If you are looking for Halal food in Japan, the Naritaya Halal Ramen Restaurant in Tokyo is one of the highly recommended places to savour traditional Japanese Ramen.
During a quick trip to Tokyo in Feb 2017, I was introduced to this small and interesting Muslim friendly restaurant in the Asakusa district.
To my surprise, the Halal Japanese Ramen was actually quite close in comparison to the traditional Ramen noodles.
Naritaya Halal Ramen Restaurant in Asakusa, Tokyo
Now, Muslim travellers can experience traditional Japanese food at Naritaya Halal Ramen Restaurant, which is located near the famous Asakusa Senso-Ji Temple.
This makes finding the restaurant easier, and if you come in from the main entrance of the temple, head in and exit through the west gate.
For your added information, Asakusa is also the birthplace of traditional Ramen in Tokyo, so you are at the best place to try this.
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| The Halal menu at Naritaya Halal Ramen Restaurant in Asakusa, Tokyo |
The Ramen restaurant is so small, that if you don't look carefully, you will miss it. It is a two-floor shop where the cooking is done downstairs in an open kitchen and there is an eating counter by the kitchen for those who want a quick fix.
Here, Muslim couples, groups of friends will sit and watch the cooks dish out amazing Halal Japanese dishes.
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| Naritaya serves 100% Halal Japanese Food for Muslim Travelers |
For larger groups or those who prefer to sit at tables, head upstairs on the narrow staircase where it opens up to a small dining area with four long tables.
Each of the tables can seat about six to eight persons. There is also a small prayer room available for those who need to pray. If you wish to do so, inform the staff before your prayers.
The food, I will get straight to the point - It is actually amazing! I managed to speak to the owner who is also the chef, and he told me that the entire menu selection offered is provided without any use of pork or alcohol and is certified 100% Halal.
Aromatic broiled Halal chicken is used as a substitute for roasted pork fillet and tasting the Halal Ramen, it was almost hard to tell the difference. Trust me, I have also tasted the general Ramen from many other places around Tokyo.
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| Naritaya Restaurant in Asakusa, 100% Certified Halal |
To order, you simply slide the door open, go in and order from the staff, who are Muslims, but from Asian countries. So they speak Japanese and English but no Malay.
Previously in 2016, there used to be an ordering vending machine outside Naritaya Halal Ramen, where you place your order through the machine, pay for it and it gives you a coupon. It no longer is available when I was there in mid-February 2017.
The Naritaya Chef's Story
This Halal Japanese restaurant has been in operation since 2015 and previously, the owner had been running another Japanese restaurant for the last 10 years.
Asking him why he decided to venture into Halal Japanese food, he told me that in the last Tsunami and earthquake of Japan, business had been really bad for his old restaurant.
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| The chef (in red) and assistant, preparing Halal Japanese food |
Then in 2015, he decided to tap into the Muslim market by opening up a Halal restaurant serving traditional Japanese food.
This was also due to the sudden trend in Muslim travellers visiting Tokyo since 2015 and business has been really good till today as this is one of the most popular Halal Japanese Restaurants in Asakusa.
In total, there are about 7 other Halal restaurants in the Asakusa area, according to the Chef. Naritaya is also part of a group of Halal restaurants in Tokyo and Kyoto too.
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| Naritaya's Special Ramen |
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| Halal Beef Ramen at Naritaya Restaurant |
Recommended Halal Food at Naritaya Restaurant
Well, the Special Ramen (1200 Yen) is the most popular dish here but they have quite several house specialities to try.
One of them is the deep-fried chicken or Karage (300 Yen), which is quite good. My friends ordered the Beef Bowl (1000 Yen), which was equally tasty.
Another ordered the highly recommended Pokok Pisang Abura Soba (1000 Yen), which also tasted very nice. In general, the soba and ramen noodles they use are quality ones, which compliment the broth and other ingredients.
However, due to time constrain, we had to eat and move to our next destination therefore, I could not order more dishes.
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| Halal deep-fried chicken (karage) at Naritaya Restaurant |
Looking around as I was leaving, I saw a group of Muslim travellers at the next table where they ordered many different types of Japanese dishes.
A couple of them stood out, which was the traditional Gyoza (300 Yen), Gorogoro Beef Ramen (1200 Yen) and Mazesoba (700 Yen).
On the menu of Naritaya Halal Restaurant in Asakusa, you will be in for a treat as they have quite several Halal Japanese dishes to offer.
While 99% of them are Japanese, you will surely be in for a shock as they are also serving a Naritaka Hainanese Chicken Rice, which is of course Halal.
But, seriously... Hainanese Chicken Rice? Oh well, sometimes, Malaysians or Singaporeans will miss home food when they travel, therefore, you can still indulge in this. I was kind of expecting a Nasi Lemak dish, but Chicken Rice it is.
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| Halal food in Tokyo? Try the Pokok Pisang at Naritaya |
Reality Check
I will be straightforward and honest here. Please don't get carried away and order everything on the menu. The portions are very decent as the Halal food here comes in small, medium and large sizes.
Why I say this is because of the prices. As a Malaysian, you should know that 1000 Yen is now RM35.00 and when you overdo your order, your bill can easily reach in the hundreds of Ringgit.
So, if you are on a budget, please choose wisely and if you are our to splurge, then, by all means, enjoy yourself.
Naritaya Halal Ramen Restaurant Address
Address: Japan, 〒111-0032 Tokyo, Taito, Asakusa, 2 Chome -2-7-1 3
Hours: 10.00 AM to 10.00 PM
Phone: +81 3 4285 9806
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| View of the main street in front of the Halal restaurant in Asakusa |
How to go to Naritaya Halal Restaurant in Asakusa, Tokyo?
There are two train stations in Asakusa, and I would recommend using the Tokyo Metro Asakusa Line to get here as it is interconnected with many other subway lines around Tokyo.
Alternatively, if you are along the Tsukuba Line, then it is a shorter walk to the restaurant. Below are the two trains that stop at Asakusa.
- Asakusa Line to Asakusa Station - The Asakusa Line is Orange Color and when you reach the Asakusa Station, it is a 10-minute walk to Naritaya Halal Restaurant.
- Tsukuba Express Line to the Asakusa Station - This is another way and from the station, it is a 5-minute walk to the Naritaya Halal Restaurant.
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| Directions from Asakusa Temple entrance to Naritaya Ramen Restaurant |
The nearest landmark is the famous Asakusa Senso-Ji Temple, which is just one minute walk away on the West Gate. Another landmark is the Hanayoshiki Theme Park which is Japan's oldest theme park.
The restaurant is also the second last stall heading towards the temple. Opposite, there is a well-known ice cream and dessert corner shop. So all you need to do is look out for the small sign and the A-board outside.
Just for your added information, Japan Airlines offers Halal-certified in-flight meals and you can request for this on your trip to Japan. I found this out as my meal was a Halal in-flight meal on route to Tokyo from Kuala Lumpur.
Conclusion
For Muslim travellers heading to Tokyo, I highly recommend getting the Tokyo Metro day pass as it is way much cheaper than buying individual subway tickets for each stop.
You can buy them from the Tourist Counter of Tokyo Metro at selected stations. Most of the sightseeing involves moving around from area to area, and using the Tokyo Metro is the best way of doing so.
To visit Naritaya Halal Ramen Restaurant in Tokyo, you need to take the Asakusa Line and from the station, a ten-minute easy walk.