On this page
- Certified halal, Muslim-friendly or pork-free?
- Hidden alcohol in Japanese food
- Halal wagyu in Tokyo
- Halal ramen in Tokyo
- Halal sushi in Tokyo
- Halal food in Tokyo by area
- Convenience stores
- Prayer rooms and halal food at the airports
- Tips for booking a halal restaurant
- Let us find and book your halal restaurants
Quick answer
Yes, you can eat halal wagyu, ramen and sushi in Tokyo. Most halal restaurants are in Asakusa and Ueno, Shinjuku and Ebisu. Be careful with ordinary Japanese restaurants: many dishes use mirin or cooking sake, so “no pork” does not always mean halal.
Here is where to eat halal in Tokyo, and how to tell which restaurants you can trust.
We keep two Google Maps lists with about 150 halal restaurants and mosques across Japan. Get the free lists and save them to your phone before you travel.
Certified halal, Muslim-friendly or pork-free?
In Japan, you will see three kinds of signs. They do not mean the same thing.
| Sign | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Halal certified | A halal certification body has checked the ingredients and the kitchen | The name of the certification body and the expiry date on the certificate |
| Muslim-friendly | No pork, and usually no alcohol in the cooking, but no certification | Whether the meat itself is halal, and whether alcohol is served |
| Pork-free | No pork on the menu | Alcohol in the seasoning, and whether the meat is halal |
Hidden alcohol in Japanese food
Even without pork, much Japanese food is not halal, because alcohol is used in the seasoning.
- Mirin: a sweet rice seasoning that contains alcohol. It is used in teriyaki, sukiyaki sauce and many simmered dishes
- Cooking sake: used in many sauces and broths
- Soy sauce: many brands contain a small amount of alcohol
- Ramen soup: most ramen soup in Japan is made with pork bones
This is why we recommend restaurants that are halal from the meat to the seasoning.
Halal wagyu in Tokyo
Wagyu is the dish many families from the Gulf most want to try in Japan.
A5 Wagyu Yakiniku PANGA, Ueno
- What: grill-it-yourself A5 wagyu (yakiniku), from a menu the restaurant describes as halal certified
- Where: a short walk from Ueno Station, close to Ueno Park
- Good to know: open for lunch and dinner. The staff explain the cuts and how to grill them, so it is easy even on your first time
You can also try halal wagyu as wagyu ramen at SHINJUKU-TEI, or as part of a sushi and wagyu course at Tokyo Omakase Sushi Wagyu in Shinjuku. Both are below.
Halal ramen in Tokyo
Most ramen in Japan is made with pork bone soup, so halal ramen shops use chicken or beef broth instead.
HALAL WAGYU RAMEN SHINJUKU-TEI, Shinjuku
- What: ramen with A5 wagyu, including wagyu miso ramen. The shop says it is halal certified
- Where: about 5 minutes on foot from Shinjuku-sanchome Station
- Good to know: a prayer room is available. It is often full in the evening, so expect to wait. It is in a basement, so it is not easy with a stroller
Halal Ramen Honolu, Ebisu
- What: creamy chicken ramen (chicken paitan), spicy chicken ramen, karaage and gyoza. Honolu has been halal certified since 2020
- Where: Ebisu, one stop from Shibuya
- Good to know: a prayer space is available. You order at a ticket machine. The shop is small, so it suits small groups. It closes in the afternoon between lunch and dinner
Ayam-ya Halal Ramen, Motoasakusa
- What: chicken ramen and fried chicken (karaage). The shop says everything on the menu is halal
- Where: near Shin-Okachimachi Station, between Ueno and Asakusa
- Good to know: a small, friendly shop at reasonable prices, open every day for lunch and dinner
Sankyu Halal Ramen, Ueno
- What: beef and chicken ramen, rice bowls and gyoza. The shop serves 100% halal food, with no pork and no alcohol
- Where: a short walk from Ueno Park
- Good to know: a good stop after a morning at Ueno Park or the museums. Check the opening days before you go
Halal sushi in Tokyo
Sushi itself is fish and rice, but the soy sauce, the vinegar in the rice and the knives and boards used for other dishes can make it not halal. Choose a restaurant that prepares sushi for Muslim guests.
