Saido
Quick info
Arrive on time — more than 15 minutes late may result in cancellation; groups of 7+ must book directly
About
Saido is a fully vegan restaurant tucked down a back alley in Jiyugaoka, a quiet, tree lined neighborhood south of Shibuya. It opened in 2018 and quickly rose to the number one spot on HappyCow's global vegan restaurant rankings. Chef Katsumi Kusumoto, who previously ran a private members only restaurant in Nishi Azabu for a decade, describes the concept as "junk washoku vegan cuisine," meaning the menu centers on the satisfying, everyday Japanese dishes people actually crave (ramen, katsudon, unagi, fried foods) rather than health focused or austere vegetable cooking. Everything is plant based, free of white sugar and chemical flavorings, and also compatible with halal and oriental vegan diets (no five pungent roots). No alcohol is used in the cooking, though vegan sake, wine, and herb cordials are available to drink. The space is small and intimate, entered through a garden shop lined with plants.
Good to know
- Lunch dishes (ramen, katsudon, vegan eel rice box, curry) start around ¥1,500 to ¥2,000, each served with soup and an amuse bouche. Dinner courses begin around ¥5,280 for seven courses.
- The steamed vegetable dish arrives with a theatrical smoke reveal and an hourglass timer. The blueberry cheesecake is served to resemble a potted plant, with the server committing to the presentation.
- Reservations typically open one month in advance, around the 10th of each month.
- The entrance is through a garden shop. Take the Central Exit from Jiyugaoka Station, head left, follow the road past the parking lot, and look for the alley.
- Closed Wednesdays. Dinner service runs Thursday through Saturday only.
More details
- Address: 2-chōme-15-10 Jiyūgaoka, Meguro City, Tokyo 152-0035, Japan