Serves meat, vegan options available. Despite Hokkaido being a land of many farms, it's difficult to find pure vegetarian food in Sapporo. This restaurant is located in the basement of a building on the north side of the "Minami 1 Nishi 5" block, southwest of Sapporo Station. The vibe is very Japanese with traditional wooden floor seating. The menu features organic vegetable dishes plus soy meat versions of Japanese katsu pork cutlets and kara-age chicken nuggets. Vegan dishes and vegan desserts are the kitchen's specialty. Has brown rice. Menu available in English, and staff speak some English. Also hosts cooking classes. Confirmed closed Oct 2018.
19 Reviews
First Review by RickH
geoffmatters
Points +190
These people get it. - Edit
After some bad experiences in Sapporo with "veggie friendly" restaurants that really weren't, a joy to find this place. Most of the simple menu is vegan, with a few egg and meat dishes if your dining companions are into that sort of thing, and no surprise meat or dairy hiding unmarked in menu items. Could do a full meal here, or treat it as an upscale bar with veggie dishes to munch on.
Read moreGuest
ChanFannyelspeth
Points +35
A good try at Iki Laboratory - Edit
Nice staff - the restaurant is supposed to close at 21:00 but since I was alone, I was welcomed to go in even it was around 21:10.
Read moreTried the ‘vegetable steak’ at Iki Laboratory - the chef has kept a bit of rawness to make it feel like cutting a steak with a knife and fork. The Nagaoka style brown rice is chewy and yum!
Lovely Ginger Amazake - organic ginger + sweet sake made from organic malted Rice.
Pros: Nice staff
Cons: Relatively small portion
Guest
torgerduranna
Points +48
Nice place, good food - Edit
The place was very cozy, although a bit hard to find. Plenty of vegan options on the menu. If you're sharing, I would recommend getting both the soy nuggets and the steak vegetables.
Read moreThey have a menu in English and the waitor speaks English as well.
Pros: Many vegan options
Guest
WildGreen
Points +17
A Pleasant Lunch - Edit
I came here for lunch as it was walking distance from were I was staying. A bit tricky to find, but delightful once I did! We sat on traditional tatami mats and had a simple, but flavorful meal. There were three set lunches to choose from and each came with a small fresh side salad that (for me) made the meal!
Read moreA very casual, dimly lit, subterranean space, with attentive waitstaff. I’d go back for sure!
Guest
IrisHickman
Points +26
Great experience and food! - Edit
We went there for a romantic dinner and was very pleasantly surprised! We sat on traditional tatami mats with pillows and was served little entrees with our drinks. The food was delicious and in share plates. The service was amazing. Definitely recommend! Amazing vegan food!
Read moreGuest
LiTsungYuan
Points +51
還可以，方便素 - Edit
我覺得對台灣人吃純素在味道上可能不太能接受，方便素很OK，素食的選擇性算多，可以吃飯糰和炸馬鈴薯，小菜類有一個醃豆腐，很像豆腐乳，不像台灣味道很重，反而清爽。
Read more沒東西吃的話只能來這裡吃吃看。
PS.小貴
Pros: 很多酒類
Guest
Shauna333
Points +676
Amazing Experience - Edit
I've been to IKI Laborotory a few times on two previous visits to Sapporo, and I can't get enough! The staff are so knowledgeable about what is vegan (last time I went, in February 2017, there was even a menu in English, with clear labelling). They made recommendations and were so helpful! They even made up bento boxes for daytrips to Otaru. Everything I ate was delicious, especially chips made from 3 types of Hokkaido potato, and sweetcorn tenpura. So so good! I love it here.
Read morePros: Great location, Delicious food, Friendly staff
Cons: A bit expensive
Guest
Jocie
Points +39
oriental vegan - Edit
This place is great! Oriental vegan options available (v. Limited). Tiny little place underground and down a small hallway. Second to last shop on the left. Staff have some English. Counter dining and traditional Japanese style dining available.
Read moreThe locals say it's the best vego place in Sapporo. A little oasis for Vegos in a seafood heavy city. Apparently the ramen is only available on weekdays. But vego ramen!!!