Tokyo Omakase Sushi Wagyu (Halal), Shinjuku
- What: an omakase (chef’s choice) course of sushi and wagyu
- Where: Shinjuku-sanchome
- Good to know: the staff speak English. A good choice for a honeymoon, an anniversary or a special lunch
Halal food in Tokyo by area
| Area | Restaurants | Good to combine with |
|---|---|---|
| Ueno and Asakusa | PANGA, Ayam-ya, Sankyu | Senso-ji Temple, Ueno Park, Ameyoko market |
| Shinjuku | SHINJUKU-TEI, Tokyo Omakase Sushi Wagyu | Shinjuku Gyoen garden, shopping |
| Ebisu and Shibuya | Honolu | Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky |
See our Tokyo guide for what to see in each area.
Convenience stores
Most food at Japanese convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) is not halal certified. Snacks, fruit, bread and drinks are easier choices, but always check the ingredients.
Prayer rooms and halal food at the airports
Haneda Airport (international flights mostly use Terminal 3)
- Prayer rooms, Terminal 3: in the international departures hall near check-in counter L, before passport control. There are two rooms, each with a place for wudu. Prayer mats are not provided, so bring your own
- Prayer rooms, Terminal 2 (international): after passport control, near Gate 73
- Halal food: Honolu Premier Air Haneda, on the 4th floor of Terminal 3 in the international departures area, serves halal ramen, wagyu steak and curry. It is run by the same group as Honolu in Ebisu and is open from 7:00 to 23:00 (until 1:00 on Fridays and Saturdays), so it works before early and late flights
Narita Airport
According to Narita Airport, there are prayer rooms in every terminal:
- Terminal 1: 3rd floor, one before and one after passport control
- Terminal 2: 1st floor near the arrivals lobby, and 3rd floor after passport control
- Terminal 3: 2nd floor, in the departures area
For mosques and prayer rooms in the city, see our guide to mosques and prayer rooms in Tokyo.
Tips for booking a halal restaurant
- Book ahead: popular halal wagyu restaurants are often full, especially in the evening and in the cherry blossom season
- Ask for a private room: some restaurants have private rooms, which is easier with children
- Check the opening days: many small shops close one day a week, or between lunch and dinner
- Check the certificate: halal status can change. If it matters to you, ask to see the certificate
Let us find and book your halal restaurants
We choose halal restaurants for your plan, book them in Japanese and check the food with the restaurant. We can also arrange a private-room wagyu dinner for a birthday, an anniversary or Eid. Start on WhatsApp.
Going to Osaka too? See our guide to halal food in Osaka. For more on travelling as a Muslim in Japan, see is Japan Muslim-friendly? and Japan for Eid.
Is sushi in Tokyo halal?
Not always. The fish is fine, but the soy sauce and the vinegar in the rice can contain alcohol, and the same knives and boards may be used for other dishes. Choose a restaurant that prepares sushi for Muslim guests.
Can Muslims eat ramen in Japan?
Most ramen soup in Japan is made with pork bones, so ordinary ramen shops are not halal. Halal ramen shops in Ueno, Asakusa, Shinjuku and Ebisu use chicken or beef broth instead.
Can I eat halal wagyu in Tokyo?
Yes. You can grill halal A5 wagyu at yakiniku restaurants in Ueno, eat wagyu ramen in Shinjuku, or try a sushi and wagyu course in Shinjuku.
Is food at Japanese convenience stores halal?
Most of it is not halal certified. Snacks, fruit, bread and drinks are easier choices, but check the ingredients.
Are there prayer rooms at Tokyo's airports?
Yes. Haneda has prayer rooms in Terminal 3 near check-in counter L and in Terminal 2 after passport control. Narita has prayer rooms in all three terminals.
Do Tokyo ryokan and hotels serve halal meals?
Some do, if you ask in advance. We can contact your ryokan or hotel in Japanese and ask for meals without pork and without alcohol in the cooking.
