Job Discussion Forums

[denise]

I will be heading to Niigata in June, and I've heard mixed things about how I, a vegan, will be able to cope. How easy/hard is it to get by on a vegan diet? I don't speak/read Japanese (yet!), so reading labels will be a challenge. Also, I'm envisioning some potentially awkward social situations--being invited out and having to politely refuse without offending anyone. Any advice?

Many thanks!
--Denise

[Glenski]

Denise,

I am not vegan nor vegetarian, and I hope you can get some sound advice from people who are.

What I know is this. If you are vegan, you will probably have a hard time eating in restaurants, certainly in mid-sized cities. Fish sauce or meat sauce (pork, chicken and beef) is used in the majority of dishes, and to ask a waiter if something contains meat is looking for trouble because he will probably consider meat to be chunks of visible matter, not broth. The cook will, too. By vegan, I assume you mean no fish, eggs, or dairy products as well. That's what my vegan Americans say, anyway. Not necessarily so in Japan. Some eat fish and say they are vegetarian. Large cities have specialized restaurants for vegans, and there is info you can get on a simple Internet search.

If you want to

cook vegan dishes yourself, you will fare better. Tofu reigns supreme here, but various beans may be difficult to find locally. Places like the Foreign Buyers Club or larger cities with Costco stores will help out. If you really want to come here, I strongly suggest that you plan your cooking/eating strategies well beforehand.

As for going out with people, you'd better let them know very soon what you can and cannot eat. They will respect it if they know beforehand, but it will be terribly awkward at the table, as you have already assumed. I don't drink alcohol, for example, and everyone knows it, so they have no problem with me drinking soda or tea. Of course, they have questions about my aversion to alcohol, but that doesn't stop them from asking me out. Dining is a little more tricky situation.

[Celeste]

As Glenski already said, you will have a hard time eating out. You will also have a hard time explaining to people the intricacies of your diet. I am allergic to shellfish and squid-type things, but not fish. People often try to serve me things I am allergic to and say "but it is only small shrimp" or "just take the crab meat out of the soup" (I patiently explain that it is not quite as simple as that, and if they do not know me well, they just think that I am a very fussy eater.)

There are a few Buddhists here who are at least vegetarian, but they are rare. A lot of things at restaurants will sound veggie friendly, but are not. One friend of mine ordered a "vegetable salad" off a menu, and it was a chopped ham and mayonaise mixture on top of some lettuce.

Take heart, if you are willing to cook for yourself (from scratch- I wouldn't trust the instant foods to be free of animal products) then you will be okay.

[Guest]

I'm a vegetarian, though I eat fish. To begin with I found it difficult. In my first week one of my students brought me a big greasy, bacon burger from McDonalds on the belief I would already be missing McDonalds. It was such I kind thought I ate it, though I hadn't eaten meat for several years. She then invited me to dinner, which was very meat based and I felt really uncomfortable not wanting to eat meat, but also not wanting to offend her. She eventually found out from another student. I just didn't know how to tackle it. In hindsight I would have been clear from the start even if it meant initially offending someone.

As I vegan I think you will have more trouble. Shopping will not be too much of a problem. You will have no problem recognising vegetables and tofu (I hope you like tofu). Socially though it may be difficult especially eating out as Glenski said. If you are invited to someones house and they know in advance they will probably accommodate you with some salads - and tofu. Aside of budhist monks there are not too many vegetarians in Japan. Though they've heard of it they might not understand your motives and as a foreigner you will be fair game for probing questions.

[run-jp]

All these comments are true about the omnipresence of seafood,and now meat in Japan.
Still, if you come, it is possible to buy tofu in any super. Soy milk buy the liter is called "tonyu". dont forget the adventure of eating "natto" !!
Its super cheap, fermented soybeans. found in small styrofoam boxes. the kuro(black) natto is more mild.
Always keep it cool...or beware the smell!! As a runner, I liked the big bags of soy powder, we could finally buy at the Jusco stores, to make protein drinks. Do you eat eggs? if so they are cheap (for japan staples)
Brocolli, eggplants, many veggies are priceier. try the J-pumpkin!! deep fried, as soup. baked, in stews, I loved it. Margirine, olive oil, canola, grapeseed oil are common. In Sapporo, I got stuff like thai coconut milk and couscous from Carrot outlet stores. Beware that most beans and grains (oats, gronola )are rarer & pricier. raisin bran? only mail order I think.
You d best find a web/mail order place (they exist) 'cos you wont find your
"crunchy" type markets here. Import section of Marui stores are helpful.
remeber this country has little growing space, and very small ethnic groups, so logically less choice.
good luck.

[G Cthulhu]

Being vege in Japan (let alone vegan) is a challenge, but not impossible.

There are various web resources available (search through google) but you should also know that the AJET organisation (related to the JET Programme) has a group devoted to the subject.

They publish *very* good guides for vegetarians and vegans that cover things like explaining it so people understand, food labels, places to get food (like the tengu natural food store) and whatnot.

You can contact the Vegetarian group through the SIG Liason officer at AJET. Visit www.ajet.net for the address.

[Sherri]

I can recommend a great website for vegetarian food in Japan:

http://www.alishan-organic-center.com/en/index.html

[denise]

Thank you for all of your awesome tips!! I'm sure I will figure out how to get by...

--denise

[wix]

Happy Cow is a great website. See the link below. http://www.happycow.net/asia/japan/index.html