Now the second-largest city in Japan and arguably one of the best cities for food, Osaka is home not only to the local favourites of takoyaki and okonomiyaki, but also cuisines from around the world! And yup, with halal options to boot!
? So while you take in the sights of Dotonbori, Osaka Castle and Umeda Sky Building around the city, there's authentic Japanese cuisine and others from countries like Pakistan, Egypt and Malaysia that are definitely worth trying. Without further ado, here's your ultimate halal food guide to Osaka! If you're looking for a list of only Japanese halal eateries in Osaka, check out this article.
P.S. Heading to Osaka? Check out how to spend less with our 5D4N Muslim-friendly Osaka-Nara guide under RM2500!
Halal food in Osaka City:
1. Halal Kobe Beef Nagomi (Closed until further notice)
Note: This restaurant is closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 situation.
Always wanted to indulge in Kobe beef? Here's where you can get your fill of this premium meat. A delicacy in Japan, Kobe beef is one of the several breeds of Wagyu (or Japanese cattle) raised in Hyogo prefecture and is known for its flavour, its tenderness and is also well-marbled with fat. Despite popular rumours, the cattle aren't usually fed with beer or massaged with sake!
This eatery serves different cuts of meat from sirloin to rib loin and tenderloin. While the starting price is expensive at JPY24000, this will be a meal worth remembering!
The Kobe beef will melt instantly in your mouth and you'll be treated to a multi-course meal. What's more, only about 3 cows have been certified as halal Kobe beef so it's really exclusive! Not to mention that the restaurant has a traditional Japanese set-up, making it an authentic experience for customers.
#HHWT Tip: As the restaurant is popular, do make a reservation in advance. You can also do your prayers at Nagomi - the prayer room is complete with prayer mats, garments, qibla direction and it even has a wudhu area!
Halal status: Halal-certified by Kyoto Council for Sharia and Halal Affairs, prayer facilities in the establishment.
Average price: JPY38,000
Opening hours: 12PM - 2PM, 5PM - 10PM (Last order 9PM, Sun-Thurs), closed on Fri-Sat
Address: 2-12-21, Nippombashi, Chuo-ku Osaka-shi, Osaka, 542-0073 (〒542-0073 大阪府大阪市中央区日本橋２丁目１２−21)
Contact: +81 6-6606-9278, or email info@halalnagomi.com
Nearest subway station: Nippombashi (exit 10)
Website | Facebook | Instagram
2. Matsuri
Of course, when you're in Osaka, you must not miss out on trying their world-famous takoyaki (Japanese octopus balls) and you'll be happy to know Matsuri sells halal ones!
Credit: Matsuri
Matsuri, meaning 'festival' in Japanese, serves popular Japanese dishes such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki and ramen at pocket-friendly prices! Not to mention that you can try your hand at making takoyaki here too.
Credit: Matsuri
What sets this restaurant apart is that it doesn’t use any pre-chilled or pre-cooked items, so say hello to fresh and delicious food. They also have a mini-retail corner where you can shop for Muslim-friendly food items such as condiments and instant ramen!
Samurai Ramen Umami is instant ramen sold at the restaurant. Although not halal-certified, it does not contain any animal products or alcohol!
#HHWT Tip: A prayer space is available at the restaurant for Muslim visitors.
Halal status: Halal ingredients used, alcohol is served in the establishment so do dine at your own discretion. Prayer facilities in the establishment.
Average price: JPY900
Opening hours: Mon-Sat; 11AM-2PM, 5PM-11PM, Sun; 11AM-2PM, 5PM-9PM
Address: 3-27-17 Yoshino, Fukushima-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 553-0006 (〒553-0006 大阪府大阪市福島区吉野３丁目２７−17)
Contact: +81 6-6940-6633
Nearest subway station: Nodahanshin (exit 7)
Website | Facebook | Instagram
3. Ramen Honolu
Do you love your ramen extra spicy? You certainly won't be disappointed with what Ramen Honolu has to offer! Located in Namba, we hear it was the first halal ramen restaurant ever to open in Osaka.
P.S. Did you know that Ramen Honolu is in other Japanese cities too? Find out how to work it into your trip with our 10D9N Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo itinerary full of delicious halal food and iconic sights!