Pros: cosy, friendly vibe., some meat options (for your carnivorous friend)
Cons: tricky to find - look for the symbol on illuminate
Guest
maltman23
Points +6560
Very good. Open late. - Edit
Plenty of vegan options. All the ones we had are really tasty. The staff was currently and helpful. They had an English menu.
Read morePros: This vegan options, open late
Guest
freesiaoriental
Points +149
Really delicious soy meat choices - Edit
Came for dinner. Spent around 5000 yen for 5 dishes and 2 drinks. Kind of pricey for the portions but really good juicy soy meat dishes (katsu and karaage) and futomaki. Nice interiors and kind staff.
Read morePros: Yummy soy meats, Opens til late
Cons: Pricey for the portions, Not that many veggie choices
Guest
podcastgirl
Points +94
Tasty - Edit
Only bento for weekday lunch. We were glad we went back for dinner. The staff was very friendly and they had English menu. The fried "chicken" wasn't exactly what I had in mind but tasty nonetheless. And they have vegan ramen.
Read moreGuest
JaqVeganWriter
Points +141
Best meal in Sapporo - Edit
I did not imagine the best vegan meal I will have in Japan will be in a non-vegan restaurant. It is a macrobiotic restaurant though, which gives importance to flavor. And what flavor it had!
Read moreI ordered the tofu preserved in miso (which tasted like cream cheese), the brown rice that was fermented with adzuki beans that was so soft and chewy, and the pickled appetizer (I forgot what they called it) was unexpectedly tasty.
It is the most expensive meal I had in Japan though but so worth it.
Pros: great food, great staff who explained the food, their own vegan menu
Cons: expensive, hard to find
Guest
chocoholicPhilosophe
Points +865
Amazing food - Edit
I came here with an omni Japanese friend while we were in Sapporo for the snow festival, and we didn't have trouble getting a table. It was my first experience with macrobiotic food, and I was seriously impressed.
Read moreThey had an English menu, on which vegan items were clearly marked. Some items are also marked "oriental vegetarian", I asked about that, and those items were vegan, and also did not include onion, garlic etc. Unfortunately, the English menu wasn't entirely up to date, but the waitress was happy to clarify any differences. She had reasonable English, and clearly understood veganism, so it was easy to determine what was safe to eat. After checking with the waitress, we determined on ordering multiple dishes to share, as we were advised that a single dish would be on the small side for a meal.
We had the miso "cream cheese", which, contrary to the description, did not taste quite like cream cheese as it had a strong miso flavour, but it was absolutely amazing in its own right; karaage (deep fried "chicken"), which came with some deep fried root vegetables, which was probably the best mock meat I've ever eaten, and the croquettes, which were also really good, just not as good as the other food. We also had a free starter, which was amazing, it contained the best piece of carrot I've ever eaten. My friend also had a chicken dish which I did not share, while I ate slightly more than half of each of the other 3 dishes, and this felt like about the right amount of food.
Then of course, we had to order dessert. I had the chocolate cake (I'm afraid I can't really remember the details), which was ok but nothing special, and my friend had a crème brulee (also vegan), which I tasted and thought was better than my cake.
I also had a Yuzu amazake drink, which I think was seasonal. It was really unusual but also delicious.
The meal for two people was expensive by Japanese standards, but it seemed very reasonable given the quality of the food, and it was positively cheap by Australian standards.
Pros: Amazing food, English menu, Knowledgeable staff
Cons: English menu not entirely up to date
Guest
necius
Points +506
Nice macrobiotic restaurant near Odori Park. - Edit
We arrived for dinner at Iki Laboratory after a long day of sightseeing in Sapporo, and they were full. I decided I liked the look of the place, so I made a reservation and we came back a few days later.
Read moreThe food was good. I had soy-meat Karaage (Japanese style fried 'chicken'), and it was delicious. The servings weren't huge, but the quantity of food was sufficient.
The place had a cosy feel to it. There's not a lot of seating, and it always seemed pretty full, so it may be advisable to book in advance. They do have an English menu, that clearly tells you what dishes are Vegan, but you may have to ask for it, as not all servers seem to know it exists.
If you're looking for Vegan food around Odori Park, this place may be your best bet.
