Looking for halal food in Kyoto? Kyoto is one of our favourite cities in Japan (if you don’t already know by now?) and one of the many reasons why we love it, is, of course, THE FOOD! From amazing halal ramen to sushi and wagyu, there’s just so much to try in Kyoto. Well, if you're making a trip to Kyoto this holidays (or if you're just looking for some holiday ideas?), here's a list of 10 halal eateries in Kyoto! This is definitely the most important guide you'll need when visiting the amazing city.
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1. Halal Ramen Naritaya Gion
Craving for MORE ramen? Be sure to visit Naritaya when you’re visiting Gion in Kyoto! It’s also the second branch in Japan, opening shortly after the one in Asakusa, Tokyo.
If Ayam-ya is famous for their chicken broth ramen, then Naritaya is where you should try miso ramen and their famous fried chicken karaage! Trust us, your trip to Japan won’t be complete without trying these dishes. ?
An extra perk of visiting Naritaya? They offer a prayer room and ablution facilities, complete with prayer times and the direction of the Qiblat. Prayer mats and garments are included, but do note that the space is quite small. They even have free Wi-Fi in the restaurant, so you can stay connected too.
Halal status: Halal-certified
Price: ¥300 - ¥1600
Opening hours: 11am - 10pm daily
Contact No:+81 75-531-8200
Address: Ability Gion Bldg. 1F, 424 Rinkacho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 605-0062 (東山区林下町424 アビリティ祇園1F, 605-0062 Kyoto, Japan)
Directions: Naritaya is a 5-minute walk from the Keihan Gion-Shijo Station, 10-minute walk from Tozai Line Higashiyama Station and 10-minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto Line Kawaramachi Station.
2. Naritaya [Annex]
Credit: @aeyeshaaaa on Instagram
If you've heard of Halal Naritaya Ramen, you also may have heard of its sister eatery Halal Yakiniku Naritaya located nearby. We were recently kindly informed by a reader that the store no longer specialises in yakiniku but has instead been changed up to serve ramen, rice bowls, and set meals, among other things. The eatery's name has also been changed to Naritaya [Annex].
The Spicy Miso Ramen is always a hit, but if you're in the mood for something else, the Stewed Beef Gorogoro rice bowl will hit the spot! You can even choose between the Regular, Large and Extra-Large-sized servings depending on how hungry you are! If you're still looking for the meaty goodness of yakiniku, they have a Yakiniku Plate on the menu too.
Credit: @aeyeshaaaa on Instagram
The restaurant is located just a few shops down from the main ramen shop, so one way to fit both into your itinerary would be to have a delicious bowl of ramen for lunch, head over to Gion for the afternoon, and then return in the evening for some yummy beef rice bowls! ?
Halal status: Halal-certified
Price: from ¥800
Opening hours: Open daily; 11.30AM-8.30PM
Address: 422-2 Rinkacho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 605-0062
Directions: 5-minute walk from the Keihan Gion-Shijo Station, 10-minute walk from Tozai Line Higashiyama Station and 10-minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto Line Kawaramachi Station
Contact: +81 75-744-1350
3. Kiyomizu Junsei Okabeya
Credit: Kiyomizu Junsei Okabeya
Kyoto is famous for its yudofu (simmered tofu in hot water) and if you want to try this local delicacy, you have to visit this restaurant! It’s also conveniently located near the Kiyomizu-dera Temple (3-minute walk away), so it’s a perfect stop for lunch.
There are several set meals for you to choose from, with the cheapest, with 7 food items in the set, to the most expensive, with a total of 12 food items. Don’t worry, they all come with yudofu! Plus, they also have a Sukiyaki set where you can indulge in juicy and tender beef and eat it together with the yudofu.
Credit: @rorai212 on Instagram
#HHWT Tip: Make a reservation for the halal menu at least a day in advance. As the restaurant is located near the famous Kiyomizu temple, make sure to include it in your sightseeing plan! While the temple is currently under renovation until March 2020, the grounds and smaller buildings are still a gorgeous sight to behold! You can also walk through streets lined with traditional Japanese houses on your way from the temple complex to the restaurant. ?
Halal status: Halal-certified menu available
Price: Set meals range from ¥2160 - ¥4000
Opening hours: 10.30am - 5pm daily
Contact: +81 75-541-7111
Address: Kiyomizu 2 cho-me, Kiyomizu-dera Monzen, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 605-0862
Directions: Okabeya is an 8-minute walk from the nearest bus stop, Gojyo-zaka which serves bus 206. Alternatively, Okabeya is a 5-minute walk from Kiyomizu-dera via Matsubara Dori
4. Nanzan
Okay, we’re starting off with a disclaimer for this one. It’s pricey and might be one of your most expensive purchases during your trip. But oh-so-worth saving up for! Where else can you try authentic halal wagyu yakiniku that tastes amazing and melts in your mouth?!
