Where to Eat in Tokyo: Halal Spots to Try

Looking for halal restaurants in Tokyo? We zoom in on these spots near Shibuya

After a week in Hokkaido restricting ourselves to seafood, veggies and confectionery (halal options were non-existent where we stayed), the hubs and I were hungry for meat! Once we arrived in Tokyo, Shibuya made for the perfect base, being surrounded by so much great shopping, iconic landmarks (Shibuya crossing, duh!) and surprisingly, a variety of halal Japanese food.

Seeing as how a lot of Japanese dishes are known to contain mirin (a rice wine used in sauces and sushi rice), finding halal food was a bit of a challenge. And we weren’t settling for Indian food or kebabs! So with a list of restos and pocket wifi in hand (so important when you’re venturing Tokyo – they’re frequently offered in Airbnb stays, but if yours doesn’t, we had a great experience renting one from Changi Recommends), we set off on a hunt for halal Japanese eats.

Click for our favourite tried and tested spots that are just a walk from the heart of Shibuya, or just a few stations away!

Our first halal meal in Tokyo! Hanasakaji-san is a charming spot down a flight of stairs found on the corner of one of Shibuya’s back streets. Once seated we were introduced to the brief menu, with classic shabu-shabu and bento sets to choose from. The chef (who spoke perfect English) even patiently showed us how to cook and eat traditional Japanese shabu-shabu. While the meat was incredibly fresh and tender, the dipping sauce was also amazing.

Our meal here left such a good impression on us that we came back on our last day to have the bento sets. The sashimi was the best we had throughout our trip!

Tip: Give the 0% alcohol Sake a shot! (pun intended)

Hanasakaji-san, Sakura Build B1F 3-22 Sakuragaoka Shibuya Tokyo 150-0031 Japan (1 minute walk from South exit of Shibuya Station)
Tel: +81 3-3496-7777
www.facebook.com/halalwashokuhanasakajisan

Opening Hours:
Monday-Saturday
– Lunch: 11:30am – 3pm
– Dinner: 5pm – 12midnight
Sunday
– Lunch: 11:30am – 4pm
– Dinner: 5pm – 11pm

Getting here was no easy feat. It was getting dark fast and we wanted to get there before nightfall where we’d have to rely on street lamps! Eventually we reached the quaint restaurant and settled in for some respite from the cold. Here we had to order through the vending machine (which also had vegan options!). Each bowl of ramen came with a 1-10 spiciness level for us to choose from, so this is for you mamas who love some fire in your ramen!

I had a chicken chop ramen and was shocked when it came because there was a lot of food on my plate, including a sizeable bowl of ramen soup and noodles, chicken chop on the side, and a bowl of rice. Big eaters will rejoice.

If you’ve got a bigger foodie budget, try one of the wagyu dishes!

Shinjukugyoen Ramen Ouka, 1-11-7 Shinjuku, 1f, Shinjuku 160-0022, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel: +81 3-5925-8426
15 minute walk from Shinjuku station
www.facebook.com/pg/shinjyukugyoen.ouka

Opening Hours:
Sunday 12:30pm – 10pm
Monday 2pm – 10pm
Tuesday 2pm – 10pm
Wednesday 2pm – 10pm
Thursday 2pm – 10pm
Friday 6pm – 10pm
Saturday 12:30pm – 10pm

Another one of our faves! My husband had stumbled upon this restaurant on his last trip here and he loved it. We rocked up here for lunch (walk-ins welcome) during which they serve a good portion of Korean food – good old-fashioned ramen for him and beef ribs with rice for me.

We found out they offered grilled Kobe and Hida beef for dinner and immediately booked a reservation for our last evening in Tokyo. It was the best meal we ever had! Sure, it set us back about $300 in total (insert sheepish grin), but we didn’t regret it one bit. With tender Hida beef (a Japanese wagyu from cattle bred in the Gifu Prefecture), sweet Sri Lankan black pepper, and spectacular dipping sauces coupled with a delicious 3-course meal, we were so satisfied by the end of the night.

Sumiyakiya Yakiniku, Minato-Ku Nishiazabu 3-20-16, Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +81-3403-5397
7 minute walk from Roppongi station
www.sumiyakiya.com

Opening Hours:
Monday – Saturday
Lunch 11:30am – 3pm (last order 2:30pm)
Dinner 5pm – 11pm (last order 10:30pm)

This humble ramen spot is tucked away in an alley near Ebisu station, which is just a few stops from Shibuya. It gives you a chance to take a sneak peak into the cute hilltop houses of Tokyo.

Honolu is a very cosy eatery which offers traditional floor seating in the second level, complete with a corner for performing prayers. The ramen here was perfect – warm, hearty and spicy. Not everything on the menu was available at the time, but we were happy with the options they offered.

Halal Ramen & Dining Honolu, Ebisuminami Shibuya Tokyo, 東京都 渋谷区 恵比寿南 1-23-1 ABC亜米利加橋ビル 1F
Tel: 81 3-5734-1667
7 minute walk from Ebisu station
www.facebook.com/menya.honolu.ebisu

Opening hours:
Lunch 11:30am – 2:30
Dinner 5pm – 10pm (last order 9:30pm)