Credit: Ramen Honolu
The restaurant serves delicious ramen noodles swimming in either salted or soy-based chicken broth. The thick, cloudy broth is made by boiling halal chicken for all of eight hours, so believe us when we say that the soup is simply...umami perfection! The best part is that you can also choose your spice rating, ranging from mild to spicy to extra spicy, so for chilli-lovers out there, rejoice!
Credit: Ramen Honolu
If the ramen and rice alone don't fill you up, you can order dishes from the side menu such as the famous halal-certified Nikkoken chicken gyoza, and halal roast chicken with rice.
#HHWT Tip: A prayer space is available at the restaurant for Muslim visitors.
Halal status: Only halal ingredients used, prayer facilities in the establishment. Do note that other Ramen Honolu outlets may serve pork or non-halal ingredients, but the Namba outlet is fully halal with no pork or alcohol served.
Average price: JPY1000
Opening hours: Open daily; 11.30AM - 2.30PM, 5PM - 10PM
Address: 1F, 2-5-27 Motomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 556-0016 (〒556-0016 大阪府大阪市浪速区元町２丁目５−27)
Contact: +81 6-6710-9604
Nearest subway station: Osaka-Namba (exit 32), JR Namba (South exit),
Website | Facebook | Instagram
4. Tsuki no Odori
Rejoice if you're a chicken lover! Tsuki no Odori, which is known for their chicken dishes has a halal menu. They've taken great care to ensure that the halal dishes served meets their standards and diners' expectations.
Credit: Tsuki no Odori on Facebook
Their miso hot pot and chicken salt hot pot are made for sharing with a minimum of 2 people, so this is the perfect place to slurp down some hot soup with your travel buddies!
Be sure to try the succulent yakitori! And don't forget to have the salted caramel ice cream for dessert ?
Note: It's best to make a reservation before visiting especially if you're going in a group of 4 or more, as although they do have halal meals on hand, the number of servings are limited.
Halal status: Halal ingredients used, alcohol is served in the establishment so do dine at your own discretion.
Average price: JPY3000
Opening hours: 5.30PM - 11PM (Last order 10PM, Tues-Sun), closed on Mondays
Address: 2 Chome-26-13 Kujominami, Nishi Ward, Osaka, 550-0025, Japan (〒550-0025 大阪府大阪市西区九条南２丁目２６−13)
Contact: +81 6-4393-0088 or email tsukino.odori@gmail.com
Nearest subway station: Kujo (exit 1/2)
5. Naritaya Osaka
A halal ramen chain famous since its opening in Asakusa, Tokyo, Naritaya offers quality and comfort ramen - a refuge after a long day exploring the nearby shopping streets of Shinsaibashi. Don't miss out on its distinct and tasty flavours! Besides ramen, their menu also includes fusion cuisines that will leave you wanting more as well! Try their Curry soupless noodles or stewed beef noodles (gorogoro) for a change.
For those of you who want to indulge, Naritaya has a selection of Wagyu too! Take your pick from their Wagyu Yakiniku rice bowls, Wagyu curry, Wagyu katsu or go all out with their Wagyu steak.
#HHWT Tip: If you want a quick meal on the go, Naritaya has bento sets which they will deliver to you! Do send them a DM on Instagram for more information!
Halal status: Halal-certified by Japan Islamic Trust, prayer facilities in establishment
Average price: JPY1400
Opening hours: Mon-Fri; 12PM-3PM, Sat-Sun; 12PM-3PM, 5PM-8PM
Address: 1-7-23, Higashishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku Osaka-shi, Osaka 542-0083 (〒542-0083 大阪府大阪市中央区東心斎橋１丁目７−23)
Contact: +81 6-6281-0133
Nearest subway station: Nagahoribashi (exit 7)
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Japanese Cuisine (Kansai Airport):
6. Shinshu Sojibo
Embark on your halal food hunt right away as soon as you step off the plane at Kansai International Airport (KIX). It's home to not one, not two, but THREE halal-certified restaurants serving authentic Japanese food. We’ll start off with the first halal-certified restaurant here – Sojibo!
Sojibo dishes up a variety of quality hand-made thin buckwheat noodles (soba) that can be ordered either cold on a bamboo tray with a dipping sauce, or in a hot broth.
You can take your pick of accompaniments to go along with your soba, such as hot grated karami daikon, grated yam, wild vegetables, egg, shrimp tempura or duck and leek, amongst others. For the big-eaters, we recommend the set that comes with an additional bowl of rice topped with either shrimp tempura or chicken cutlet!
