Tean — Review by TabiEats
Tokyo, Japan — Vegan Ramen / Japanese
Tean is a vegan ramen restaurant located inside Tokyo Station that exceeded expectations with creative, satisfying dishes. The reviewers tried the seasonal vegan tonkotsu ramen with cherry blossom colors and interactive flavor changes, plus a golden sesame tantan ramen with peanut sauce, vegan gyoza, and vegan gelato. Both reviewers were impressed that the vegan options tasted delicious and meaty without feeling heavy or oily.
What was great: Vegan ramen with rich, creamy tonkotsu-style broth, flavorful vegan gyoza that tastes like regular gyoza, satisfying vegan chashu with good texture, fresh seasonal toppings, creative flavor variations in the ramen, vegan desserts
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The star of the meal was the seasonal vegan tonkotsu ramen, a creative spring-themed dish available until the end of April. The bowl featured thin chewy ramen noodles in a vegan tonkotsu broth with an impressive pink cherry blossom color. What made this dish special was the interactive element: diners could change the flavor three times using different toppings. The first variation used sweet potato bean paste with a cute cherry blossom wafer, adding subtle sweetness and richness. The second variation incorporated crispy spicy elements with wasabi greens that provided texture and a hint of wasabi aroma. The broth itself was creamy and full of umami, though the exact ingredients remained a mystery to the reviewers. Toppings included vegan chashu with surprisingly meaty texture, uddo mushroom, watermelon radish, and chili flakes.
The second ramen ordered was the golden sesame tantan ramen special, visually stunning with its golden color. This vegan version traditionally made with ground beef instead featured char-grilled soy meat chashu that was smoky and satisfying. The tantan broth had a rich sesame base with a peanut sauce mixed in, creating a spicy peanut flavor that was deeply satisfying. The noodles were traditional white ramen noodles, tender and chewy. Fresh vegetables including spinach and what appeared to be egg salad rounded out the bowl, making it both delicious and nutritious.
The vegan gyoza were absolutely stellar. These dumplings had a flavor profile virtually indistinguishable from regular gyoza, with juicy filling, subtle garlic and ginger notes, and natural cabbage sweetness. The reviewers were so impressed they mentioned being able to eat these daily.
For dessert, they tried vegan gelato in matcha and strawberry sorbet flavors. The matcha gelato was not overly sweet and allowed the earthiness of matcha soy milk to shine through. The strawberry sorbet was refreshing and delicious.
The Experience
Located conveniently inside Tokyo Station, Tean offers easy access for travelers starting their journey or passing through. The restaurant was featured on Go Tokyo Gourmet, a curated food website by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, lending credibility to its offerings. The casual atmosphere made for a comfortable dining experience while enjoying the thoughtfully prepared vegan cuisine.
Value and Pricing
Specific pricing was not mentioned in the video, but given the quality of ingredients, creative preparations, and generous portions, the value appears reasonable for Tokyo dining standards.
Notable Moments
I can't believe this is tonkotsu ramen, but it's vegan.
I can't believe this is vegan gyoza at all. It's very meaty and juicy and really flavorful.
My image of vegan food is light and not enough for me sometimes. But here those dishes are hardy and rich. Very satisfying.
The Verdict
Tean successfully challenges preconceptions about vegan ramen and vegan cuisine in general. The food is hearty, rich, and deeply satisfying without feeling heavy or oily. Whether you follow a vegan diet or not, this restaurant delivers exceptional flavors and creative preparations that rival traditional ramen establishments. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Tokyo, especially during spring when the seasonal tonkotsu ramen is available.