Pros: Good food, Clearly labeled vegan options, Location
Cons: Busy
Guest
iwanttofu
Points +45
Very nice lunch set - Edit
There is not a lot of choice around in central Sapporo for the traveling veggie. On the day we arrived, while taking a lunchtime walk around to orientate ourselves, we went to this little basement restaurant near the Tokyu Hands.It was easy to find and well signposted outside. cute place, japanese style floor seating. my companion grumbled about having to remove his big boots. the lunch menu was in japanese but with my bad japanese and some basic english translations they provided on a separate paper, we ordered a lunch set. the staff were nice, spoke no english (pretty normal for Hokkaido, so come prepared with at least some phrases if you are picky.) it was very nice, the fake meat stew dish was my favourite. my only regret is not going here at dinner time, could have had some crappy pasta for lunch instead. there was a very exciting array of pickles and sakes around, would have liked to get into those. so, yes, thumbs up, go eat here.
Read morePros: good lunch set, tasty rice and pickles, friendly staff
Cons: no english
Guest
eatinggreen
Points +608
Great little find - Edit
We went here twice - once at night, the other for lunch. The evening meal was great. So many options, lots of veges, good volume per dish, good flavours, a decent drink list... and importantly, the food is organic so it's actually, well, food.
Read moreThe lunch experience wasn't as good. The only option is the set lunch and maybe we were out of luck but it was just rice with various forms of beans as accompaniment, not nearly enough balance. Admittedly though the price was reasonable and we enjoyed watching some local salarymen nearly fall off their non-seat (it's a sit on floor affair) when they realised there were no animal products on the menu (lunch is totally vegan).
The ambiance here is typical izakaya style - something unusual for organic / veg places. The fact that they also serve meat is actually a plus in many ways as it means you can dine there with omnivores. Only wish there were more places like this in Tokyo and our social lives would be so much better. Oh yes - and they're open late.
Pros: lots of vege options - with real veges, organic ingredients, casual, laid-back izakaya vibe
Cons: didn't like the type of oil they use, lunch was pretty uninspired
Guest
Papytofu
Points +20
One of the few vegan-friendly of Sapporo - Edit
Very difficult to find as it is in the basement of the building it is worth to find. The atmosphere is pleasant and the staff, that doesn't really speaks english but is really kind and helpful, knows what it is to be vegan. A lot of options made from soy and other choices. However, portions tend to be on the small side. I would recommend it for people who want a change from self-catering, raw food or indian food (the only options here in Sapporo)
Read morePros: Vegan conscious, Staff is helpful, Moderately expensive
Cons: Hard to find, Dishes are quite small, Quite small place
Guest
JesseD
Points +836
Great Vegan-friendly Restaurant - Edit
This restaurant is a must-visit while in Sapporo. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and they have an English menu (and the staff spoke good English too). Their large variety of vegan dishes are labelled vegan on the menu (they also label "oriental vegetarian" = vegan + no onion or garlic, for Buddhists). My potato salad, cutlets, soy meat balls and parfait for dessert were all delicious. Servings are quite small, so it's best to order a few dishes (per person) but for such great food it's still very good value. I'll be back while I'm in Sapporo.
Read morePros: good vegan range, centrally located, warm, welcoming atmosphere
Cons: small portions (but still good value)
Guest
RickH
Points +93
Friendly and helpful - traditional Japanese - Edit
Being vegan in Sapporo was presenting a bit of a challenge. When I eventually found this lovely place (from the outside the only clue in English is the word "laboratory" in blue, on a sign for about 10 businesses). To find it, you go through a single glass door, down a flight of stairs and along a corridor, rather different to Europe or the US!
Read moreInside, warm, friendly and helpful staff guide you to your seat (you can sit on the floor, traditional Japanese style, or cheat, as I did with you legs going below the false floor).
I started with Avocado in a wonderful dressing, followed by Roasted organic vegetables (locally grown), and the following night Fried Tofu, and both times with a delicious fermented rice - great! (and not a taste of fish there at all!)
Pros: Excellent central location, Friendly staff, Reasonable choice
Cons: Hard to find, Not especially cheap
Guest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 0 times.