Odawara, Kanagawa, Japan｜Vegetable Dining Sakai

TL;DR (Too-Long;Didn't-Read) Delightful. I'll be reserving seats and visiting it again specifically when I drop by Japan in the future. It's part of the travel plan now. If I have to take a two-hour ride to Odawara just to enjoy his food and leave immediately after without sightseeing at Odawara, I will do it. You want a postal code: 1 Chome-6-29 Shiroyama, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0045, Japan IW2R (I-Want-2-Read): So. Vegetable Dining Sakai. This Vege-Fru Restaurant looks nice when I first went to it at around 6:45pm, 30th March 2023. The singular chef (I'm guessing it's Mr. Sakai) working there without waiters was worrying, especially since I was visiting with a big group. It was already late at night & ingredients were running low, so all 12, 13 members couldn't fit, it could only accommodate 8 people. If it weren't so late & ingredients were still available then everyone could've fit into the 20-seat ristorante. You probably won't need to know as much Japanese as me to order food, most people reading this can just walk in without having a 10-minute discussion on removing alliums etc. so it's a big bonus. Otherwise, just explain "oriental vegan-desu" and the chef at large understands your needs. Presentation is incredible. Bright yellow lemons in large glass jars, a dainty kitchen where customers can admire his cooking, warm and soft lights for customers with harsh cold lights in the kitchen (to assess ingredient freshness), it gives a visual presentation of segregation very well. It's almost like anime how different the rooms feel; and it's open-concept, you can look in on his work anytime. The funny thing is, I noticed that the water was infused the moment I sipped it, but it took the chef pointing out the lemons on the counter for me to put two and 2 together. The dishes are on another level of delicious. Lemon-infused water, pleasantly varied salads and sauce varieties with distinct flavours, the freedom to mix & match however you please to produce complexity in every bite, an accommodating chef that understands an oriental vegan's dietary needs, this place is incredible. Initially the single chef worried me, but having him serve as a waiter bringing the dishes out to ask for our opinion meant that he could tailor the next parts of the course to our liking (e.g. asking if it was okay using eggs in the risotto). Basically, it was late, so I explained that he could use the leftover ingredients however he wished (even getting experimental) to prepare a suitable family meal for 8, it's hands-free no restrictions for him. Who knows - Some of the stuff in my pictures might not exist on the regular menu, I wouldn't know. The chef is very, very accommodating on that front, it's pleasant. It's about 17,600en for 8 people, which amounts to 2,200en per person. That's pretty good for a decent and filling meal. I gave an extra 5en (go-en; 五円 sounds like ご縁 which means good fortune) and wished the best for his business. I honestly wouldn't mind working as a waiter / sous chef tutoring under him after I graduate, provided that he's hiring. I'll think about it if I happen to meet someone I like romantically in Japan. What's "oriental vegan"? Summarised backstory: I'm vegan but my religion demands that I play on hard mode, I don't eat alliums. Onions, leeks, shallots, garlic, the stuff that makes your meal flavourful and sweet in the absence of delectable meat? We don't do that here. In South-east Asia it's gained a name called "Oriental Vegan", let's go with that to simplify things. HE MADE CAPSICUM TASTE LIKE ROASTED WHEAT WITHOUT OVERCHARRING, THE ROASTING TECHNIQUE IS ON-POINT, THIS CHEF IS INCREDIBLE AMAGAD I WANT TO GO BACK

A lovely little Japanese restaurant offering vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Really good lunch time offers including a main, drink and entree for between 1500-1800 depending on the main. All the food tasted really fresh and delicious. Would advise arriving early as although open until 2.30 we saw customers being turned away around 45-60 mins before then.

The chef tailor-made a three course meal for us to fit our dietary requirements. Beautiful presentation of food, lovely flavours and great attention to detail.