I don't think I realized how difficult it can be to find vegan bread in Japan until my sister, who is a vegan, was staying with us for part of her vacation. Pop into any 7-11, Lawson, or Family Mart, and the regular loaves of bread you'll find on the shelves are shokupan, which lists milk as one of the key ingredients. It's why places like 1110 Cafe and Bakery are such an oasis in the desert when it comes to vegan-friendly, carb-filled deliciousness. This spot in Saitama has a menu which is 100% plant based, with a range of bread types available on any given day - there are baguettes, flat bread, raisin bread, muffins, and scones to name a few.

The cafe also offers several creative to-go lunchbox options, which are all priced at ¥1,110. A popular choice is the mushroom katsu sandwich, which uses a rare variety of cloud ear mushroom to make a crispy katsu fillet. It's garnished with plenty of fresh vegetables and finished with a creamy soy mayo to tie everything together. There's also a seasonal veggie quiche lunchbox that foregoes the usual egg and dairy products, and a colorful vegetable curry option. When it comes to the drinks, there are organic beers, juices, Americanos, and lattes available, served with your choice of soy, oat, or brown rice milks.

Do note that the cafe is closed each Monday if you're planning a special trip.
 

Getting there

1110 Cafe and Bakery is located in Kawaguchi, Saitama. From the JR Akabane Station (served by the Keihin-Tohoku Line, the Utsunomiya Line, the Takasaki Line, the Saikyo Line, and the Shonan Shinjuku Line) take the East Exit, and look for bus number Red 23 (赤23).

Take the bus for around 12 minutes, and alight at the Naginohashi stop. The cafe is approximately three minutes on foot from the bus stop.
If you're driving, free parking is available.
 

By Kim B