Times Of TIU

Writer: Jonathan S.

Editor: Ramji A.

Translator: Kotomi T.

As foreign students, looking for restaurants that may pertain to our specific cultural or religious dietary needs can be challenging. This is especially true in Japan, where many iconic dishes such as ramen and tonkatsu have pork. In addition to the food culture, the presence of a language can make it more difficult for some students to determine the contents of food provided in some restaurants. Some students have even stated that they found out that they had eaten a dish with pork after coming back to a restaurant due to their lack of Japanese skills. Dietary restrictions can be difficult to adhere to in an unfamiliar environment, however, as this article will soon show you – halal food in Japan extends beyond food from Muslim countries but could also inspire you to check out cuisine from different parts of the world – all in Ikebukuro.

Gyumon Halal Ramen

〒171-0014 Tokyo, Toshima City, Ikebukuro, 2 Chome−42−1 第３ミネオカビル 4F

Gyumon Halal Ramen is a chain restaurant with a branch in Ikebukuro. The restaurant is the highest-rated on this list with a Google review of 4.9 stars (over 2000 reviews). Additionally, the restaurant is highly recommended due to the variety of prices on its menu. Although, some items are really expensive, such as the ¥4000 wagyu ramen set – some items, such as the iconic spicy chicken ramen that put the restaurant on the map, are about the same price as regular ramen at about ¥1200. Overall, this place is highly recommended to students who want to try ramen but have not been able to due to dietary restrictions. 

Marhaba Halal Restaurant

〒171-0014 Tokyo, Toshima City, Ikebukuro, 2 Chome−42−1 第３ミネオカビル 4F

Marhaba Halal Restaurant is a great choice for those looking for Pakistani cuisine, with some sources saying it is as close as it gets to the real thing, in Japan. The restaurant is more than 30 years old and has a range of different appetizers, with some iconic Pakistani dishes like Samosa and Pakora. The restaurant is very affordable, with most appetizers being around ¥500 and the lunch set menu totaling only about ¥1000. Moreover, although I could not find it on the menu, according to the Google Maps page, the restaurant has an all-you-can-drink option, which is usually rare in ethnic restaurants.

Kebabra

〒170-0005 Tokyo, Toshima City, Minamiotsuka, 3 Chome−34−4 櫻ビル 1F

In the Otsuka area, about 10 minutes away from campus, is a restaurant called Kebabra, which serves various kebab-style dishes. Although one may think of it as a normal kebab booth similar to many found around Tokyo, one major difference this place from others puts it on this list. Besides the fact that this restaurant is halal, it also has seats and a nice space for customers to sit down when they eat, with a relaxing atmosphere that builds a study cafe-esque vibe.

Aliya Halal Restaurant

〒171-0021 Tokyo, Toshima City, Nishiikebukuro, 1 Chome−43−3 日精ビル 2F

Last but not least, on the list is Aliya, a halal Chinese restaurant that I recently tried and enjoyed. For many Muslims, finding Chinese food in Japan can be a challenge since there is often pork in most dishes. However, Aliya, a restaurant located in Nishi-Ikebukuro is a modern Chinese restaurant that offers delicious halal food. Besides the amazing food, I recommend this store to large groups of people, as it is a great place to hang out with many of your friends after university. However, keep in mind that due to its nature of sharing dishes with others, the restaurant could be slightly more pricy when you are going in small numbers.

That is all for the list of halal restaurants around Ikebukuro. We are looking forward to hearing about your experiences and how you have found these restaurants. Let us know if we missed your favorite halal restaurant!