Nagi Shokudo
July 25, 2008 
Nestled in the heart of Shibuya is a super-rad vegan restaurant called Nagi Shokudo. In a country where finding vegan food can often be difficult, Nagi serves it up both deliciously and with a ton of culture on the side. The owner, Oda-san, publishes a great Japanese language music magazine called Map that covers indie music. He also runs a small label called Compare Notes Records that puts out some of the most pleasing Japanese indie pop out there today.
Nagi is especially awesome because it doubles as an exhibition space. The restaurant currently houses a show by husband and wife art powerhouse Mumbreeze. There is an extensive Japanese/English zine library, a small CD shop, and a mini-bookstore built in, as well. You can snag design related items like Plazm, Crap Hound, and books on obscure topics like the history of the development of elevators in Japan.
If you are coming to Japan and want a slice of what indie culture is like here, a visit to Nagi is a must, whether you are vegetarian or not. Your food'll most likely be served to you by Ueno-san, one of Japan's greatest contemporary guitar players and made by some of the most active cultural forces in Tokyo today.
And if you hold vegan food in question, you'll find your perspective completely changed by the massive portions that come out of the kitchen for less than $10 including miso soup, drink, and side dishes.
Tell your friends. Instead of having a Lost In Translation-type experience, come down to Nagi and get down with the locals. Your stomach and your brain will thank you for it.
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