Perhaps I have passed by this place so many times but never noticed this place. ” ain soph.”, a small vegetarian cafe restaurant with glass walls, is located in Higashi Ginza, 3 min walk from Higashi Ginza station on the Hibiya Line. I found this place through the Internet, and regretted that I hadn’t explored enough before I moved apartments, away from this area. 

ain soph. is actually a whole 6-story building consisting of cafe, spa, and a gallery space. The cafe is located on its 1st and 2nd floor. They opened in December 2009, and have been serving healthy foods using organic vegetables and grains.  They do not use meat, fish, stocks from animal, eggs or dairy.  This sounds like more vegan than vegetarian, but the shop staff said the food was not fully vegan.

The atmosphere is good, pretty much like the cafe where you see mostly women who are having a quick dinner after work by themselves.  It is a sign of coziness.  Staff are friendly, too.

They had approx 20-30 items on the menu, including deserts.  They also have a recommendation of the day.  The portions are good for the price.  I mean, for Ginza.  We ordered vegetable tortilla, vegetable brochette with mustard sauce, salted and sweetened potatoes with mushrooms and brown rice mochi (rice cake), and pasta of the day. 

My favorite was salted and sweetened potato with mushrooms and brown rice mochi (750yen).  It was seasoned with the good balance of soy sauce and sugar, and was served nicely on a small plate.  Vegetable tortilla (800yen) is also a good choice.  It has some tofu spread and tomato wrapped with a volume of lettuce.  Today’s pasta was fusilli with Japanese sauce, ginger and mushroom (900yen) and was also of decent volume, as you see in the picture. 

As for the drinks, they are limited but there’s just enough variety (for a cafe), most at 500 yen.  They also have wines from 600 yen per glass or 2,800 yen per bottle.  Of course they have some tea/coffee, and juices for the non-drinkers.

They have 3 lunch sets during lunch hour.  The price is from 900 yen to 1,100 yen including curry plate and deli plate.  You should check it out if you work in this neighborhood.

It is great to have a vegetarian cafe in this area as I have been feeling that there are less veggie options in eastern Tokyo compared to the western side.   Hopefully they stay here for a long time…

ain soph.

http://ain-soph.jp/cafe.html

Tel 03-6228-4241

Lunch 11.30am-5pm Mon-Fri (¥2,000)

Dinner 5-12pm  (L.O.11pm)  Mon-Sat 5-10pm (L.O.9pm)

4-12-1, Ginza, Chuo-ku

大きな地図で見る