The 6 Best Gluten Free Restaurants in Kanazawa, Japan

Are you celiac, or gluten intolerant, and traveling to Kanazawa, Japan? Then you’re in the right place! As a fellow celiac, here is all you need to know about Gluten Free Kanazawa.😍👇

Being a lesser known destination, I did not expect Kanazawa to have many gluten free options for me and I accepted my “7/11 boiled egg diet” fate before arriving. Thankfully, I was SO wrong!😂😍

Kanazawa has a phenomenal culinary scene and while it’s limited on GF options, the options we do have are amazing. With that said, keep reading to discover the best gluten free restaurants in Kanazawa!😍

Disclaimer: This post has affiliate links that can help me earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. If you click through and buy with these links, thank you in advance for the extra support.💖😊

Best Gluten Free Restaurants in Kanazawa

Reminder: Make sure to ALWAYS need to state your celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

🫶 More Gluten Free Japan Guides: Gluten Free Kyoto & Gluten Free Tokyo

Aashirwad (Celiac Friendly)

• ⭐️ Rating: 5 on Find Me Gluten Free
• 📍 Location: 1-chōme-4-59 Nagamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0865, Japan
• 💰 Price Range: $$

Aashirwad, which translates to “blessing”, truly lives up to its name. Located in the Nagamachi Samurai District, this is a spectacular Indian and Nepalese restaurant owned by a Japanese and Nepalese couple.

The two stars of Aashirwad are the chefs, Chef Promoj and Chef Binoj, who come from Northern India. They both began cooking at an early age, between 15 and 20, and started their Japan journey in Tokyo – before moving to Kanazawa.

Aashirwad has many dishes that are naturally gluten free, but the staff is also very aware of the allergy and takes proper care of its customers. At lunch time they offer a set menu, while at dinner you pick anything from their regular menu.

Something important to note is that this is a smaller restaurant with a small staff. Due to this, there may be long wait times to get into the restaurant, or a longer wait to receive your meals. Come here ready to be patient, but also ready to eat some of the most delicious food ever.

This restaurant is the best Indian restaurant I’ve eaten at, and I find myself often craving their cuisine. Don’t get me started on their Mango Lassi…

This is one of the best restaurants in Kanazawa, and is simply a must visit!

The Godburger (Gluten Free Friendly)

• ⭐️ Rating: 4.6 on Google
• 📍 Location: Japan, 〒920-0961 Ishikawa, Kanazawa, Korinbo, 2 Chome−12−10 せせらぎパサージュ 1-A
• 💰 Price Range: $$

If you’re a fan of burgers, the Godburger will be a foodie heaven for you!

Also located in the Nagamachi Samurai District, the Godburger is a small restaurant with one Japanese chef who creates spectacular burgers. The chef has a right hand who creates the insanely delicious fries.

The Chef created such a high-quality patty that he has one restaurant rule: no sauces on the first bite. This means, don’t add ketchup, mustard, or anything until you’ve had the first bite. With this rule, the Chef proudly shows off the high-quality and sole flavors of the patty he perfected.

I personally enjoyed the patty so much I did not add anything else.

Something important to note is that this is not a dedicated gluten free restaurant, but the chef is aware of the allergy and can make a gluten free burger by making a lettuce wrap.

Everything is cooked separately, but there could be a minor chance of cross contamination. I personally, as a celiac, felt perfectly fine and safe.

Shirom Creperie (100% Gluten Free)

• ⭐️ Rating: 4.7 on Find Me Gluten Free
• 📍 Location: 4-8 Oyamamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0918, Japan
• 💰 Price Range: $$

Shirom Creperie is a delicious crêpe restaurant that offers a 100% gluten free menu, of which the stars are crêpes and galletes.

This creperie is very small, with only one table for 2 people and 6 seats at the counter. Along the physical size, the operating hours are also fairly small. The restaurant is only open from Thursday to Saturday, 11 AM to 3 PM.

With that said, Shirom Creperie is a great place to grab a late breakfast, snack, or quick lunch.

Cafe Tamon (Celiac Safe Restaurant)

• ⭐️ Rating: 4.5 on Find Me Gluten Free
• 📍 Location: 1-chōme-27-7 Higashiyama, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0831, Japan
• 💰 Price Range: $$

One food you cannot miss out on when traveling in Japan, is the iconic Soufflé Pancakes!

As a fun historic fact, the Ishikawa Prefecture, known as the Kaga Domain in the Edo Period, was the wealthiest domain in Japan. Back then, a domain would be considered wealthy based on the amount of rice and crops they produced. With that said, Kanazawa and its prefecture have a strong and long history with rice.

To this day, the Ishikawa Prefecture continues to continues to grow rice – and that’s where Cafe Tamon joins the conversation!

Cafe Tamon is a small restaurant that focuses on using locally produced and consumed foods. With a strong passion for their culture and sustainability, Cafe Tamon makes its rice flour by using locally-grown rice that would’ve been discarded due to “imperfections”.

By using rice flour, Cafe Tamon’s pancakes are naturally gluten free and celiac safe. However, there are some pancakes that might have gluten-containing-toppings. With that said, always make sure to mention your allergy and confirm the gluten free options!