Halal status: Halal-certified
Average price: JPY1100
Opening hours: Open daily; 7AM - 10PM (Last order 9.30PM)
Address: Terminal 1, Kansai International Airport Terminal Building 3F, 1-Naka, Senshu-kuko, Tajiri-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka (public area, before customs)
Contact: +81 72-456-6519
7. The U-Don
Up next on our halal oodles-of-noodles feast at KIX is The U-Don! The U-Don features Sanuki udon, a form of thick wheat flour noodle from the Shikoku region easily identified by its square shape and flat edges.
It’s a self-service concept here at The U-Don. First, pick up a tray and choose the type of udon dish you’d like. The udon dishes range from hot options such as warm udon in shoyu broth to the more summer-apt dish, zaru (chilled) udon. Next, move on to the food-warmer section where you can have your choice of add-ons such as fishballs, boiled turnip and an assortment of tempura.
Feeling ravenous? Load up your tray with more food from the next selection consisting of other nibbles such as inari (rice-stuffed fried tofu) and nigiri (rice balls). Lastly, bring your food-laden tray to the cashier who will total up your bill. Easy-peasy! Oh, by the way, you also get to enjoy free-flow of hot or cold matcha green tea!
Halal status: Halal-certified by Malaysian Halal Consultation & Training
Average price: JPY600
Opening hours: Open daily; 7AM - 10PM (Last order 9.30PM)
Address: Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 2F, 1 Senshukukoukita, Izumisano-shi, Osaka-fu 549-0001 (public area, before customs)
Contact: +81 07-2456-6515
International Cuisine:
8. Osaka Halal Restaurant (Indian & Pakistani)
Visiting Osaka would not be complete without a trip to the Osaka Masjid! And within the vicinity of the central mosque lies a yellow and green restaurant you’ll be able to easily spot from afar.
Enter this dining establishment and you’ll find delicious Pakistani cuisine like pulao, briyani, gosht and a range of yummy desserts for a complete, hearty meal.
We think the gola ganda, or shaved ice, looks especially good to cool off on a hot summer’s day! Do check out their special menu that changes daily, and if you dine during lunchtime on Fridays, you’ll be delighted to find a buffet of curries, naan, rice, pakora, and dessert. Osaka Halal Restaurant holds a Malaysian Halal Standard certification, so you’ll be able dine with peace of mind and eat to your heart’s content!
Halal status: Halal-certified
Average price: JPY1200
Opening hours: Open daily; 11AM - 3PM, 5PM - 10PM
Address: 4-13-2, Owada, Nishiyodogawa-ku Osaka-shi, Osaka, 555-0032, Japan (〒555-0032 大阪府大阪市西淀川区大和田４丁目１３−2)
Contact: +81 6-6475-9786
Nearest subway station: Chibune (exit 5)
Website | Facebook | Instagram
9. Cafe Bintang (Javanese)
Let us head to South-East Asia next where tasty Indonesian and Malaysian cuisines await your tastebuds! Located within the shopping district of Shinsaibashi-Osaka and just a stone’s throw away from the train station, this Muslim-owned restaurant is convenient and a popular choice for lovers of traditional Indonesian cuisine. As the only place in the Minami region serving authentic Javanese food, you’ll be treated with a variety of satay dishes, and other popular Indonesian cuisines like gado-gado, soto ayam and bakso. Yum!
You can’t go wrong with any of the tasty selections that Cafe Bintang offers, but if you’re in a pickle, settle for the classic Nasi Goreng which has gotten rave reviews from customers! With a prayer space within the restaurant, you’ll have everything you need to dine with ease. Prefer take-out instead? Bento services are available too!
Halal status: Halal ingredients used
Average price: JPY680-1000
Opening hours: Sat-Thurs; 12PM-10.30PM, Fri; 2PM-10.30PM
Address: 1-19-19 Higashi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 542-0083
Contact: +81 6-6241-8955
Nearest subway station: Shinsaibashi
Are you drooling yet? We hope you are just as impressed at the wide selection of food as we are! With these halal local and international cuisines in one charming city, finding a halal option is now made easy in Osaka. So if you’re making your way to Osaka, try out the food at one of these restaurants (or all of them!) and let us know how they fare! We’d love to hear from you!