Daily life revolves around handwritten lists. Lists of Berlin and Paris vegan places, people, easy-to-work coffee shops. Because soon the travel dates will arrive, and I want to be as prepared as possible to talk, visit, and write efficiently. If you know any, please send them my way. They’ll be added to my curated lists with your signature.

Lists of questions to ask vegans: What are the myths about veganism and fixed ideas you’d like to transform? How do your vegan lifestyle and food choices differ between Berlin and Bodrum, what are the biggest contrasts in terms of availability, options, and attitudes toward veganism in both cities? Lists of questions I’ve been asked: What about roadkill, wouldn’t you eat it? No. And mushrooms, they’re neither plant nor animal. Yes. And figs, you know they rely on wasps for pollination in a process called mutualism. Not all figs and this happens naturally, without human intervention. Lists of London neighborhood guides: Dalston in progress; and topics to be written: The Myths and Wonders of Tofu. 

I love ticking off visited places, adding new ones I hear about, starring the most preferred ones, and finally, of course, sharing them. This week, while crossing off one item, a new list appeared on its own: Japanese Culinary Institutions to discover in London when you can’t go to Tokyo, Fukuoka, Kyota or Osaka.

Here I start

1. Tofu Agebitashi-Donburi at Koya Ko, Hackney. 

2. Just perfection: Vegetable yakiudon noodles at IMA, Exmouth Market. 

3. Daily lunch set with miso soup, salted kombu rice balls, and age (fried tofu) udon at Toconoco, De Beauvoir. 

Care to contribute yours?

Here’s a sneak peek at our fifteenth issue before you dive in:

The Place: Serenity Now. Itadaki Zen.
The Recipe: One of the pioneering vegan cooking channels: So Vegan.
The Plate: A must taste: The Kimchi Face-Plant sandwich at the Chatsworth Bakehouse.

If you’re just joining us, here’s a link to our previous issues. Send me your questions about veganism at [email protected] so I can research, dig deeper, and come up with some mind-opening thoughts.

Hazal

Serenity Now. Itadaki Zen.

Words by: Hazal Yılmaz

Lately, I’ve been talking to a lot of people about their upcoming trips to Japan. Some stick to old habits, asking friends or fellow travelers, while others rely on their ChatGPT assistant to plan the perfect itinerary, with local gems and must-see spots for first-timers. This has taken over my daily conversations, and now my Instagram feed is filled with Kyoto-based jean brands, Tokyo izakaya suggestions, and Shimokitazawa spots, which I learned is an indie and vinyl-focused listening bar.

While writing this article, I overheard a chat at the next table: “In Fukuoka, Daimyo district,” they said. I couldn’t catch the rest. When you can’t go to Japan on a whim, what might a Londoner do? I wonder. Follow Japan House London’s program. The Craft of Carpentry exhibition, which celebrates the tools and craftsmanship behind Japan’s temples and shrines, runs until July 6th. Have a Sunday listening session at Spiritland or Space Talk. Flip through magazines at MagCulture or Gosh! Comics. Get to Refill Therapy in Hackney Wick for some Japanese rice crackers. Go to Kanpai in Bermondsey for sake. Have a bite of kinpira, salted kombu, spicey takana or ume rice balls at Toconoco in the afternoon. Or, in my case, find a vegan Japanese restaurant, book a table, and wait jubilantly for the date to come.

Nestled in a calm corner of King’s Cross, in a serene atmosphere, Itadaki Zen resides. The name is derived from itadakimasu (いただきます), a phrase said before eating to express gratitude for the meal, and zen  (禅), which refers to the Zen Buddhist tradition, focusing on meditation and mindfulness. Together, it can be interpreted as “grateful meal” or “humble dining.” 

When you enter and pass through the burgundy curtains, all you can hear is the absence of cutlery. No forks touching porcelain, no glasses clinking, no creaking, jarring, or gnashing. No knives dropping on the floor. Once you are settled, while pulling out a mute chair, a new surprise awaits you: a weekday lunch special; tofu steak, white rice, miso soup, and fermented vegetables for £8.00. Where in London can you even find a four-course meal for that price? Or you can create your own £14.00 starter and main combo from selections such as cucumber kimchi, gyoza dumplings, or Harumaki spring rolls as sides; creamy spicy ramen, miso ramen, or Japanese curry and rice as mains. And for dessert, there is mochi ice cream, the traditional Japanese rice cake made with sticky rice.

You slurp the miso, mix the tofu steak pieces with cucumber kimchi flavoured rice bites, the cold ice cream makes teeth tingle and in the interim, the whole restaurant remains placid. Itadaki Zen is the kind of place where people come to be on their own, without a book, without looking at a screen, without talking on the phone or sending voice notes. I’m not sure if it takes after its name, or if it’s the ambience that defines its moniker.

What to get: From Tuesday to Friday, there are two lunch menu options, Teishoku, for £8.00. Either tofu steak or gyoza dumplings, accompanied by white rice, miso soup, and fermented vegetables.

Good to know: Itadaki Zen also offers brunches in Kyoto and, more importantly, in Paris, one of Europe’s most difficult cities to find vegan options.

Address: 139 King’s Cross Rd, WC1X 9BJ

Easy to make at home, plant-based creations.

We have been following Roxy & Ben, aka So Vegan, for a long time now. Since 2016, they have grown their vegan audience while making delicious plant-based creations accessible to everyone. From their SO VEGAN In 5 book, featuring low-cost, 5-ingredient recipes, to ONE POT VEGAN, packed with inspiration for pastas, curries, salads, stir-fries, noodles, and even puddings, every recipe uses simple supermarket ingredients. Their latest book, Easy, includes chapters on speedy midweek meals, healthy but hearty weekend dinners, and indulgent desserts. Whether in video or written form, So Vegan is one of the pioneering vegan cooking channels.

Here is some of our favourite So Vegan Easy to Make Home Ideas:

• Tofu & Spinach Börek, on whipped tahini.

• Turmeric Tofu Kebaps.

• Apricot + Rosemary Meatballs w/ Creamy Orzo.

• Sweetcorn Fritters With North African Chermoula Dip.

• Tiramisu.