Vegan Soba Tokyo Ayler
Quick info
About
Ayler is a fully vegan soba shop on Inokashira Dori, between Shimokitazawa and Sasazuka stations. It opened in December 2024 and positions itself as the first dedicated vegan soba specialty shop in Tokyo. The name comes from jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler, which tracks with the vibe: the owner plays records through vintage McIntosh speakers and occasionally asks what you'd like to hear. The space is minimal, just three small tables and an open kitchen, run as a one person operation. The soba is nihachi style (80% buckwheat, 20% wheat), served hot or cold, with a plant based tsuyu made from kombu dashi instead of the bonito flakes used at conventional soba shops. It doubles as a coffee stand in the mornings, with hand picked Brazilian beans and an oat milk option.
Good to know
- Full menu includes tempura soba, curry soba, wakame soba, yuba soba, and zaru (cold dipping) soba. Tempura is kakiage style, mixed vegetables in batter, not individual pieces. Extra noodles ¥100.
- Vegan sweets sometimes available (whole wheat scones, gluten free rice flour chocolate cake) depending on the day.
- Drinks include natural Austrian white wine (Gruner Veltliner), unpasteurized sake from Niigata, coffee, and oat milk lattes.
- Bar sessions held on full and new moons outside regular hours. Instagram (@__ayler__) posts current dates.
- Open 9:00 to 16:00, closed Sundays and Mondays. Fifteen minutes from Shimokitazawa Station or eight minutes from Sasazuka Station.
More details
- Address: 4-chōme-24-15 Kitazawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo 155-0031, Japan