Japanese
Beer/Wine
Non-veg

Serves meat, vegan options available. Traditional Japanese set in the house where the samurai lived. The hostess herself is cooking. Has separate vegan menu. Drinks and sake. Open Mon-Sat 5:00pm-10:30pm.


Venue map for Renkon-Ya
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23 Reviews

First Review by ibrinin

Nasuvampa

Points +982

Vegan
24 May 2024

5/5 So good!!

What a wonderful and authentic izakaya experience, one of the best dinners in Japan! We came here since the queues for the fully vegan places were INSANE. But in the end, we were not disappointed at all.

We ordered almost all of their vegan dishes and everything was great! The lotus root was quite spicy for me, but it was the higlight for my partner. Their fried tofu was sold out, but we tried all of the other tofus - absolutely delicious! I’m so happy we came here.

Updated from previous review on 2024-05-24

Pros: Delicious tofu, Clearly labeled vegan options, Nice ambiance

FrozenStrawberryMrgrt

Points +40

Vegan
20 May 2024

Home cooked Japanese meal

Very small but cosy place to eat. The owner is very friendly and accommodating. The food is good and there are several vegetarian/vegan options on the menu. You can pay with a card.

Pros: Very friendly and accommodating, Japanese eating experience, Served as soon when it is ready

Cons: Not much space at the bar for tall people.

kaleifornian

Points +194

Vegan
23 Apr 2024

great find

after many unsuccessful tries to dine elsewhere that was fully vegan, i stumbled upon renkon-ya. as i arrived into my seat, a woman gets up from her table and as she's about to leave, mentions to the chef that she came here 7 years ago and that she was so happy renkon-ya is around (more on this later). renkon-ya is not fully vegan but a good portion of the menu can be vegan. i opted for the fried tofu, cold tofu, hot tofu, eggplant, cucumbers and a few others but i can't remember them now. OH! the lotus root🤤 oh, how i dreamt of that lotus root after... it's fried lotus root with some kind of wasabi sauce bake into it... it is... sooooo good! all in all, was very happy to find this cute little spot in a time of need. also, as i was leaving, i asked the chef how long this place had been open per that customer's comment... 75 years! congratulations, renkon-ya and cheers to another 75!🤍

FrankHpunto

Points +685

Vegan
16 Apr 2024

Cozy restaurant with lots of options

Found this place to get dinner with non-vegan friends. Everybody was happy and loved the cute restaurant.

ChristianLoeffler-Vu

Points +58

Vegan
08 Apr 2024

Absolutely excellent

Such a great experience. Great menu of several different dishes. They are all small plates so order a couple of things. This is quite a small restaurant but has the best traditional Japanese vibe. The staff don't speak much English but the menu is well laid out with many vegan options. Highly recommend if you can get in. We did not get a reservation but we're lucky to be seated.

Pros: Fast service , Incredible vibe, Great food

dermo

Points +15

Mostly Veg
27 Mar 2024

Top stuff

Five stars. Clearly labelled vegan and vegetarian stuff on the menu. 11ish vegan dishes. Delicious food, cooked in front of you. Fast and good service.

Dmnk

Points +54

Vegan
19 Mar 2024

Pure Authenticity

Authentic small and cosy restaurant runned by an old kind lady! Definitely worth a visit!

Biancajakon

Points +318

Vegan
11 Jan 2024

Great experience

Veg options are clearly labelled which makes it easy. The atmosphere is gorgeous. Really great dinner.

Dinoaimz

Points +27

Vegetarian
21 Nov 2023

Cute Izakaya, delicious food!

Very cute Izakaya, food was incredible. Lots of small dishes so opportunity to try a lot. Clear English menu with lots of vegetarian options.

Pros: Agedashi tofu, Shitake mushrooms

KrishnaPrahasith

Points +64

Vegetarian
21 Sep 2023

Healthy food and hot sake

Very old izakaya with many veg options and hot sake.
Great location for night life in Kyoto.self sufficient English menu that you can order from without speaking in English.

