Restaurant search site for food minorities

Supervisor / Recommender

Haruko Kawano

VegeProject Japan (NPO) Representative Director

Click here for introduction

Kyoto University Faculty/Graduate School of Agricultural, Master of Agriculture, Kyoto University.
Founded “VegeProject Japan(NPO)” when she was a student. From then, she introduced a veg-menu to the student cafeteria of Kyoto University.
She is currently working with universities, companies, restaurants and municipalities to expand vegan and vegetarian options.
Also active as teacher/advertiser of vegetarian vegans. Interviews with well-known vegetarians Paul McCartney and Colin Campbell.

Delicious vegan ramen noodles not just alternative for using animal products

Chipoon is a modern Chinese restaurant that specializes in ramen noodles, located in the well-known Laforet Harajuku. They offer wholesome ramen noodles with vegetable broth without adding any artificial seasonings. The menu is created by Mr. Nishioka who is the owner and chef at a renowned Chinese restaurant “Renge equriosity” in Ginza. The Chipoon owner, a big fan of Renge, once got intrigued with “vegetable and salt ramen” at Renge, and decided to open a restaurant that specializes in vegetable ramen. The restaurant name “Chipoon” comes from “Chinese spoon” which is an English term for Renge. He didn’t intend to create vegan ramen at first, it just happened to be plant-based ramen when trying to pursue the ingredients for the quality ramen. It is often the case that alternative ingredients are used instead of animal products for vegan dishes, but Chipoon is very particular about using delicious vegetables not just as “alternative” for animal products. They choose vegetables because they are simply delicious. The secrets for this delightful ramen is that they use fresh vegetables from farmers around the areas that they carefully selected, and they make their own seasonings such as chili oil and mayonnaise from scratch at the restaurant.

All the items are handmade in this kitchen

The most popular item on the menu is vegan noodles created with an image of ramen that the owner fell in love with at Renge. You can enjoy this authentic dish for the very reasonable price of 750 yen.

The most popular vegan noodle

It is said that you feel “umami” on the palate first when putting food into your mouth .Typical ramen is cooked so that umami and saltiness are tasted together, and saltiness generally tends to be slightly overpowering. But this vegan ramen has a light flavor with a hint of squeezed lemon. You will finish this beautiful soup without feeling guilty. This is a sophisticated ramen with a touch of sour flavor created with mustard seeds and lemons. When I tried this ramen, it was quite different to other ramens that I ever had and very delicious, Translucent silky noodles go very well with beautiful wholesome soup.

Translucent noodles

A variety of ingredients used harmoniously such as bamboo shoot and yuba make this dish very special and create an enjoyable experience.

A variety items on the menu besides ramen noodles

I had “maple soy milk annin tofu” recommended by the chef for a dessert.

Owner’s recommendation, maple soy milk annin tofu

This dessert is made with maple syrup for tofu and brown sugar for sauce, instead of processed sugar. Annin tofu without processed sugar is softer and you can enjoy plant-based annin tofu which has different texture to the ones with animal products. It is a rich tofu jelly with fragrant apricot karnels. I highly recommend to try after ramen noodles. There are also sesame tofu and churros.

Perfect for takeout

They also have a wide variety of side menu items besides vegan burgers, vegetable boiled dumplings, and ramen noodles. You can upgrade to a set meal with a choice of a drink or dessert with an additional charge of 200 yen, and a set meal with boiled dumplings and a choice of a drink or dessert with an additional charge of 500 yen.

There are a variety items to chose from besides ramen

You won’t go wrong with a set meal if you are hungry and not sure what to order.

Chipoon has a beautiful interior with concepts

Chipoon has a concept of “pretty and elegant” and stands out a lot with pink appearance at the “good meal market.”

Eye-catching appearance

The interior of the restaurant is pink-based in accordance with its concept “pretty and elegant.” There are drawings of flamingos everywhere and the shape of its beak represents the renge spoon which is the name of the restaurant.

Cute interior with flamingos

Renge provided here is pink, adding a sense of unity.

Renge

Chipoon was created with wholehearted commitment to provide quality food such as not only ramen but also other side dishes. They didn’t intend to establish vegan restaurant but it just happened to be vegan food when pursuing quality food, which makes it true that Chipoon is not just for vegans but can be enjoyed by everyone. Chipoon only has counter seats so it can be handy when you drop in casually by yourself. They are a variety of ramens which are all quite different and unique, you would want to come back again and again. Some of the ramens and sesame dumpling are available at the online shop. You can enjoy authentic food at home!

Online shop is available

Writer：Natsumi Ogawa

「 Chipoon」Basic information

Store name	Chipoon
Tel	03-6804-2123
Address	GOOD MEAL MARKET 2F Laforet Harajuku, 1-11-6, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Zip code:150-0001
Business hours	11：00～21：00
Holiday	In accordance with Laforet calender
Budget	Approximately1000 yen for food and a drink
Payment method	Cash, credit card, electronic money
Parking Lot	Laroret toll parking lot is available
Language
Advance reservation	N/A
Cooking description	Mostly vegan items
Note	Only counter seats available
Store HP