| Being vegan in Tokyo can often make one feel | | | | Times bestseller, highest ranking ever for any |
| isolated in the world's most populous city, but last | | | | cookbook), inscribed "Keep spreading the vegan |
| weekend my partner and I counted ourselves a | | | | lifestyle in Japan". |
| very lucky minority to meet acclaimed vegan | | | | In the private tatami-room overlooking a serene |
| chef and author of the "The Conscious Cook" | | | | Zen garden, Tal guided us through his book, which |
| cookbook, Tal Ronnen. | | | | contains not only dozens of mouth-watering |
| While Japan is known for originating the | | | | plant-based recipes (accompanied by beautiful |
| predominantly vegetarian macrobiotic diet, and | | | | photos Tal styled himself) and techniques, but |
| "macrobi" restaurants are ubiquitous here, | | | | serves as a tribute to other chefs and partners |
| veganism is extremely rare in Japan. As a result, | | | | he has worked with during his cooking career. |
| our vegan cooking school and vegan recipe | | | | Chef Tal, who graduated from a traditional |
| website came up near the top of the web search | | | | culinary academy and conducts vegetarian |
| Chef Tal did before his recent visit to Tokyo. | | | | workshops at Le Cordon Bleu, also shared his |
| We were aware Tal had cooked for Oprah | | | | view on the importance--even for vegan |
| Winfrey's 21-day vegan cleanse and catered Ellen | | | | chefs--to have strong grounding in French cooking |
| DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi's wedding, but not | | | | techniques. |
| of his fondness for Japan, inherited from his | | | | Among Tal's other valuable advice: |
| Australian father who had lived in Japan 3 years. | | | | - Using cashew nuts to make cremes for use |
| Tal said Japanese food was his favorite, and | | | | sauces, deserts, and raw cheeses (tellingly, |
| asked our recommendation for Shojin Ryoori | | | | cashew creme sauce is the first very first recipe |
| (traditional Buddhist temple food). | | | | in the book). I've already made a log of Chad |
| Not wanting to disappoint Tal, we consulted the | | | | Sarno's cashew cheese recipe from the book. |
| Michelin Guide which led us to Atago-Daigo, a | | | | - VitaMix blender--"most critical tool after a good |
| 2-Star restaurant where we enjoyed a most | | | | knife" (he advised which type of VitaMix to |
| elegant and delicately prepared bento. Highlights | | | | purchase, too!). |
| included sashimi made from hearts of palm (a | | | | - Secret of cooking meat analog tempeh (braising |
| shoe-in for Awabi-giant clam), tempura using | | | | it a looong time). |
| puffed rice seedlings, sweet potato necks | | | | Tal was excited there seemed to be more vegan |
| simmered in white soy sauce, and matsutake | | | | eating options in Japan compared with his first |
| mushrooms in a clear broth. | | | | visit 15 years ago. Although my partner and I |
| I observed that while Tal did not finish everything, | | | | wish for many more choices, Chef Tal's energy, |
| he appeared to savor the items he ate with | | | | creativity and passion inspire our own efforts to |
| every cell in his being, fitting perfectly the | | | | make vegan food as commonplace in Japan as it |
| "Conscious Cook" moniker. Tal said he doesn't eat | | | | is has become in North America. |
| much while he's working, either, because he's so | | | | Note to vegans interested in visiting Atago-Daigo |
| focused on the act of creating. | | | | (Tokyo): the restaurant requires 2 days notice if |
| While we would have been delighted to taste Tal's | | | | you would like food prepared without using any |
| cooking firsthand, he did present my partner a | | | | katsuo (bonito) dashi or chicken eggs, or if you |
| copy of his attractive cookbook (#3 New York | | | | would prefer to substitute white rice with genmai. |