Pros: Majority are veg options that are clearly marked, Great location and historic place. Since 1950 , Healthy, local flavors and has English Menu

Cons: Small place, Very limited English but the menu is sufficient

JLMc

Points +49

Vegetarian
01 Sep 2023

Excellent Delicious Vegetarian Options

The menu very clearly marked in English with what was vegetarian, what could be made vegetarian and where things like butter were used. The food was absolutely delicious, and they were great at accommodating my other dietary requirements (no onion or garlic) which can be difficult. Definitely a must-do if you're in Kyoto

Updated from previous review on 2023-09-01

Gulbasaur

Points +32

Vegan
30 Aug 2023

No frills, all taste

Clearest menu I've seen in Japan, with an apology in perfect English about their English. Plenty of vegan options. Food made in front of you. Simple but delicious. Mix of locals and tourists.

This little place punches so far above its weight, it's not even funny. Best food I've had in my stay.

Pros: Clear menu, Cozy feel, Independent business

vdinamani

Points +23

Vegetarian
06 Jul 2023

Home cooked meal

Tiny place but charming and delicious food. Authentic!

Pros: Blistered peppers, Lotus root

AitorBegeta

Points +1771

Vegan
14 Jun 2023

Highly recommended

A very charming place, with very friendly staff who speak some English, with many well-marked vegan options on the menu, and delicious dishes. The tofu, the shitake mushrooms and some miso balls with vegetables that we took, spectacular. Great sake. It is advisable to reserve.

Claire.knop

Points +129

Vegan
07 Jun 2023

Authentic cuisine with vegan options

Beautiful flavours in this home-cooked food. I had the deep fried tofu with aubergine and rice. Absolutely delicious. You need to point at what you would like on the menu (or attempt to say in Japanese- the pronunciation is on the menu) it was pretty easy. Would highly recommend.

Pros: Inexpensive

Cabeto

Points +380

Vegan
29 May 2023

Amazing traditional food

This place has a great atmosphere, the chef prepares everything in front of you. Vegan options are easily identifiable. Small portions so we literally ordered every single option😄staff does not speak a lot of english but they are very friendly. Reservation is necessary, we asked the receptionist at our hotel to call and make the reservation. Enjoy !!

SaraSeylani

Points +337

Vegan
01 Apr 2023

Amazing

Such a sweet little place to give you an authentic Japanese eating experience. Amazing prices and loved the tapas style dishes so that you could try many things. Was a great option for vegans and non vegans alike!

Pros: Good prices, Authentic, Vegan menu

Cons: Some dishes lacked salt

bumblebee11

Points +21

Vegetarian
28 Feb 2023

Amazing experience!

Traditional Japanese vegetarian/ vegan food izakaya style, served at its best, by a very hospitable mother- daughter duo. Peaceful, serene atmosphere in a traditional Japanese setting

Pros: Lots of vegan vegetarian options, Kind and hospitable hostess/chef, Simple menu also available in English

Cons: Small space so reserving in advance would be idea

Mirela6

29 Mar 2023

RebeAmz

Points +13

Vegetarian
03 Jan 2023

Very special place

Delicious food. Plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Host thanked us for coming as we were leaving, very special experience.

juliall

Points +32

Vegan
23 Feb 2022

Would give 5 stars if I could! My favorite place in Kyoto.

The leeks and mushrooms were delicious and everything else too. Such a nice authentic place

stoyani

Points +268

Vegan
07 Feb 2020

Authentic Japanese, locals, delicious

The place is a very authentic little restaurant. When I visited, I didn't see any tourists there, only locals.

They didn't speak English, but had a hand-written English menu with vegan items clearly marked. Small plates, so you can order the lot and taste everything; really delicious, home-cooked style and intimate atmosphere. Highly recommended.

Pros: A lot of vegan dishes, clearly marked on the menu, Delicious, Authentic, intimate atmosphere

Cons: Staff doesn't speak English (not really an issue)

LoïcGaillard

Points +24

Vegan
25 Oct 2019

Amazing traditional food and local products

Plenty of veggie & vegan options. Highly recommend the lotus roots!! Great service and lovely staff.

ibrinin

Points +11

Mostly Veg
18 Oct 2019

Delicious food in traditional Izakaya

Definitely worth a visit. Lots of vegan and vegetarian options, as well as fish and some meat on the menu. I would give this place 5 stars except that it is not fully vegetarian.




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