#Veglove: Vegetarian Dishes at Yamamori
Clockwise from top left: Avocado and Mango Nori roll, Inari Nigiri, and Beetroot and Lychee Salad
Photos by Greg Purcell
Yes, it’s true - Japanese food is commonly associated with fish, and it’s world-famous for it. But it also does vegetable-based dishes incredibly well, and with the emphasis on fresh ingredients and harmonious balance between warm and cool, Japanese cuisine offers some amazing vegetarian-friendly dishes. We have huge love for veggie takes on the classics, and we’ve highlighted a few dishes from across our three locations below.
Check out our Lunch Menus (see links at bottom of the page) for Veg Bento Box, Ramen, and other specials for lunchtime.
LEARN MORE: if you’re traveling to Japan anytime soon, check out this guide for how to eat vegan and vegetarian in the country. Or, thinking about trying veganism for Veganuary? The Veganuary campaign encourages people around the world to try a vegan diet for January (why not try something new for the New Year?)
Special Norimaki Rolls
Cucumber Dragon Roll with black rice and wasabi mayonnaise
The Cucumber Dragon roll available at both North City and South City comes with sundried tomato and cream cheese filled norimaki topped with finely sliced cucumber, wasabi mayonnaise and sesame seeds. We always offer a choice of white or black rice (this can be made vegan as well). Also try out our rotating Norimaki Chef Special rolls at Izakaya Sake Bar (ask your server for the day’s special).
And ask your server about the Veg Maki Special at Izakaya Sake Bar for up to date daily roll options.
2. VEGETABLE NORImaki ROLLS
Clockwise from top left: Asparagus nigiri with white rice; Inari nigiri; Cucumber and Kimchi norimaki, Avocado norimaki, and Oyster Mushroom and Cream Cheese norimaki [vegan option available without cream cheese], all with black rice option
We have loads of delicious simple norimaki veg rolls at all our locations; try the classic Cucumber or Avocado rolls, or at North City try the gorgeous and well-balanced Avocado and Mango, the unique Oyster Mushroom and Cream Cheese [vegan option available], the Spicy Kimchee and Cucumber (see image above for both), or the Avocado, Cucumber and Cream Cheese.
At South City, try the Kanpyo - Marinated Squash roll, or the Oshinko - Pickled Radish for a tangy, salty kick.
And for small bites, the 2-piece nigiri plates offer one ingredient on a bed of rice - Cucumber, Avocado, Asparagus, Oshinko, Inari - Fried Tofu, or Tamago – Egg.
3. Beetroot and lychee salad
Beetroot and Lychee Salad
Lychee is a popular Chinese fruit that has a sweet and floral taste, and is used widely in Asian cuisine (and some of our signature cocktails and desserts). North City’s Beetroot and Lychee Salad is a sweet and earthy dish, tossed in mixed leaves, garnished with sprouts and served in a creamy ginger vinaigrette.
Looking for more fresh vegetarian salads? South City’s popular Beetroot and Avocado Salad has it all: beetroot, freshly tossed rocket leaves, avocado, asparagus, cherry tomato and tofu, and is served with a wasabi and white truffle dressing.
4. unique vegetable gyoza dishes
Yasai (vegetable) Gyoza pictured with a house cocktail. Regularly served with a sweet and tangy gyoza sauce
Izakaya Sake Bar’s Yasai Gyoza contains finely chopped seasonal vegetables and garlic, which are hand-parcelled into dumplings, boiled and then lightly grilled, and garnished with chilli flakes. Served with Yamamori gyoza sauce.
The gorgeous Spinach and Shiitake Gyoza option at North City has a homemade mix of spinach, squash, shiitake mushroom and cashew nuts; hand parcelled and served steamed and lightly grilled with our Yamamori gyoza sauce.
Our unique Kabocha Gyoza at South City has roasted pumpkin, garlic chives, sweet potato, and pumpkin seeds, steamed and grilled, and served with a traditional gyoza sauce.
6. Rame, Noodle, and rice Dishes
Vegetable Ramen (egg optional) and pictured with Miso Soup
At South City, we love ramen - warming, filling, and famously tasty. If you’re looking for an alternative to pork, chicken, and seafood ramen dishes, try our Grilled Tofu Ramen: grilled tofu, shiitake mushrooms, wasabi choi sum, and grilled seaweed served in a miso flavoured broth (add an egg if you want!)
Another excellent option at North City is our Shiitake, Avocado and Egg Ramen: grilled shiitake mushrooms, raw tofu, avocado and a slow-poached egg in a soya sauce and sesame broth
Another recommended (non-ramen) noodle dish at South City is the Yasai Yaki Soba with stir-fried buckwheat soba noodles with grilled tofu, cashew nuts, mixed vegetables, egg, vegetarian stir fry sauce, and topped with bamboo shoots. Or try the Roast Vegetable Curry: a selection of roasted vegetables including asparagus, sweet potato, aubergine, and courgette, served with a Japanese curry sauce, salad and steamed zakkoku rice.
Try the South City House Special (as of January 2019) of Vegetable Savoury Rice: egg fried zakkoku rice with cashew nuts, sweetcorn, peppers, spring onion and mangetout; garnished with chukka salad and served with a vegetarian miso soup. Or the Takikomi Gohan small Japa plate at Izakaya Sake Bar: steamed rice cooked with a mix of seasonal vegetables and mushrooms, topped with Japanese furikake seasoning.
5. yasai tempura
Yasai (Vegetable) Tempura pictured with Beetroot and Lychee Salad, Vegetable Gyoza and house Lemonades
Offered at all our locations, our Yasai Tempura is a lovely medley of sweet potato, aubergine, shiitake mushroom, and asparagus, coated in a light crispy batter, and served with a ginger and shoyu dip. Always a favourite!
7. sides and small dishes
From left to right: a roasted vegetable side dish, vegetarian miso soup, and edamame beans
Our sides can vary per venue, from classic seaweed salad, miso soup and edamame beans, to warming roasted vegetables and sunomono (cucumber salad), our 3 locations have plenty of delicious vegetable-based sides. Add a unique side of house Japanese pickles at North City and South City. Or for a mid-size small plate, the Pumpkin Korokke on the Japa menu at Izakaya Sake Bar: pumpkin croquettes deep fried and served with a sweet Japanese barbeque sauce.
Happy Eating!
