Ain Soph Journey is a vegan eatery in Tokyo known for its course menu. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)
A rustic restaurant in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, known for its bustling clubs, karaoke rooms and tall skyscrapers, serves an all-vegan menu in a quaint, quiet setting.
Ain Soph Journey occupies all three floors of a building covered on the outside with greenery. The restaurant’s name derives from the Hebrew word “ain soph,” which means infinity.
There are several locations, but the Shinjuku restaurant is the birthplace of Ain Soph’s Heavenly Vegan pancakes. For diners hungry enough, the pancakes come as a course, along with other course meals, including the Journey and the Sanctuary.
I ordered the Sanctuary for 3,190 yen, or about $22.87. The meal starts off with a salad parfait filled with sliced lotus root, beets, onion, tomato, lettuce, cabbage, corn, cucumber and green beans served with a miso walnut dip sauce. The fresh vegetables tasted as if they came directly from the garden. The course comes with a side of tomato soup.
My entrée, karaage soy chicken, arrived about 20 minutes later. It was crunchy and cooked to perfection.
Handmade tortillas on the side come with three dips: vegan sour cream, salsa and hummus. The tortillas were light and fluffy, and the salsa had a light, spicy kick.
Vegan tiramisu from Ain Soph Journey in Tokyo's bustling Shinjuku district. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)
The last course was the dessert of the day, which is served with either coffee, black tea or herbal tea.
I chose tiramisu, which arrived picture perfect in a small Mason jar and with a tiny wooden spoon. Not only did it look perfect, but it tasted perfect, light and creamy, and impossibly vegan.
The herbal tea was a great, refreshing end to the meal.
Ain Soph Journey
Location: 3-8-9 Shinjuku Q Building B1, 1F, 2F, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 160-0022
Hours: Open 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday; 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
Prices: Lunch sets start at 1,270 yen; course meals start at 2,900 yen.
Dress: Casual
Directions: A 5-minute walk from Nishi-Shinjuku-Gochome Station.
Hours: Open 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for lunch and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for dinner Monday through Friday; and 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for lunch and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for dinner Saturday and Sunday
Information: Phone: 03-3377-9152; Online: ain-soph.jp
