Restaurant search site for food minorities

Supervisor / Recommender

Yukiko Hakozaki

Registered dietitian

Click here for introduction

As a food coordinator, she specializes in work that makes the most of her sensibility, and has been proposing product plans and menus for side dishes, sweets shops, cafes, etc. So far, she has contributed to the development of many hit products by proposing more than 1000 items.
In addition, by acquiring a registered dietitian qualification and truly understanding that “food makes a human body,” she became more interested in food safety, healthy products, and environmentally friendly food.

While various information is overflowing these days, she sends reliable information in an easy-to-understand manner while utilizing her knowledge and sensibility.

A Vegan restaurant that attracts a variety of customers

A seven-minute walk from Ikebukuro station. Go through the busy street, cross the road where it meets the Metropolitan Expressway, and walk a little to the left to see the warm and stylish facade.

Shopfront

Going up the stairs (there is an elevator in the back) and opening a door, you will see a showcase filled with a variety of items such as baked/fresh sweets.

Entrance

Delicious baked sweets and fresh sweets in showcase

AIN SOPH. group opened the first vegetarian/vegan restaurant in Ginza back in 2009, and have expanded their business with four more branches since then.

One of the “AIN SOPH.” restaurants “AIN SOPH. soar” has a concept of “glamping (glamorous+camping),” which means they would like to create an atmosphere as though you are surrounded by nature and enjoy the relaxing experience.

From such a concept, there is a fireplace in the centre of the restaurant, adding a warm touch to the entire space. AIN SOPH.soar welcomes families with infants/children (kid’s menu, baby chairs, and diaper changing stations available), and their universal design interior allows for easy access with a stroller or wheelchair. Private rooms and Japanese style seats (where you take off your shoes) are also available in the back.

Elevated Japanese style seats where you can relax with your shoes off

Bookshelf next to a baby chair

They use a bioethanol fireplace on winter nights, which uses environment-friendly biomass (corns and sugar canes) energy.

Environment-friendly bioethanol fireplace

Sofa seats near windows

Table seats with warmth of wood

AIN SOPH.soar offers 5 different kinds of burgers on the menu in accordance with the concept of “glamping.”

A wide variety of unique vegan items on menu

I ordered the signature “ripple cheese burger” from various items, and “vegetable chowder” with an additional charge of 300 yen to make it a set meal. Here comes the large burger to my table!

Ripple cheese burger

This burger has a special patty made of soy meat, mushrooms, herbs, and miso. It is topped with melted creamy soy cheese, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, grilled onions, and aurora sauce, making this burger so scrumptious and satisfying. Vegetable chowder is creamy almond milk based soup and the finely chopped vegetables create tasty broth with umami.

Vegetable chowder (this is smaller serving size when purcased with a set meal)

There are a lot more items on the menu and some items are available for a limited time only and you can only find these items at AIN SOPH.soar.

Gluten-free hemp pancake ※Seasonal menu for a limited period

Mushroom burger　※Seasonal menu for a limited period

Sweet potato parfait ※Seasonal menu for a limited period

These items are available until the end of December. Different seasonal special items are developed at each restaurant by the chefs and pastry chefs. You can enjoy the original unique items at each restaurant within AIN SOPH. group.

What makes AIN SOPH. special

AIN SOPH. has been operating restaurants in the ever-expanding vegan market as a pioneer and influencing lots of women.

I interviewed the shop owner Ishizaki san about her journey with AIN SOPH.. She used to work in a showroom as a customer service attendant and she served many customers who urged her, saying “I don’t have time,” she gradually questioned the fast-paced lifestyle.

One day she searched restaurants with key words such as “beauty and vegetables,” she came across “AIN SOPH. Journey” in 3 chome ,Shinjuku.

She was impressed with the deliciousness of “Heavenly pancake” and saw many lively customers enjoying food and conversation there. She immediately got intrigued with the atmosphere, dishes, and concepts of AIN SOPH. which gave people so much vitality.

In Hebrew language, AIN SOPH means “infinity.” She mentioned about hope of the owner “Reconnecting ourselves to nature and becoming closer to the essence of yourself by adapting plant based diet (nature) one day a week.” About a half of the customers are vegan and some customers visit with their children who have allergies with dairy products and eggs.

Owner Akiko Ishizaki san

AIN SOPH.soar offers a variety of delightful food in a very comfortable setting and pleasant experience. I will be a frequent customer for sure!

「 AIN SOPH. soar IKEBUKURO」Basic information

Store name	AIN SOPH. soar IKEBUKURO
Tel	03-5944-9699
Address	1F Union Bldg. 3-5-7, Higashi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Business hours	Lunch11:30～16:00（L.O.15:00）　Dinner18:00～21:00（L.O.20:00）
Holiday	Irregular Holidays
Budget	Lunch & Dinner 2,000～3,000yen
Payment method	Cash, credit card（VISA、Master、JCB、Diners、AMEX), PayPay
Parking Lot	N/A（Toll parking lot available near the building）
Language
Advance reservation	Available
Cooking description	Available
Note	60 seats（private room and Japanese style seats 12 seats）
Store HP