So much has changed in Tokyo since we last updated this food guide, especially as the pandemic hit, which affected multiple businesses ? Now that travel is back and Japan is set to welcome more unrestricted tourism come October 2022, it's time to restart your Japan trip planning now! Warning – Do not read this on an empty stomach ?
#HHWT Tip: Most of these restaurants require a reservation at least one to three days in advance, so we highly recommend you make a reservation to be safe!
Note: Opening hours of these eateries might change from time to time. We advise you to confirm their opening hours on their social media platforms or website.
P.S. Check out our Tokyo budget itinerary for 7D7N (under RM3000!)
Ramen
1. Ayam-YA Okachimachi
Credit: Ayam-YA Okachimachi Tokyo on Facebook
Ayam-YA's yummy bowl of halal ramen in rich white chicken soup is just what you need after a whole day of walking and exploring Plus its location near the popular and well-connected Ueno station is super convenient to get to!
#HHWT Tip: If you need to do your prayers, the Masjid Assalam Okachimachi is only a 2-minutes' walk away.
Credit: Ayam-YA Okachimachi Tokyo on Facebook
If you want a stronger kick in your bowl of noodles, you can also opt for the spicy version if you feel like it. Other than ramen, Ayam-YA also serves tsukemen (cold dipping ramen) and rice bowls.
Halal Status: Halal-Certified (by Japan Halal Foundation)
The average price of main dishes: JPY1000
Opening Hours: Open daily; 11:30AM–2:30PM, 5PM–9PM
Address: 4 Chome-10-1 Taito, Tokyo 110-0016, Japan
Contact:+81 3-4360-3672
P.S. Are you travelling to an area of Tokyo without halal restaurants? Check out these halal bento deliveries!
2. Ramen Honolu
If you're visiting Shibuya, head to Ramen Honolu in Ebisu to enjoy various types of chicken ramen.
Credit: @karienass on Instagram
You can savour chicken ramen in whatever way you like – spicy, soy sauce or fried chicken. The thick and rich taste of the chicken broth will leave you wanting more. Besides the ramen, you can also order some light bites like gyoza and takoyaki! ? This bowl of hot, savoury ramen will warm the heart. Happy tummy guaranteed!
Credit: @honolu_asakusa on Instagram
Ramen Honolu has recently opened a new outlet in the Kaminarimon area of Asakusa. Besides their yummy ramen and sides, you can also try halal cream daifuku in various flavours or order takeaways like fried chicken or yakiniku bento.
Halal Status: Halal-Certified
The average price of main dishes: JPY1000
Ebisu outlet
Opening hours: Open daily; 11.30AM-2.30PM, 5PM-9PM
Address: 1 Chome-23-1 Shibuya, Ebisuminami, Tokyo 150-0022, Japan
Contact: +81 3-5734-1667
Website | Facebook | Instagram (Ebisu) |
P.S. They also have another outlet in Osaka!
3. Menya Kaijin
Want a change from the typical chicken/miso broth? Then you'll have to visit Menya Kaijin and try their seafood ramen! The fish-and-seafood-based broth is clear & really light but still yummy. Plus, it's also located in the heart of Tokyo, Shinjuku, which is super convenient to get to!
Halal Status: Seafood options available, broth is purely fish-based. The chicken is not halal, but pork or alcohol is not used in food preparation. Let the staff know that you don't want the chicken to be added, they can replace it with shrimp. Utensils are also not separated. Alcohol is served in the establishment. Since this is not a halal-certified restaurant, we advise you to dine at your discretion.
The average price of main dishes: JPY1000
Opening hours: Mon-Fri; 11AM-3PM, 4.30PM-10PM, Sat-Sun; 11AM-10PM
Address: 2F, 3-35-7, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (Shinjuku outlet),
2F, 1-5-9, Kichijojiminamimachi, Musashino-shi, Tokyo (Kichijoji outlet)
Contact: +81 03-3356-5658
P.S. Looking for accommodation in Shinjuku? Here are 9 hostels and hostels that you'd love!
4. Halal Sakura
Probably the only halal restaurant you can find near Nippori station, Halal Sakura is the first restaurant in Tokyo to offer both Japanese and Uighur cuisine!
Credit: @fanyadriii on Instagram
The ramen here is traditional soy sauce-based and simmered with beef bones, making it tantalising. They also have miso ramen and chilled dry ramen. What's interesting here is that they serve their ramen with kimchi ?
