Vegan, Vegetarian & Gluten-Free Japanese Food in the East Village
Ichibantei serves a vegan Japanese curry and vegan chicken katsu, plenty of vegetarian sides, and a long list of gluten-free mains, at 100 3rd Ave near Union Square. Below is what’s vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free, and which dishes aren’t, so you can order with confidence.
We’re a Japanese restaurant, not a dedicated vegan or gluten-free kitchen, so we say plainly what contains wheat, fish stock or dairy. If you have an allergy, tell your server when you order.
Vegan
- Curry Rice: our slow-simmered Japanese curry is vegan. See our Japanese curry.
- Vegan Chicken Katsu: a soy-based, crispy cutlet. Ask for it with the curry. See katsu curry at Ichibantei.
- Sides and salads: Yamitsuki Cabbage, Green Salad, Seaweed Salad, Edamame, Garlic Edamame, Yuzu Shishito, Sweet Potato Fries, and Agenasu. Agedashi Tofu is vegan when made with a plant-based dashi, so ask for it.
- Udon: ask for a vegan dashi udon with wakame.
- Dessert: Umeshu Jelly (plum wine jelly, with no alcohol left in it).
Not vegan: miso soup (it’s made with bonito dashi), Kitsune Udon, Yakko Tofu and Tamago Don, which use fish-based dashi.
Vegetarian
Everything above, plus Ichibantei Fries. Dishes made with dashi (fish stock) are not vegetarian.
Gluten-free
Gluten-free mains:
- Karaage (Japanese fried chicken, coated in potato starch rather than flour)
- Chicken Nanban
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Ichibantei Steak
- Pork Ginger
- Curry Rice and Karaage Curry
- Tuna Zuke Don
Our soy sauce is tamari, made without wheat.
Gluten-free sides and starters: Edamame, Garlic Edamame, Seaweed Salad, Green Salad, Yamitsuki Cabbage, Yuzu Shishito, Agenasu, Agedashi Tofu, Dashimaki, Sweet Potato Fries, and plain Rice.
Not gluten-free: katsu (chicken, pork and vegan), all hamburger steaks, udon and cold ramen, most donburi, gyoza, takoyaki, and Ichibantei Fries. Katsu sauce isn’t gluten-free either.
Allergies and cross-contact
Our kitchen doesn’t use nuts or crustaceans (we do serve octopus, so tell us if you avoid all shellfish). Wheat is used in the kitchen, and we cook in a shared kitchen, so we can’t guarantee zero cross-contact. If you have celiac disease or a severe allergy, tell us before you order and we’ll guide you to the safest choices.
Dining with a group
Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free guests can each choose their own main, and we plan appetizers around the numbers you give us. For group dinners, see private events and group dining.
Frequently asked questions
Is there vegan Japanese curry near Union Square?
Yes. Ichibantei’s Japanese curry is vegan, and you can add vegan chicken katsu. We’re at 100 3rd Ave, a short walk from Union Square.
Is Ichibantei vegetarian-friendly?
Yes. Besides the vegan curry and vegan katsu, we have vegetarian sides and salads. Dishes made with dashi (fish stock) aren’t vegetarian, so ask if you’re unsure.
Do you have gluten-free Japanese food?
Yes. Gluten-free mains include Karaage, Chicken Nanban, Teriyaki Chicken, Ichibantei Steak, Pork Ginger, Curry Rice and Tuna Zuke Don. Katsu, hamburger steaks, udon and gyoza are not gluten-free.
Are the hamburger steaks gluten-free?
No. They’re made with breadcrumbs.
Is miso soup vegan?
No. Our miso soup is made with bonito dashi.
Do you use nuts or shellfish?
We don’t use nuts or crustaceans. We do serve octopus (in takoyaki and tako karaage), so tell us if you avoid all shellfish.
Is your kitchen safe for celiac disease?
We’re not a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, so we can’t promise zero cross-contact. Tell us before you order.