Shojin - A Japanese Vegan Dining Experience: Downtown LA

As some of you know, my girlfriend is studying to become a dietician and every so often the subject of "veganism" comes up. After seeing that Shojin, a Japanese vegan restuarant in Downtown received 4.5 stars on Yelp, I decided to give the whole vegan thing a shot.

Annie ordered assorted grilled vegetables and tempeh with original sweet barbeque sauce. (above)

I ordered the tomato soup spaghetti - nutritious kamut spaghetti in herbal tomoto soup with fresh tomatoes and arugula. (below)

It's in the same center as Honda Ya Izakaya and Mitsuwa

The interior was simple, clean, and modern

The grilled vegetables were REALLY good. My spaghetti was a little bland but when I ate it with the grilled vegetables that made it better.

The service at this joint was top notch. The server answered many of my questions regarding recommendations and was even gracious enough to walk us out of the restaurant. He actually walked outside with us - now that's service!

I would recommend trying this restaurant out if you're feeling adventurous and want to try vegan cuisine. The menu at Shojin is well thought out, the service was great, and you walk out of there feeling like the healthiest kid in town.

Shojin website
Shojin reviews on Yelp
333 S Alameda St. Ste 310
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213.617.0305

Tags: -, A, Dining, Downtown, Experience:, Japanese, LA, Shojin, Vegan

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Comment by CatB on August 14, 2008 at 5:53pm: hey thanks Annie! makes sense and well put. i don't want to be giving up on the daeng jang jigae anytime soon but i'll keep in mind my aging bod and slowly weaning myself from my sodium addiction. your future clients are gonna be lucky to work with you!

Comment by Annie on August 14, 2008 at 3:32pm: Grace-Thanks for the tip! Question: "Fish Soup" at a Vegan place? Is it a mock fish soup? Do you know what they make it out of?

Comment by Annie on August 14, 2008 at 3:28pm: Hi Catherine- If you've never had an issue with your blood pressure I would say you wouldn't have to alter your sodium intake at all. Whatever you're consuming right now is working for you, but I wouldn't take this as a green light to take in more. You wouldn't want to create a condition you never had to begin with. You also want to keep in mind, as we get older our bodies change, so although salt may not be an issue for you now, it can always become one in the future. Slowly reducing now will help alter your taste for salt and make it easier for you in the future.

Hope this helps.=)

Comment by GLee on August 14, 2008 at 12:45pm: Inaka on La Brea is another great Japanese Vegan place. Their Fish Soup is the BEST! but you should call ahead of time because they run out of their fish soup often.

Comment by CatB on August 14, 2008 at 11:38am: i fear bland and revel in fat maybe a bit to much - i think i'd be craving a burger after this meal.
hey - question i've had which it seems annie or someone else may be able to answer -does it matter if you double your suggested sodium if you have low blood pressure? always been a salt fiend, always had low blood pressure. anyone know?