Credit: @fanyadriii on Instagram
Those of you who want to try Uighur cuisine can do so here, too - with a signature Uighur hotpot and BBQ skewers. Plus, they have Japanese BBQ with wagyu beef, so it's the perfect place to head to for a feast.
Halal status: Halal-certified (by Nippon Asia Halal Association)
The average price of main dishes: JPY1000 (for ramen), JPY1400 (for sets), JPY3300 (for hotpots)
Opening hours: 12PM-9PM daily; closed on Tuesdays
Address: 2-18-11, Negishi, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0003
Contact:+81 3-6802-3171
P.S. Cooking your own meal instead? These 8 convenience stores and supermarkets in Tokyo have halal meat and products!
5. T's Tantan (Tokyo Station)
Sightseeing around Tokyo station or travelling but need a quick meal fix? Head over to T's Tantan - an eatery specialising in vegan ramen. If the idea of having a vegan never appealed to you, this would make you change your mind as even meat lovers have high praises for it.
Credit: @veganminniemouse on Instagram
Ramen is usually made using meat bones to give it its rich taste, but, amazingly, T's don't use any meat, fish, egg or dairy products in their ramen. They have various ramen broths like white sesame, golden sesame and black sesame plus soy/peanut dressing to enrich its taste. The thin noodles also have a great texture and pair well with the light broth. Don't forget to try the ramen with gyoza and fried soya meat too!
Halal status: Fully vegan menu, Alcohol is served in the establishment, so do dine at your discretion.
Average price of main dishes: JPY800
Opening hours: Open daily; 10AM - 10PM
Address: 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (Inside JR Tokyo station, Yaesu South exit, 1F, Keiyo Street)
Contact: +81 3-3218-8040
P.S. If you're not sure if you should get the JR Pass? Our guide will help you to see if it's worth it!
Yakiniku
6. Gyumon
Located in the bustling streets of Shibuya, Gyumon is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant with authentic halal yakiniku. It’s the perfect place for a hearty dinner after a shopping session in Shibuya!
Ordering is pretty simple; you just have to choose the cut you want, and they’ll serve it to you raw. The raw beef is lightly marinated with salt and pepper, allowing you to savour the taste of the tender beef slices. Have fun grilling the meat on the charcoal stove! We’re absolutely in love with the beef tenderloin, grilled to medium rare perfection!
Make a reservation by dropping them a call to avoid any queues as the restaurant is relatively small! If you didn't manage to get a spot during dinnertime, don't worry! Guymon has started serving lunch sets consisting of gyudon (beef bowls) and they are more affordably priced, at JPY1000 per bowl.
Halal Status: Food is halal-certified but do note that alcohol is served in the establishment. We advise you to dine at your own discretion.
Average price of main dishes: JPY3000-4000
Opening Hours: 5PM-12AM, daily
Address: 3 Chome-14-5 Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0002, Japan
Contact: +81 03-5469-2911
Website | Facebook | Instagram
7. Gyu-Kaku - Akasaka Branch
Gyu-Kaku is one of Japan’s most famous yakiniku chains, with locations across the country! Opened in 2017, the Akasaka branch is the first to offer halal course meals, hooray! ?
So, what’s on the menu? They have 2 Muslim-friendly course meals - the normal gyu-kaku course (JPY4000) and the wagyu course (JPY6000), which includes beef, chicken, and seafood?). Both courses feature a variety of vegetables and meat dishes, and they neither contain nor are prepared with any sort of pork products/extracts or alcohol! So you will be spoilt for choices when you dine here ?
The cooking and eating utensils are used specifically for Muslim-friendly course meals and bear a mark of certification from Islamic Centre Japan. Even the dipping sauce containers and drinking vessels are also halal-certified. In keeping with halal principles, their dishes, glasses, and cookware for the halal meals are also hand-washed separately from those used for Gyu-Kaku’s non-halal meals. So if you are in the Akasaka area in Tokyo, don’t forget to check this place out!
#HHWT Tip: Muslim-friendly meals are available only at the Akasaka branch. Make a reservation (which can be made by phone) at least three days in advance.
Halal Status: Halal meat and seafood options are available, but non-halal meals are served in the restaurant. Do note that utensils and kitchenware are separated for halal meals. Alcohol is served in the establishment. Since this is not a halal-certified restaurant, we advise our readers to dine at their discretion.
