A bite-sized travel diary of a vegetarian through Paris, Tokyo and Seoul

Eating vegetarian while travelling isn’t about limitations anymore. From layered pastries in Paris to sesame broth in Tokyo and fermented traditions in Seoul, here’s a peek into some of my favourite discoveries from recent trips to these three cities.

Paris:

Paris always feels like a romantic dream and is always indulgent. I love how the city plays with texture and presentation. At Datil, the chef reimagines fruit and vegetables in stunning ways—plums and apples in savoury dishes, sunchoke in dessert—thoughtful and completely unpretentious. L’Arpège remains a favourite; its iconic vegetable tasting menu is a celebration of soil and simplicity.

For something quieter, Quinsou is where I’d go for a date night. Great wines, beautifully balanced plates, and a relaxed vibe. On sunny days, head to Café Marly, not just for the refreshing menu, but to sit and people-watch in the shadow of the Louvre.

Street-style and easy eats? L’As du Fallafel or Miznon in the Marais hit the spot. So does Chez Ginette—a little Côte d’Azur charm tucked into Montmartre. And Tam, a small Vietnamese spot, serves up family-style warmth and bold flavour.

Sweet things? Berthillon ice cream (always vanilla and hazelnut), waffles and crepes from Le Crème de Paris, and the misbehaving pastries from French Bastards. Brigat’, run by two Italian brothers, is a gem—grab a pastry and sit on the grass at Place des Vosges. Heaven. For a gluten-free twist, Copain nails texture and flavor.

I also loved Tekés for Tel Aviv-inspired vegetarian brilliance, and Bambou for its polished pan-Asian menu. Wind down with drinks at Hotel Costes Bar—Parisian drama in the best way.

Tokyo:

Tokyo is always a masterclass in detail. I started with the dreamiest pancakes at Micasadeco Café in Harajuku—soft, airy, and borderline dessert. Then came Tofuya Ukai, tucked beneath Tokyo Tower, where tofu is treated like art—elegant, quiet, deeply nourishing.

Just outside teamLab Tokyo, Vegan Ramen UZU served one of the most satisfying bowls—creamy sesame broth, rich but balanced. I also loved Afuri and Ts Tantan for their vegan options—light but full of umami.

For something bold and playful, Soranoiro Nippon at Tokyo Station delivers. At Jigsai Mensho in Shibuya Parco, I didn’t miss meat for a second. Shojin Sougo and Daigo reinterpret Buddhist cuisine with soul and restraint.

Robataya in Roppongi is pure theatre where your vegetables are grilled live and served with a smile. And yes, Gonpachi (of Kill Bill fame) is touristy but still a vibe. On the more refined end, Florilège, L’Effervescence, and Narisawa all offered beautifully seasonal vegetarian menus.

A standout was the pizza omakase at Pizza Bar on 38th inside the Mandarin Oriental—truly one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had. Don’t miss the truffle pizzino - it’s rich, earthy, and perfectly crisp.

For slower moments, Suju Dining in Roppongi Hills makes a warm, grounded lunch stop. Yelo Kakigori serves extravagant shaved ice creations that look like art, and the tea tasting at Higashiya in Ginza was a serene, beautiful ritual—delicate wagashi sweets and nuanced Japanese teas served in the most minimal, calming space.

In Asakusa, just beyond Sensoji Shrine, I spent an afternoon weaving through the food stalls—sweet mochi, crispy sweet potato chips, soy-glazed crackers, and fluffy melonpan. Classic, comforting, and very Tokyo.

Seoul:

Seoul was a revelation. Onjjum serves modern takes on royal Joseon-era cuisine—rooted in Buddhist temple food, precise, and deeply elegant. The setting, overlooking Gyeongbokgung Palace, feels like a bridge between time periods.

Bium is quiet and powerful. Chef Kim Daechun brings 1,000-year-old Korean recipes back to life using aged fermented ingredients. It’s minimal, almost meditative, and incredibly poetic.

Gwangjang Market was an explosion of flavour—crispy bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), spicy kimchi gyoza, and the most comforting bowl of bibimbap tucked into a tiny stall. I finished it off with the viral sweet donuts at the back of the market.

Myeongdong was electric—neon lights, thumping K-pop, and vegetarian street snacks galore. I loved the gooey hotteok (caramel-stuffed pancakes), fiery tteokbokki (ask for it without fishcake), and crispy twigim—sweet potato tempura with a punch.

Modern Korean dining stood out too. Soul Dining and Soigné crafted thoughtful, ingredient-driven menus where vegetables were treated with reverence and restraint.

And for the perfect post-dinner wind-down, Alice and Zest Bar are moody cocktail bars, playful and deeply stylish, just like the city itself.

I’ll keep chasing that magic, fork-first.

Text by Aditi Dugar
Aditi Dugar is the Founder & Director at Urban Gourmet India/ Masque. Views expressed are personal.