Vegetarian (Vegan) Café Ren Ginkakuji
- Moon Bath
- Feb 10, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 17, 2024
Where: Kyoto, Kitashirakawa
Type: All vegan
Gluten Free Options: Ask
Information: https://cafe-ren-ginkakuji.therestaurant.jp/
Location
This vegan café Ren Ginkakuji is located near Ginkakuji Temple and Philosopher's Path.
*The official name is "vegetarian cafe", however, they do not use any animal product so we chose to refer as vegan.
The northern part of Kyoto City is a tourist area, but it's slightly different from the center of the city.
The area around the café is relatively less touristy, with Kyoto University and the Philosopher's Path and many bookstores.
The area has been inhabited by rich people for a long time, and a stroll through the area will reveal many different types of luxury houses, both old and new.
It's not an upscale residential area of the rich, but rather a very interesting place in terms of design and architecture, and you can feel the cultural atmosphere.
It's not surprising that the area has attracted scholars and artists.
Exterior, interior
It's a rather small cafe with a small floor.
When I went there, there was no one on the second floor, so I felt very comfortable and relaxed.
The interior of the restaurant is not trendy or fashionable, but has a very natural atmosphere.
You could say that it is a common atmosphere, but I liked it because it did not feel half-heartedly designed or assertive, in a better sense than other restaurants alike.
Not only vegan stores, but for some reason most of the nature-oriented stores have cat motifs or ethnic items are here and there in kind of hidden spots.
The view by the window is just a road, which I kinda liked as well.
Concept
There is a very strong animal protection argument and pamphlets are placed there.
Most vegan restaurants seem like more focused on books about yoga and health sort of stuff, but I’m not a health-conscious vegan so I like that they have awareness on animal rights.
Of course, they are conscious of health, and they seem to be particular about using medicinal herbs and not using five pungent roots.
Dishes
I ordered the soy meat cutlet bowl. It also came with medicinal soup. I personally liked it a lot.
To be honest, I often find that naturalistic vegan restaurants tend to have similar tastes, but I felt like the seasonings were unique and different here and tasted good.
The cutlet bowl had apples in it, but I did not feel that they were added as an afterthought, but as a part of the overall balance of the dish.
The medicinal soup also had an unusual flavor that I enjoyed.
Information
The restaurant is open from 11:30a.m. to 8:00p.m., which is very good since it is open for lunch and dinner time.
Also, there is one chain restaurant in Wakayama and three in Kyoto City.
I think I will visit other places besides the Ginkakuji branch in the future. The price is not particularly cheap, as a bowl of soy meat cutlet costs 1,380 yen. I am not sure if they are completely gluten-free, but you can change the noodles for ramen to bean-starch vermicelli or other gluten-free noodles.
My impression of Ren Ginkakuji
The food is very good and, in my personal opinion, is top class. It’s not a fashionable kind of place but is very attractive as a restaurant. It’s a shame that the place is somewhat small and far from my house, but I would like to visit there again.
Written by: Milo
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