The average price of main dishes: JPY4000-6000
Opening hours: Mon-Fri (4PM-11PM); Sat-Sun (3PM-11PM)
Address: Akasaka 3 Chome-12-11, Central Akasaka Building 2nd floor, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan
Contact No: +81 03-5545-5029
8. Yakiniku Panga
Stuff yourself to your heart’s content with juicy strips of glistening wagyu and yakiniku, and watch with bated breath as the meat sizzles away on the grill in front of you. Trust us, Yakiniku Panga is one Japanese eatery you’re not likely to forget ?
Previously only located at Okachimachi, they have just opened another outlet at Asakusa called Halal Wagyu Dining Panga 585.
Halal Status: Halal-Certified
The average price of main dishes: JPY4900-8500 for wagyu
Halal Wagyu Yakiniku Panga (Okachimachi)
Opening Hours: Tues-Thurs, Sat; 11.30AM-2PM, 5PM-10.30PM, Sun-Mon, Fri; 5PM-10PM
Address: 3 Chome-27-9 Taito, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0016, Japan
Contact: +81 3-3839-8929 or reserve via Hotpepper
P.S. They also have another outlet in Osaka!
Sushi
9. Sushiken
Located in Asakusa, Sushi Ken creates every dish with only the finest ingredients and the freshest seafood ? If you’re a die-hard sushi fan, this is a restaurant you must not miss!
Credit: Faizzuddeen Anu on Facebook
Like most eateries in Japan, dining here during lunch is much cheaper, with lunch sets ranging from JPY1,300 to JPY1,800! The sets come with a mix of tuna, eel, prawns, salmon eggs and more. With a wide range of set meals, there’ll be something for everyone in your travelling party.
Credit: @go_0513 on Instagram
If you are on a tight budget, we recommend getting their rice bowls instead! Their Unagi bowl (JPY1800) is highly recommended as the eel has a soft texture with a natural sweetness flavour. They also have a selection of seafood, tempura and salmon bowls too.
Halal Status: Halal-Certified
The average price of main dishes: JPY1300-1800 (rice bowls), JPY2400 (sushi sets)
Opening hours: Open daily; 12PM-10PM (closes on 31st December yearly)
Address: 2 Chome-11-4, Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
Contact: +81 03-5246-6547
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Udon/Soba/Tempura
10. Halal Tendon Itsuki
Located in the upscale shopping district of Ginza, Tendon Itsuki is probably Tokyo's first halal tendon (tempura bowl) bar. As the eatery is small, you can watch the Chef fry the tempura right in front of you, which is as good as it gets!
We highly recommend getting their Special Tendon which has snow crab tempura and it costs just JPY1500, which is pretty affordable in the Ginza area. Their other tendons are cheaper too, starting from JPY1000.
Credit: @dr.tcbm on Instagram
This was hands-down one of the best tempura we’ve ever tasted! The tempura batter was crispy and flavourful yet light on the palate. We couldn’t get enough of the tempura sauce too ?
Halal status: Halal-certified
The average price of main dishes: JPY1000-1500
Opening hours: 11AM-8.45PM daily
Address: 2F, Ginza-INZ Building, 3-1, Ginza-nishi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
Contact: +81 3-6263-2988
11. Tsunahachi (Ginza branch)
Can't get enough of tempura when you're in Ginza? Head over to Tsunahachi at the popular department store Matsuya.
Credit: @chefalicemai on Instagram
What's great about this eatery is that you'll have the full tempura experience - it'll be served with not just tempura sauce, but 4 different kinds of seasalt from original to wasabi, sakura and seaweed. You can order sets with various kinds of tempura and they come with rice and ochazuke (steamed rice in soup).
Credit: @aarontwo on Instagram
Rest assured the ingredients they use are fresh and the batter is crispy and light, so your mouth won't feel too oily from eating this!
#HHWT Tip: There's a prayer room in the same building too, located on the rooftop. Check out this article for more information.
Halal status: Muslim-friendly menu available, no meat or alcohol used in tempura preparation. Do note that customers can consume alcohol on the premises, so dine at your discretion.
The average price of main dishes: JPY2160-11100
Opening hours: Mon-Sat (11AM-10PM); Sun (11AM-9.30PM)
Address: 8F, Matsuya Ginza, 3-6-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8130
Contact: +81 3-3567-1374
12. Sojibo (Odaiba)
Sojibo is one of the only halal eateries on the island of Odaiba and here's where you can get soba in different types of broth.