Nanzan offers two different set meals – each with salad, rice, soup and dessert. Both sets include Kyotankuro Wagyu – the highest quality of beef produced in Kyoto Prefecture! The Kyoto Wagyu BBQ set (¥5000) includes 5 different cuts and assorted vegetables. The wagyu is dry-aged for a month by a chef who trained in France in the art of dry-aging - so you can bet that it'll be a taste you've never experienced before!
If you’re still craving for more after your set meal, there are a number of items on the ala-carte menu such as additional cuts, scallops, squid and wagyu sushi, so feel free to pick and choose! Interested to find out more about Nanzan? Check out our review!
#HHWT Tip: Do remember to make your reservation at least 3 days in advance by calling the restaurant at +81-75-722-4131 however they only accept calls from local Japanese numbers. It will be easier to ask your hotel concierge or guide for help if you’re not able to speak Japanese.
Halal status: Halal-certified menu available
Price: Starts from ¥5,000 (excluding tax)
Opening hours: 11am to 10.30PM (last order at 10pm)
Contact: +81-75-722-4131
Address: Kitayama Notre Dame Mae, 31 Shimogamo Kitanononogami-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto city 606-0846 (京都市左京区下鴨北野々神町31 北山通ノートルダム小前)
Directions: Take the Kyoto Subway Karasuma Line and alight at Matsugasaki Station. Nanzan is about a 6-minute walk from the station.
Website | Facebook | Instagram
5. Ukihashi, Hotel Granvia Kyoto
Whether you’re in the mood for a halal Japanese bento or want to go all out and try halal kaiseki (traditional Japanese course meal), Ukihashi is the place for you! You can choose from either the bento or kaiseki meal, and yes, they are both really really good ?
P.S. Find out more in our review of Ukihashi’s bento and kaiseki!
For the uninitiated, the dishes in a kaiseki usually varies by season. The meal we had at Ukihashi started with a seasonal tofu, traditional clear broth, and then grilled beef with mushroom and vegetables, tempura, steamed rice, dessert and more!
#HHWT Tip: Do remember to make a reservation at least 3 days in advance through phone (+81 75-344-8888) or via their contact page.
Halal status: Halal-certified menu available
Price: ¥4,200 for the bento and ¥8,300 for the kaiseki
Opening hours: 7am - 10am (Breakfast, a halal-certified breakfast buffet is available), 11.30am - 3pm (Lunch, last order 2pm), 5pm - 10pm (Dinner, last order 9pm)
Contact no: +81 75-344-8888
Address: M3F, Hotel Granvia Kyoto, 901, JR Kyoto Station, Karasuma Chuo-guchi, Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8216
Directions: The hotel is located just above Kyoto Station and the restaurant is located in the hotel.
6. Honke Tankuma Honten
Another restaurant offering halal kaiseki is Honke Tankuma Honten! If you’re looking for a premium restaurant to try your halal kaiseki, this establishment definitely fits the bill. It’s been around for 90 over years now and if you’re wondering why it's so pricey… Well, that’s because it’s a 1-star Michelin restaurant
Credit: Honke Tankuma on Facebook
You can choose a kaiseki course from a range of 7 to 11 items and each of them is differently priced. Expect to indulge in some quality sashimi and tempura, served up in a beautiful display!
Credit: @honketankuma on Instagram
Do note that Honke Tankuma has a 2nd outlet at the Takashimaya department store in Shimogyo-ku, however we are unable to confirm if a halal menu is served there.
#HHWT Tip: Do call them 2 days in advance to make a reservation for their halal kyo-kaiseki, or use their online reservation form!
Halal status: Halal-certified menu available
Price: From ¥10,000 - ¥50,000
Opening Hours: 1130am - 3pm and 5pm - 10pm (Mon - Sat), closed on Sundays
Contact: Call +81 50-3628-1645 or reserve online
Address: 168 Izumiya-cho Kiyamachi-dori, Bukkoji-Sagaru Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
Directions: Around 6 mins walk away from Gion-shijo station
Website | Facebook | Instagram
7. Yoshiya Kyoto Arashiyama
Credit: Yoshiya Restaurant on Facebook
Located in the popular tourist district of Arashiyama (yes, the one with the bamboo forest?), Yoshiya specialises in halal washoku (traditional Japanese dishes) and they also serve seasonal cuisine from Saga prefecture. There's also a wagyu beef shabu shabu set (¥4500) that will taste exceptionally amazing if you're visiting during the winter!
Try their Shokado Lunch Sets which includes a tofu hotpot and side dishes like tempura, chicken karaage, sashimi or soba. This hearty meal will definitely fill your tummy after all that walking at Arashiyama!
Credit: Yoshiya Restaurant on Facebook
Alternatively, you can also get their cheaper bento sets where you can enjoy some tempura and soba or chicken karaage sets. If you're looking for a snack, they also sell piping-hot croquettes (¥700 for 5 pc) and spicy chicken karaage (¥278)!
