Vegan Izakaya Masaka

The restaurant is in the basement of Shibuya PARCO, inside a section of the building called Chaos Kitchen. The room seats twenty-seven, decorated in a Showa-era izakaya style that stops short of feeling like a theme park. It is loud, deliberately so, and the menu is built around the kind of food that izakayas have always been built around — fried things, grilled things, cold beer.

Everything on the menu is plant-based. The name Masaka means "no way" in Japanese, which is the point.

The karaage is the dish most people come for. The base is soy protein, textured to replicate the fibrous structure of chicken, fried in a seasoned crust that stays crisp through the meal. It holds up to the house tartar sauce, which is egg-free, and to the terimayo, which is sweet enough to work as a counterpoint to the crunch. Whether it fools a committed meat-eater is probably the wrong question. It is a well-executed piece of frying on its own terms.

The gyoza are served open-ended, which allows the filling — cabbage, chives, soy meat — to make direct contact with the iron griddle. The caramelization that results gives the bottom a char and concentration that closed dumplings rarely achieve. These are better with beer than without it.

The mushroom liver sashimi has become the most photographed item on the menu. The texture is closer to tofu than to liver, but the seasoning is iron-forward in a way that reads as deliberate. It is worth ordering once.

Dinner service starts at 3:00 PM. The twenty-seven seats fill quickly after that. Reservations through TableEX are the practical move.

Essential Rules & Frequently Asked Questions
Is it really 100% vegan?
Yes. Masaka is a strictly plant-based establishment. No meat, fish, eggs, dairy, or honey are used in any of their recipes, including the rich sauces and batters.

Can I get a seat without a reservation?
While lunch allows for walk-ins, the 27-seat space fills up almost instantly. From 3:00 PM onwards, the restaurant operates primarily on a reservation basis. Using TableEX is the most reliable way to ensure you have a confirmed seat for the full dinner experience.

What is the "President’s Choice" on the menu?
Without a doubt, the Vegan Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken) is the star of the show. It is the dish that defines the "Masaka experience." To make it even better, you can customize it to your craving with six different signature sauces, ranging from heavy and indulgent to light and zesty:

• Nanban Tartar: A rich, creamy, egg-free soul food classic.

• Terimayo: The ultimate sweet-and-savory comfort combo.

• Sichuan Mala: A spicy, numbing kick for those who like it hot.

• Chinese Black Vinegar: Tangy, aromatic, and deeply flavorful.

• Green Onion & Salt Lemon: A crisp, refreshing citrus bite.

• Grated Daikon & Ponzu: The lightest option for a clean, savory finish.