In case you haven’t heard, Japan has updated its border rule! As a warm up before your next visit, I have rounded up a curated list of our favorite best muslim friendly restaurants in Tokyo. Moreover, most of them are halal certified. Some of them maybe you have heard. But since there are so many halal restaurants in Tokyo, we thought maybe it’s gonna be interesting if we narrow it down to our personal best.
This list has been adjusted to Mr Pukka’s preference as he just started his halal journey a few years back. Adjusting to eating halal in Japan might not be easy, but there are many establishments that actually serve halal with and without the certification from the halal body. In this article, we want to highlight places that are beloved not only by the international communities, but also by the locals. Spoiler: there are many meat involved.
Let’s take a good read and don’t forget to add them on your list!
Halal Chicken Pho at Island Curry Stand
Address: 3 Chome-13-13 Yotsuya, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0004 (Google Maps)
Our first choice (not in rank order) falls to Island Curry Stand in Shinjuku area. Island Curry Stand is an Asian cuisine restaurant within the walking distance from Yotsuya Sanchome Station. Mainly serving Indian and Thai dishes, this restaurant also serves Vietnamese inspired Chicken Pho that comes with various ingredients and condiments. The Chicken Pho has easily became another Mr Pukka’s new favorite 🙂
Besides Pho, there are many other dishes on the menu. From the compulsory Tom Yum Noodles, Gapao Rice, and Green Curry, to a vast selection of delicious Indian curries. Everything on the menu are mostly below JPY 1000.
When we last visited, the chef told us that he uses halal meat in the restaurant and verified the halal status of the dish we ordered. We advise you to confirm again next time you drop by.
Halal Certified Yakiniku at Panga
Address: 3 Chome-27-9 Taito, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0016 (Google Maps)
Next in the list is our favorite halal yakiniku restaurant: Panga. Having been living in Japan for quite some time, we are so glad to have Panga in town. Since the pandemic basically stop international tourists from coming in, many halal certified restaurants around Japan had to shut down. Thankfully, Panga is among the few that survives the hit because of its high reputation even among the locals.
In Panga, you can find a variety of high quality halal beef cuts ranging from the sirloin steak to innards. If you are a fan of wagyu, they also serve A5 quality satsuma wagyu set starting from JPY 4000. Our personal go-to we never miss to order are the thick cut beef tongue (上タン塩) and the premium short rib (上カルビ) with assorted kimchi as a side. They do have delicious rice, soup, and noodle dishes that go perfectly well with yakiniku. You can check out their menu here.
Read More about Panga: Best Halal Yakiniku Near the Heart of Ueno
Halal Certified Lanzhou Beef Noodles at Mǎzilù
Address: 1 Chome-3-18 Kanda Jinbocho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0051 (Google Maps)
Next up on our list is Halal certified Lanzhou Beef Noodles at Mǎzilù in Jimbocho area. When I first invited Mr Pukka to Mǎzilù, he was a bit skeptical to try it out. As a Japanese, finding a good (halal) noodle that is on par with a tonkotsu ramen is not easy after all. But guess who became a regular? 🙂
In Mǎzilù, the menu is straight and simple. There is only one main dish, that is the Lanzhou Beef Noodles, and three sides: boiled dumplings (水餃子), Chinese style pickles, and tea egg (茶卵). Before walking into the restaurant, you can place your order immediately at the entrance. There, the staff will ask you to choose the shape of noodles you want. You may also add your favorite toppings to enhance the broth flavor.
Although everything is already delicious as it is, my personal favorite would be the triangular noodles (no. 8) with the dumplings as a side. Their dumplings are a must! Because they are very scrumptious and bursting with flavors and broth.
Halal Certified Black Wagyu at Kiwamiya
Address: 1BF Shibuya Parco , 15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0042 (Google Maps)
Back to the world of Japanese wagyu. This time, I am inviting you to Kiwamiya, a Japanese restaurant specializing in Hakata delicacies. Located in the basement floor of Parco Shibuya, Kiwamiya is always packed with customers. Before it opens for business at 11 (11:30 in weekdays), there are already a long queue waiting to savor the unique taste of black wagyu steak.
Once you get in the line, the staff will take your order and find you a table. In Kiwamiya, they have a halal set of Black Wagyu Hamburg Steak in 150 or 300 grams. The set will come with rice, soup, and salad that are free for refill. Here is the link to their menu.
After a quick searing by the chef, you can start cooking your hamburg steak yourself on the hot grill in front of you. Instead of grilling the whole hamburg at once, we recommend to split the meat to bite sizes to keep it juicy and not overcook.
Chicken and Lamb Kebab at Pasha Kebab
Address: 1F 都南マンション ビル, 1 Chome−22−1 Morino, Machida, Tokyo 194-0022 (Google Maps)
Welcome to our new favorite Kebab joint in the neighborhood! Located within the walking distance of Machida Station, Pasha Kebab has just climbed to the top ladder of our Kebab land. With so many Kebab stands in Tokyo, it becomes another challenge for us to find one that stands out. In Pasha Kebab, however, every box just checks. Taste, juiciness (dry Kebab is a no for us), portion, price… Other than the usual chicken, the lamb kebab is definitely worth to try. Do remind us to take a proper pic next time!
Special Hamburg Steak at Grill Hunter
Address: 2F フリーゼ五反田 1 Chome-21-12 Higashigotanda, Shinagawa City, Tokyo 141-0022 (Google Maps)
If you happen to be in Shinagawa area, you might want to drop by Grill Hunter for a filling meal. In Grill Hunter, all menu are halal and served in large portion at a very reasonable price. The recommended menu is their hamburg steak with grilled beef pasta and topped with a fried egg. Similar to the chain restaurant Pepper Lunch, their beef dish also comes out steaming hot on an iron plate. However, do time your visit (or reserve in advance) if you come in group (more than 2-4) during peak hour, because the seat is quite limited.
Halal Certified Lamb Burger at Luxe Burgers
Address: 1F 日本橋小舟町ビル 6-13 Nihonbashikobunacho, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0024 (Google Maps)
Another meat coming! Here comes the last restaurant on our favorite halal list in Tokyo: Luxe Burgers. Located in Chuo, Luxe Burgers is accessible via walking distance from Ningyocho Station. Always crowded with Burger lovers, this restaurant offers various burger style lamb, beef, chicken, and even vegetable based. Besides their signature burger, you can also try their steak and sandwiches.
Cooked in a teppan style, our personal favorite from Luxe Burgers are their 100% lamb burgers with crispy onion rings as a side. They also have good desserts to end your meal 🙂
See more: The Best Halal Burger in Town: Tokyo Luxe Burgers
And, That’s It!
I hope this article can help your next visit to Tokyo. Or, if you are a resident like us, maybe you want to add more to our list? Tell us what you think and thank you for staying with me until the end!