This beautiful restaurant sits within the historic Higashi Chaya District, Kanazawa’s largest Geisha District. If you’re spending 2 days in Kanazawa, or more, breakfast at Cafe Tamon is the best way to start the day!😍

Fuwari – Traditional Izakaya (Gluten Free Friendly)

• ⭐️ Rating: on Find Me Gluten Free
• 📍 Location: Japan, 〒920-0902 Ishikawa, Kanazawa, Owaricho, 2 Chome−6−57 串茶屋風和利
• 💰 Price Range: $$

An Izakaya is an informal Japanese bar that offers dishes and snacks, along with alcoholic drinks. In different terms, an Izakaya is comparable to a Spanish tapas bar or a pub.

Fuwari is a highly-rated restaurant that can cater to celiacs, as the staff is very aware of gluten. The restaurant offers gluten free soy sauce, and here you can enjoy sashimi, grilled meat options, and so forth.

Fuwari is a higher-scale Izakaya and is very popular amongst locals and tourists alike. Here it’s recommended to have a reservation.

Sushi Ippei (Gluten Free Friendly)

• ⭐️ Rating: 5 on Find Me Gluten Free
• 📍 Location: Japan, 〒920-0981 Ishikawa, Kanazawa, Katamachi, 1-chōme−5−２６ Ｎｏ．１スクエア
• 💰 Price Range: $$

Sushi Ippei is a highly-rated sushi restaurant that offers gluten-free friendly sushi.

This restaurant was high on my list but, unfortunately, I was unable to visit. In the restaurant reviews, celiacs report that the owners are aware about gluten and can accomodate gluten-free customers.

As always, make sure to double check with the staff about gluten and cross-contamination.

Omicho Market – Kanazawa’s Biggest Food Market

• ⭐️ Rating: on Find Me Gluten Free
• 📍 Location: 50 Kamiomicho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0905, Japan
• 💰 Price Range: N/A

Omicho Market has over 180 stalls and is Kanazawa’s largest food market. This food market is over 300 years old, and is simply a must visit when in Kanazawa.

Within the Omicho Market, it is possible to find some gluten free options. I personally got to enjoy some fresh crab and the juiciest strawberry daifuku (mochi).

I highly recommend walking around here and trying fresh seafood and produce. When it comes to foods such as Daifukus, which are traditionally gluten free, always check in with the vendors and double check with them about gluten.

Convenience Stores Safe Snacks: Lawson, 7/11, Family Mart

• Boiled Eggs. Trust me, they are so delicious! They are perfectly gooey and flavorful.😍
• Meiji Chocolate Covered Almonds and Macadamia nuts.
• SoyJoy Bars.
• Vegetables/Fruits.
• (WITH CAUTION) Grilled Salmon Flake Onigiris. This is a hot debate amongst celiacs. I specifically had Lawson’s Grilled Salmon Flake Onigiris and always felt great – and so have other fellow celiacs. I cannot attest to those from 7/11 and Family Mart.

Important Note: You will find some snacks that you eat back at home. Just because they are safe in your home country, they are not necessarily safe in Japan – due to ingredients and cross contamination. Always be cautious and double check.

Gluten Free Kanazawa: FAQs & Everything to Know

Kanazawa Allergen Map

IF you are not celiac, check out this Kanazawa Allergens map – which states which restaurants are WHEAT free. When something is wheat free, it is not necessarily gluten free due to things like Malt and Barley. With that said, always double check with restaurants if they’re also gluten free or not.

What is Surprisingly not Gluten Free in Japan?

Japan is a country with almost no celiac disease, just a few gluten intolerances. Due to this, many are not aware of what gluten really is – only wheat.

Some foods in Japan that are surprisingly not gluten free include omelettes and sushi. Sushi, for example, tends to NOT be gluten free due to the rice vinegar, which contains malt.🫠.

With that said, when you see something is wheat free, it may not be GLUTEN free due to malt, barley, and so forth. Furthermore, just because the ingredients of a dish are naturally gluten free, you may not be safe due to sauces and seasonings which are very common in most dishes.

Is Being Gluten Free in Japan Hard?

Being gluten free in Japan is hard, but not impossible. In each city and town I visited there were always some safe options. With that said, it’s crucial that you mentally prepare yourself and bring gluten free foods from home.

During your travels, you will likely have to go back to the same safe restaurants or areas. For example, in Tokyo you will need to stay around Shibuya for meals, as that’s where you find all the gluten free restaurants.

Gluten Free in Japan Travel Tips

• Download Google Translate and use the Image Translate feature
• Join Gluten Free in Japan Facebook Group – this is an amazing community always ready to help!
• Bring gluten free snacks with you to Japan, and always have something on you during the day. I highly recommend bringing a mix of salty and sweet snacks on your daily adventures.

Protect Yourself Abroad!

This is the last thing anyone wants to think about, but if you have severe symptoms to gluten or other allergens, it’s important to be ready.

I strongly recommend getting travel medical coverage because you never know what could happen, and when you may need it. Nomad Insurance starts at just $42 per 4 weeks, and while I hope you never have to use it, it’s there in case of emergencies – which can rack up expenses.

Covering people in 185+ countries for medical emergency, SafetyWing is a flexible and affordable insurance for any of your travels!🗺️

More Information on Kanazawa & Japan

• Is Kanazawa Worth Visiting? 14 Reasons Why it Is!
• 9 Best Gluten Free Restaurants in Tokyo | A Celiac’s Guide
• How to Spend the Best 2 Days in Kanazawa
• 18 Best Things to do in Kanazawa
• The Ultimate Guide to the Kenrokuen Garden
• Do I really need a JR Pass in? Here’s Everything You Need to Know!

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I have to ask…

Which of these places in gluten free Kanazawa are you most excited to eat at? Furthermore, did this post help you feel more at ease about your Japan travels? Let me know in the comments!😊

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