Silly me didn't think about it from the beginning, but as a mini-mission in my final weeks in Japan I've decided to check out as many vegetarian/vegan restaurants in Tokyo as I possibly can. Eating out here is not expensive in general, and particularly these places tend to be reasonably cheap. And I love being able to pick anything off the menu without having to ask "niku ga haitte imasuka?" - is there meat in it?
My first venture, together with Kana, was thus Kuumba du Falafel in Shibuya. It's located about 15 minutes' walk from the station, on an obscure part of a random little street on the opposite side of the main walking path. Outside there is no sign with the name, and the exterior is made from simple wooden panels with absolutely no indication of its nature. According to Kana, the owner said this is because he just wants people to come and enjoy the food - everything else is superfluous. Fair enough.
It was a lovely place! Typical for these smaller independent places is a great atmosphere and a casual setting. Kuumba du Falafel is literally only what you see above: a bar disk behind which the guy cooks. Some funky calm music sounded from the speakers, and it's the perfect place to come with a friend.
Full pita with falafel and hoummus, lettuce, tomato, some parsley sauce and cucumber, plus some other things I don't even know what it was. 1,000 yen for this yummyness, and it makes you very full. The price may seem high to Europeans/Americans, but this is proper stuff - quality in each aspect! Plus, you can't find falafel elsewhere in Tokyo (at least from my experience).
He also sold dried fruit in jars on the counter. We sat in front of these the whole time and could not quite resist the juicy look of the dates, figs, and mango. They were all unsweetened, which is unusual, and after a generous tastings of a few items we went for the figs and dried white mulberries (if you haven't tried, do - so so good!). 100 g for about 800 yen, so chotto expensive but it was definitely worth the money!
Big ones: figs; small: mulberries.
If you are in Tokyo, a fan of falafel, and in search for a good evening - check this place out. Here's a link: http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=29851 to their page on Happy Cow.net, your best source for veggie food anywhere in the world!
Jo x
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