 Green Earth in Osaka, Japan is a spacious cafe with a
laid-back atmosphere and friendly vibe. But it's the food that has kept locals
and travellers alike coming back for twenty years: varied, fresh and
vegan-friendly, it's most definitely worth seeking out.
The menu is large but not overwhelming and caters to a variety of tastes,
whether you're wanting something fresh and healthy, Japanese-inspired, of the
mock-meat variety, or are craving cake and coffee. Everything available is
either vegan or can be made so; let the staff know your preference when you
arrive. An English menu is available.
The salads (¥500-600) are standout and include a Mediterranean salad with
Japanese influences (wakame and tofu), and a very popular avocado and bean
salad with chickpeas, lima beans, a light tangy dressing and homemade corn
chips. Some salads are served with damper and are a meal unto themselves, or
can be teamed with something more substantial depending on your appetite.
Pastas, curries and cashew cheese pizzas (all ¥500-700) are all served with a
focus on fresh ingredients and healthy, light toppings. The mushroom pasta is
loaded with seasonal fungi, topped with dried seaweed and has a divine buttery,
peppery sauce. Sandwiches are available, or if you can't decide, try the daily
lunch special which can feature anything from vegie lasagne to traditional tofu
(¥700 with soup, rice and salad).
A soy hot dog or gluten-based hamburger served with salad or chips is mighty
tasty, but the star of the mock meat menu is the Japanese fried 'chicken'.
Juicy, tender soy chicken is lightly fried, salted and served with lemon; a
taste sensation. DIY soy chicken packs are also available if you'd like to try
your hand at creating the meal at home later.
Cakes and sweet treats are homemade and can be served with vegan cream for a
little extra decadence. There are a range of baked goods to takeaway also, like
tofu and pumpkin muffins or crumbly coconut cookies.
The meals are incredibly reasonably priced, especially given their size, the
quality of the ingredients and talent in preparation. Service is friendly and
on sunny days it's possible to sit outside on the leafy terrace though be
warned, once you have a beer in hand and some tasty vegan snacks, you might never
want to leave. Although Green Earth is a daytime cafe only, they will open in
the evenings for private parties of eight or more people.
Green Earth Vegetarian Restaurant
1st Floor Kyuho
Building, Kitakyuhoji-cho, Chuo-ku Osaka 541-0057
(06) 6251 1245
Pure Veg
WORDS: Lisa Dempster
|
