7 Must-go Halal-friendly Restaurants in Tokyo

Tokyo is one magical place on earth, and it should be on every travel bug's list of places to visit before they die. In Tokyo, you'll be fascinated to find the narrow streets humming with tourists and locals, smells of funky street food cooking drifting through the air, and little shops selling all sorts of fun and quirky trinkets. And just a little ways from all this hustle and bustle, there are zen temples with a feeling of peace and quiet encompassing them.

 

But as Muslims, we are always worried about one very important thing no matter which place we are traveling to, especially to a non-Muslim country like Japan, and that's how to find Halal food in Tokyo. But the good news is, more and more restaurants have begun serving Muslim-friendly food in Tokyo to cater to the growing number of Muslim tourists, and there are plenty of places where you can locate awesome Halal food in Tokyo.

 

When in Tokyo, you must eat like the Japanese! Japanese cuisine consists of some of the best dishes worldwide. Japanese dishes are often clean and precise; and can be smoky, spicy, and full of punch at other times. But one thing's for sure: it will keep drawing you in for more! And you won't get to taste its authenticity anywhere else like you would in Tokyo, so don't miss out on these Halal foods in Tokyo.

 

Here are some of the most famous dishes from the Japanese cuisine:

 

Sushi: Everyone's heard of Sushi, but not everyone's tried it. What better time than when in Tokyo? And if you're worried about if eating raw fish is Halal, don't be! As long as it's been cleaned properly and the dish doesn't contain other non-Halal ingredients, you're good to go! If you still feel squeamish, you can also try the types of cooked Sushi available.

 

 

Tempura: Tempura is a type of fritter where seafood or vegetables are dipped in a thin batter and deep fried.

 

Picture Credit - www.taste.com.au
 

Ramen: A Chinese-style wheat noodles dish that is cooked and served with a meat or seafood broth and served with various bits and bobs on top.

 

 

Picture Credit -  www.chowhound.com

Okonomiyaki: A grilled Japanese pancake, served with meat, vegetables, and various condiments.

 

 

Yakitori: Literally meaning 'burnt chicken, this is a skewered chicken dish grilled over a charcoal fire.

 

 

Shabu-Shabu: A Japanese hotpot dish of thinly sliced meat and vegetables boiled in a pot and served with a dipping sauce.

 

 

Bento: These are Japanese lunch boxes that traditionally contain rice or noodles, vegetables, and fish/meat.

 

 

Mochi: Japanese rice cakes made with a short grain glutinous rice.

 

 

Miso Soup: A traditional soup made using a 'dashi stock, which contains softened miso (a fermented bean paste). Vegetables, meat, and seasonings are added later.

 

 

You can locate Halal food in Tokyo with just a little bit of pre-planning. But we've done most of the work for you and wrangled up a list of some of the must-visit food spots in Tokyo!

 

Picture Credit - muslim-guide.jp

 

This Yakiniku restaurant in Roppongi that brings you Japanese cuisine with a Korean twist is definitely a must-visit food spot in Tokyo. This is one of the only places to find top class Halal Wagyu beef sourced from the Miyazaki Prefecture (cattle fed on herbs). It comes with a bunch of a-la-carte side dishes, and there is no shortage of Korean Kimchi. Get their Sumiyakiya set for a value deal, and don't forget to make a reservation at least one day in advance.

For more information about Sumiyakiya Nishiazabu 

 

 

This hole-in-the-wall Halal Japanese BBQ restaurant in Tokyo is definitely worthy of a visit and the perfect spot to locate Halal dishes in Tokyo's bustling Shibuya. It serves simple food and the menu only consists of three set items (chicken, beef – two types, chicken & beef). One of the best parts of dining here is the experience of grilling your own meat on the charcoal stove. A word of advice is to call ahead and make a reservation to avoid queues as this place is quite small.

For more information about Gyumon

 

If you're looking for the best Halal restaurant in Tokyo for the ultimate Ramen experience, there's no better place than Shinjuku! The restaurant gives out a comfortable vibe, thanks to the extremely friendly and courteous staff. The broth that the Ramen is served for is made with sea bream and is to die for! They also serve extra rice (ochazuke) to eat with your broth that remains at the end. The portion sizes are pretty generous and filling, and the Ramen set that comes with Japanese-style chicken meatball and Yakitori! Finish the meal off with a glass of oolong tea. A good tip is to make a reservation beforehand, or you might be looking at a waiting time from 30 minutes to 2 hours!

 

Hanasaki Ji-San is one of the only Halal-certified Shabu-Shabu restaurants in Shibuya. Their best feature is definitely the deliciously tender pieces of Wagyu beef, if the raving reviews are anything to go by! The place is cozy and the staff are friendly, so don't worry if you're a newbie to this type of food because they will take you through it step by step. The Shabu-Shabu set consists of the beef, a super flavorful broth, tempura, and grilled fish. You can also try their Bento or Shashimi as well!

For more information about Hanasaka Ji-San

 

 

If you're looking to find nearby Halal food places in Tokyo in the Asakusa area, then Naritaya is one spot you cannot miss. They are known best for their delicious Ramen dishes. They serve noodles that are made fresh at their own factory in a delicious chicken-based broth, along with a chilli paste on the side (if you are chilli lover, go all in!). And it's definitely a fun experience to order thorough the vending machine placed at the entrance that is authentic to traditional Japanese Ramen stalls. Naritaya also gets bonus points for having a prayer room (just ask the staff)!

For more information about Naritaya

 

Picture Credit - en.japantravel.com

 

If you're a seafood lover, then this is one of the must-visit food spots in Tokyo for you. Their seafood Ramen dishes are the main feature. The broth, made from fish head and bones is called 'Ara-jiru' and is served with 'Heshiko Onigiri' (a pickled fish and rice ball). Their prawn balls topped with seaweed are another best seller. But when you're ordering, be sure to let them know not to add chicken or meat. Their broths, and all other dishes are made with seafood and no meat or alcohol. It's not Halal certified but mentioned as Muslim-friendly on the Halal Media Japan website.

For more information about Menya Kaijin

 

Picture Credit - www.savorjapan.com

 

How can we finish this list of ultimate Halal Japanese restaurants in Tokyo without the mention of a Halal sushi spot? Well we've saved the best for the end! This sushi restaurant in Asakusa just started catering to Muslims, and every dish is carefully prepared using only freshest and finest ingredients. And don't worry, even if you're wrangling a group of non-sushi-lovers with you, they'll have plenty of options to choose from (tempura, Yakitori, soba noodles, etc.).

For more information about Sushiken Asakusa

 

Discover Halal Japanese Food