Halal status: Halal-certified menu available
Price: ¥1350 - ¥5000
Opening hours: 11am - 5.30pm daily
Contact No: +81 75-871-0448
Address: 31, Sagatenryuji Tsukurimichicho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto (右京区嵯峨天龍寺造路町31, Kyoto, Japan)
Directions: Yoshiya is about a 4-minute walk from Keifuku Arashiyama Station and 11-minute walk from Hankyu Arashiyama Station
8. Umemori Kyoto
Credit: Umemori Sushi School Kyoto on Facebook
Ever wanted to try making your own sushi? Well, now you can do just that at Umemori Kyoto! The best part is, the eatery offers halal ingredients so you can enjoy making your sushi without any worries.
From measuring the weight of the rice to perfectly slicing the fish and other ingredients for your sushi, rest assured you'll be your own chef in no time! After you're done, you can top up your meal with tempura or udon.
Credit: @lintao_tan on Instagram
Plus, you'll also get a certificate at the end of the class so you can show it off to all your friends back home and perhaps try making it yourself?
#HHWT Tip: Do reserve your class at least a week in advance by emailing kyoto-umemori@umemori.co.jp.
Halal status: Halal-certified
Price: from ¥6,480 (Light Sushi) - ¥100,000 (4-hour Master Course)
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm daily
Contact: Call +81 75-601-1414 or email kyoto-umemori@umemori.co.jp
Address: 8 Takeda Matsubayashicho, Fushimi-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 612-8371 (〒612-8371 京都市伏見区竹田松林町8)
Directions: Umemori is about a 15-minute walk from Fushimi Station
9. Okonomiyaki Sansei
Credit: @okonomiyaki.sansei on Instagram
Okonomiyaki Sansei is where you can enjoy a halal version of okonomiyaki, a specialty in Japan's Kansai region. For the uninitiated, okonomiyaki is a Japanese-style "pancake" where you can choose various toppings like octopus, squid or shrimp and then it's mixed with flour, eggs, shredded cabbage and grated yam, before it's grilled to perfection.
What's great about this dish is you can watch the chef prepare it right in front of you, which means that it's really fresh! Other than okonomiyaki, the eatery also serves yakisoba and yakiudon plus a number of sets. Don't forget to complete your meal with their appetising ice desserts too ?
Credit: @okonomiyaki.sansei on Instagram
Do note that you'll need to make a reservation for a halal meal at least 1 day in advance. Email sansei.kyoto@gmail.com or drop them a direct message via Instagram to confirm your reservation.
#HHWT Tip: The restaurant appears on Google Maps, however the opening hours listed on Google are different from its official hours. We advise you to contact the restaurant at least a few days in advance to confirm that they will be open.
Halal status: Halal-certified menu available
Price: From ¥780 - ¥1280 (Basic options without additional toppings)
Opening hours: 10am - 1am (Reservations 10am - 5pm)
Address: 2F Haitsukusunoki, 8th Kamihakubai-cho Kitano, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8325
Directions: Take the Keifuku Line to Kitanohakubaicho Station and walk for 2 minutes
Contact: Call +81 75-467-9933, email sansei.kyoto@gmail.com or Instagram DM
10. Ramen Factory Kyoto
Credit: Ramen Factory Kyoto on Facebook
If making halal sushi isn't enough to immerse yourself in local Japanese culture, why not make some ramen too? At Ramen Factory Kyoto, you can do just that! But it's not just the ramen noodles that you're preparing; you can also make your own broth and pick your own meat.
Wheat, rice and miso (from fermented soybeans) are used in making the soup, while chicken meat and alcohol-free soy sauce are added to the pot for that extra oomph! After all that toiling for the perfect ramen, tuck into a piping hot (and delicious!) soup and remember to slurp your ramen as you eat it!
Credit: @jamminmunchies on Instagram
If you don't have the time to make your own ramen, don't worry! You can simply pop in to the eatery and indulge in any of their ready-made ramen dishes.
#HHWT Tip: After you're done enjoying your ramen, head over to their prayer room to do your prayers.
Halal status: Halal meat and ingredients used
Price: From ¥3500 and ¥2500 (Adult and Child Express course) onwards
Opening hours: 11am - 7pm daily
Contact No: +81 75-741-7104 or reserve via online form
Address: Higashiyama-ku, Honmachi 15-chōme, 814−18, Kyoto, Japan
Directions: Ramen Factory is just a 3-minute walk away from Tofukuji station. Tofukuji station is only one stop away from Kyoto station and Fushimi-inari station.
We're pretty sure by now, you can't wait to get your fix of halal Japanese food in Kyoto! With these 12 awesome eateries, you're now all set to conquer Kyoto. Have fun on your gastronomic adventure!