Their duck and leek soba is mouthwatering as the duck slices are chewy and flavourful. Their curry soba with chicken chunks will be perfect if you're craving a thicker broth. In need of a refreshing meal? Then their cold soba dishes will be just what you need!
Other than soba, Sojibo also has other dishes like rice bowls and tempura. We particularly loved their tantalising Chicken Cutlet don ?
Halal status: Halal-certified food, and alcohol is served in the establishment so dine at your discretion.
Average price of main dishes: JPY700-1500
Opening hours: Open daily; 11AM-11PM
Address: 6F, Diver City, 1-chōme-1-10 Aomi, Koto City, Tōkyō-to 135-0064, Japan
Contact: +81 3-5520-1310
13. Yoshitomoan Soba
Yoshitomoan isn’t exactly the most convenient to get to, but if you have time to spare, then we would definitely recommend making the trip down to try their soba which is served with tempura!
Credit: @i.nori_jp on Instagram
Choose from their three Muslim-friendly dishes – Tamagotoji (egg) soba set, agemochi (fried mochi) soba set or kake soba (regular) set. They’re all served with tempura, cold tofu and warabimochi to finish off as your dessert!
Halal Status: Muslim-friendly menu available,alcohol served in the establishment. Since this is not a halal-certified restaurant, we advise our readers to dine at your own discretion.
Average price of main dishes: JPY 1000
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun; 12PM-2.30PM, 6PM-9PM (closed on Monday, 1st and 3rd Sundays)
Address: 10 Nandomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Contact: +81 3-3235-7177
14. Homemade Udon Noodles KINEYA MUGIMARU
If you're flying in to/out of Tokyo via Narita Airport, and have some time to kill or a stomach to fill, don't forget to try the halal udon in the airport! One of our writers tried the beef udon and she said it was the most delicious one ever! She loved that the noodles were very springy and the broth was just right – not too salty for her liking. Her cravings for udon were finally satiated when she had this!
#HHWT Tip: It is a Japanese tradition that you should slurp your noodles if they are yummy!
To place an order, decide on the toppings for the udon as well as the size. You will then be served with a bowl of udon with toppings sans broth. Then, pick your own onigiri and tempura (self-service). Make payment and then proceed to the dipping sauce station and dispense as much (or little) as you like.
#HHWT Tip: A multi-faith prayer space is also available on the same floor! Do bring your own sejadah and telekung.
Halal Status: Halal-Certified
Average price of main dishes: JPY400-1000
Opening Hours: Open daily; 10AM-4PM
Address: 5th Floor of Narita Airport Terminal 1
Contact: +81 476-32-7877
Japanese Curry
15. CoCo Ichibanya (Shinjuku) - CLOSED
Now you can enjoy halal Japanese curry at the halal-certified outlets of CoCo Ichibanya Curry House in Shinjuku! The Akihabara outlet opened in September 2017, while the Shinjuku outlet just opened in 2018! Both received certifications from Nippon Asia Halal Association (NAHA). Let’s just refresh our memory now on how amazing their Japanese curry is ?
One of our favourites is their Chicken Tender Cutlet Curry with Cheese. The curry is flavourful and a little sweet. Plus, the cheese paired perfectly with the curry and meat ?
Credit: @mohammadazry on Instagram
If you're not a fan of chicken cutlet, get their beef or seafood curry instead. It'll taste just as exceptional. Check out Coco Curry House’s menu for more curry delights you can now enjoy! We sure wouldn’t mind making a trip to Tokyo just to get a taste of this, wouldn’t you agree? ?
Halal Status: Halal-Certified
Average price of main dishes: JPY710-1170
Shinjuku Outlet:
Address: Kabukicho Shotengai Shinkou Kumiai Building B1, 1 Chome-19-3 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0021
Opening hours: Open daily; 11AM-10.30PM
Contact: +81 3-6457-3782
While travelling in Tokyo, keep a lookout for our #HHWT Recommends stickers at various halal eateries ? (like this one below!)
We hope you’ll find this useful in your Tokyo travels, and do let us know if you have any other halal Japanese food places that you think deserve to get a shout-out! Don’t forget to share our guide with your family and friends! ?