so a delicious, healthy meal can be had for about 500 Yen. If coming back from a day's travels it's well worth stocking up for the following day's breakfast, but don't keep them any longer. The kiosk has recently moved, but not far. It's in Ippin Dori "street" (inside the station), not far from the Shinkansen ticket gate. If in doubt just ask at information where Evah Dining (エヴァダイニング) is.

These Evah Dining bentos are great value, especially when discounted in the evening.

Haze Rouge (vegan restaurant)

In nearby Kurume is the incredible Haze Rouge (website, Happycow). This macrobiotic restaurant serves fine vegan cuisine in a beautiful 120-year old house in the inaka (countryside). Dining is in separate rooms in the house similar to Shojin-Ryori, however it uses Western tables and chairs and utensils, and the food is also more Western / Fusion. So it's no substitute for a Shojin Ryori meal (which everyone should try in Japan at least once, preferably in Kyoto or Koyasan). Dining here is a unique experience, and with delicious, multi-course lunch sets starting at 1650 it's also excellent value. Walk-ins are welcome for lunch, but reservations are required for dinner (which are more expensive).

Essentials
Lunch: 11:30 - 2:30 (LO)
Dinner: 18:00 - 20:00 (LO)
(reservations required for dinner)
0942 27 6750
〒839-0827　福岡県久留米市山本町豊田１８４９－１

To get there, take the Nishitetsu Tenjin Omita Line from Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station, and then transfer to Bus 25, and get off at Shimono (下野) stop after about twenty minutes. The whole journey from Fukuoka, including the pleasant ten-minute walk, should take about an hour and cost about a thousand Yen. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, more money than sense or are coming from the south already, Kurume Station is also a stop on the Kyushu Shinkansen. It would of course be easier with your own wheels, but don't let the public transport put you off.





Nearby

 
The amazing Daihonzan Naritasan Kurume (Buddhist) Temple (久留米成田山) with its 62-metre high Kannnon statue . If you're there early enough (it close at 5PM) it's possible to climb up and look out the eyes of the Buddha, and to witness Buddhist Hell beneath the Buddha (500 Yen). Note that there's also another Naritasan Temple in the other Narita City in Chiba, best known for Tokyo's Narita International Airport. To get there from the restaurant it's necessary to change buses again at the Nishitetsu Bus Station.
See also Wikitravel Kurume


Veggie (vegan restaurant)
There's also a great looking vegan cafe called Veggie (船出屋) near Shishibu Station, about half an hour north of Fukuoka on the JR Kagoshima Local Line (鹿児島本線). It's essential to call before travelling out there, as they sometimes close to run their catering service. But if the photos on their website and commitment to veganism (evident by their stickers displayed outside) is anything to go by they should serve excellent vegan food. It may be the only non-macrobiotic vegan meal restaurant in the Fukuoka region.


Please note that Kebabooz, which was previously mentioned here, appears to have closed permanently.


Nanak (non-vegetarian restaurant)

Aloo Gobi and Dahl, two of the safest orders at a non-vegetarian Indian restaurant.

Nanak is one of the oldest Indian restaurants in Kyushu, and the gregarious owner from New Delhi was careful to ensure that dishes were vegan, something I can't say about many non-vegetarian restaurants in Japan (I often end up walking out without ordering when the staff don't make the effort to find out what's vegan, an experience also had in Fukuoka). Vegan options include samosas, pakoras (no egg in the batter), and the usual range of North Indian curries. Quality was good. Expect to pay about 2,500 Yen per person for a starter, main and drink. That would get a multi-course vegan feast at Evah Dining, but if you're looking for an Indian meal then this is probably the best option. But if you're headed to Tokyo in your travels, I recommend saving your Indian fix for a vegetarian Indian restaurant.

Essentials
福岡市中央区舞鶴1-1-4 小財ビル2F
092-713-7900
Weekdays: 11:00-15：30, 17:30-22:30
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 11:00-22:30