Ovo
Japanese
Organic
Beer/Wine
Non-veg

Serves meat, vegan options available. A traditional Japanese cuisine restaurant that specializes in tofu and yuba. The kitchen makes the tofu using organic soybeans. House specialty is a hotpot-style dish called tosuinabe, where guests can create their own yuba. The central portion of the menu consists almost entirely of vegan-friendly dishes. If there is an item that doesn't meet the vegan specifications, it can be customized by the staff upon request. Open Mon-Tue 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-9:00pm, Thu-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, Thu-Sat 5:30pm-9:00pm, Sun 5:30pm-8:30pm. Closed Wed.


Venue map for Matsumura
© OpenStreetMap contributors

7 Reviews

First Review by jbwagner

TimTimTimTim

Points +20

Vegan
24 Sep 2023

Five stars! Delicious and beautiful!

I wish the app would let me give 5 stars. We had two different traditional vegan dishes, both were so delicious. The atmosphere was gorgeous. The owner was so warm and welcoming and gave suggestions of where to go in the city. I highly recommend anyone to go here, it is so nice to find good vegan food. This place is definitely a jewel!

Pros: Vegan food, Nice atmosphere, Wonderful staff

krista.atkins

Points +42

Vegan
08 Jul 2023

Matsumura experience

A Japanese traditional restaurant. From the moment you walk along the stepping stones through the Japanese garden you feel welcomed. The tofu tasting menu was absolutely amazing using all parts of the tofu making process. Everything was beautifully presented and explained. Personalised friendly service. It was a truly wonderful experience.

Pros: Food, Atmosphere , Service

boorin221

Points +23

Mostly Veg
02 May 2023

Wonderful experience to enjoy a tofu cuisine

Me and my husband went to Matsumura on 25 April 2023 for dinner. We had a very good experience. I ordered a Yuba meal set and my husband ordered a curry rice with vegetable. The Yuba meal set includes a salad, few appetizers made from soybean, tempura vegetables (e.g. eggplant, lotus) and a hot pot. The hot pot has soybean skin, mushroom and cabbage. Miss Junko, who served us on that night, introduced every dish very clearly to us. We both enjoyed the food and the environment very much and would like to visit Matsumura again :)

Updated from previous review on 2023-05-02

Pros: Excellent food, Friendly staff, English speaking okay

irisheyes317

Points +1002

Vegan
19 Aug 2022

Authentic and decadent

This wonderful tofu restaurant takes the experience seriously by providing a taste of all tofu formats. I thoroughly enjoyed each course and take a moment to walk outside in the gorgeous courtyard. Be sure to make a reservation the day before to ensure a fully vegan meal

Pros: Superb guest service, Reasonable prices

theambrosialseeker

Points +16

Mostly Veg
16 May 2021

For those craving a traditional Japanese dining experience that is vegan-friendly and delicious

Matsumura is a shining and unique example of traditional Japanese food that is compatible with vegan and vegetarian diets without compromising on the rich flavors, joy, and culture surrounding the Japanese dining experience. The emphasis here is on experience - from the second you step into Matsumura, it's clear that you're in an environment that is both classy and incredibly warm. There's an authenticity to this restaurant, a gentle reminder that food is as much about community as it is about nourishment. It's a wonderful thing to be able to partake in a Japanese set meal, a part of Japanese culture, that doesn't take shortcuts for the sake of being vegan/vegetarian-friendly. These meals are wonderfully complete in a way that feels home-cooked and upscale at the same time. The owner is kind and inviting, and it comes as no surprise that this is a family business run by someone who genuinely cares about sharing their culture in an accessible, nutritious way. Food prepared without passion is dull on the tastebuds, but the meals at Matsumura are vibrant and comforting. The meals were large but despite the size, each dish felt fresh and nourishing in a way that is perfectly satiating without feeling heavy. The sense of balance is well-considered, and you leave the restaurant feeling refreshed. Additionally, the price is very reasonable, especially considering how much food you're getting, the quality of the food, and the lovely atmosphere to enjoy it in. I recommend this restaurant to vegans and non-vegans alike, for everyone who wants to enjoy a delicious meal.

Pros: Delicious, healthy, and filling course meal, Authentic Japanese cuisine experience, Friendly, inviting owner

BenjaminC

Points +17

Mostly Veg
04 May 2021

Incredible food and service

Eating at Matsumura was absolutely one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The various tofu dishes (including yuba, a variety of soft tofus, tofu "karaage", tofu jellies, and more) were simply spectacular, and the other dishes—such as tempura, sashimi, nimono, and chawanmushi—rivalled the quality of those at much more expensive specialty restaurants. The presentation was also beautiful, and the sets we ordered looked even better than the photos on Tabelog!

We ordered some of the cheapest set meals on the menu (¥1500-2000 each), but there was still so much variety and a ton of food, and the chef clearly gave each dish careful attention to ensure that it was perfectly cooked and balanced in flavour. I can't imagine how incredible the special courses must be!

The most impressive thing about Matsumura, however, was the service. I have never before felt so welcomed at a restaurant, and the manager Annaka-san went out of her way to accommodate us, kindly explaining the dishes in simple Japanese, giving us a free dessert when only one of our set meals included one ("it's lonely to eat dessert by yourself", she said with a smile), and even calling a taxi for us so we wouldn't need to wait outside in the heavy rain. Annaka-san explained to us that the restaurant was first opened by her parents 50 years ago, and I could really see this family-owned mentality in all aspects of Matsumura: from the way the staff treated you like a guest rather than a customer, to the pride they took in creating a perfect meal and restaurant atmosphere.

In short, I really can't recommend Matsumura enough. If you're looking for vegetarian- and vegan-friendly cuisine in Takasaki, if you're looking for an inexpensive yet incredible "elevated" shojin ryori–style meal, if you love tofu (or if your friend doesn't like tofu but you want to change their mind), or if you're simply looking for an unforgettable experience, Matsumura won't disappoint. Its location is a little difficult to get to, but I will definitely make it a priority to visit every time I'm in Takasaki.

★★★★★

Pros: Exceptional food (flavours, variety, presentation), Exceptional service, Exceptional value

jbwagner

Points +16

Mostly Veg
24 Mar 2021

Relaxing Dining Experience

Matsumura was a great dining experience. There are few restaurants I've been to where I felt the staff really cared about the customers. The owner took the time to greet us and make certain we enjoyed the food and atmosphere.

My fiancée and I ordered a traditional set with tofu they made in-house. It is, to date, the best tofu I've ever eaten. Certainly worth the trip to this restaurant. I would give them 5-stars, but the site doesn't allow it.

Pros: Excellent Tofu, Nice variety, Calming atmosphere




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