Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever
has. Indeed.
committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever
has. Indeed.
The Independent is reporting
on a small group of vegetarians in Tokyo who are betting they can convince the
city’s 50,000 restaurants to put vegetarian options on their menus before the
Tokyo Olympics take place in 2020.
on a small group of vegetarians in Tokyo who are betting they can convince the
city’s 50,000 restaurants to put vegetarian options on their menus before the
Tokyo Olympics take place in 2020.
The group, which calls itself
Tokyo Smile Veggies, plans to revolutionize the restaurant scene by hosting
workshops, training chefs, and inspiring eateries that already offer vegetarian
options to display signage.
Tokyo Smile Veggies, plans to revolutionize the restaurant scene by hosting
workshops, training chefs, and inspiring eateries that already offer vegetarian
options to display signage.
“We don’t want to increase the number of vegetarian
restaurants,” said Aya Karasuyama, one of the group’s founders. “We
want vegetarian food to be served in normal restaurants. This hardly exists at
present. People think vegetarians are strange and only eat salad.”
restaurants,” said Aya Karasuyama, one of the group’s founders. “We
want vegetarian food to be served in normal restaurants. This hardly exists at
present. People think vegetarians are strange and only eat salad.”
While many traditional Japanese
restaurants do not offer vegetarian food, there has been a surge in
vegetarianism during the past decade. In fact, a boom in the popularity of
macrobiotic eating has led to the opening of 500 solely vegetarian or
vegetarian-friendly cafés.
restaurants do not offer vegetarian food, there has been a surge in
vegetarianism during the past decade. In fact, a boom in the popularity of
macrobiotic eating has led to the opening of 500 solely vegetarian or
vegetarian-friendly cafés.
Want your favorite restaurants to
offer more animal-friendly fare? Ask them! Send a polite email or ask to speak
to a manager and offer suggestions.
offer more animal-friendly fare? Ask them! Send a polite email or ask to speak
to a manager and offer suggestions.
And if you need tips for eating
veg at some of the nation’s most popular restaurants, just check out this
video:
veg at some of the nation’s most popular restaurants, just check out this
video:
(photo credit: Melissa Horn)
