In recent years, Tokyo has seen a rapid increase in restaurants that cater to vegetarians, vegans, and halal diners. A diverse food culture is taking root to meet the needs of both local residents and international visitors.
Ramen, one of the most popular Japanese dishes among tourists, is no exception. Today, Tokyo is home to many halal-friendly ramen places. Here are five of the best-rated and most popular.
Catering to the needs of a growing Muslim population
Picture: ささざわ / PIXTA(ピクスタ)
Halal is a set of Islamic laws governing a range of behaviors in several fields, including business, finance, and personal ethics. It’s most often used to refer to Islam’s dietary laws, which specify that Muslims must avoid pork and alcohol, among other restrictions.
As part of a general rise in foreign residents, Japan has seen a steady rise in Islamic residents over the past several years (around 54,000 of these are Japanese converts). There were an estimated 350,000 living here in 2023, a threefold increase from 2010. Japan also has a small but growing number of Muslim cemeteries to cater to the needs of deceased residents and citizens who wish to be interred here.
Between this and Japan’s huge tourist influx, it’s no surprise that there are more restaurants – and even some public schools – catering to Muslims and serving halal food. In particular, halal ramen restaurants give Muslims a chance to eat one of Japan’s staple dishes that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to enjoy, as most ramen contains both pork and alcohol (alcohol is used to preserve the shelf life of the noodles).
Five Tokyo halal ramen shops
Picture: Mazulu Halal Beef Noodles website
Mazulu Halal Beef Noodles: Handcrafted Lanzhou-style ramen
The first is Mazulu Halal Beef Noodles in Jinbōchō, which serves Lanzhou-style ramen originating from northwestern China. The restaurant uses halal-certified Japanese beef and over ten spices to create a rich, flavorful broth. All noodles are handmade in-house and come in three types: thin, flat, or triangular.
The shop holds a 3.59 rating on Tabelog, one of Japan’s largest restaurant review platforms. Tabelog uses a weighted review system; a 3.59 puts Mazulu in the top 3% of all reviewed ramen shops.
One reviewer said, “The soup feels familiar like pho, with added medicinal herbs, spices, and fragrant chili oil. It’s light yet spicy and rich in flavor. White radish adds a nice accent, and the freshly made noodles are smooth and delicious.”
Ayam-ya Okachimachi: Certified by Japan and Malaysia
Ayam-ya Okachimachi operates in the Okachimachi district and holds halal certification from both the Japan Halal Foundation and Malaysia Halal Corporation. It primarily serves classic soy sauce and salt-based ramen, with spicy variations available for each. In addition, the shop offers tsukemen-style ramen, where it serves cold noodles separately from hot broth, along with its signature crispy and juicy karaage chicken.
It currently holds a 3.11 rating on Tabelog. One reviewer wrote, “I tried the halal ramen and karaage. I chose the spicy salt flavor, and the balance with the chicken chashu was excellent. The green onions nicely mellowed the spiciness.”
Another reviewer added, “There was already a line of international tourists ten minutes before opening,” and praised the spicy chicken ramen as “deep in flavor and richly spiced.”
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Gyu-mon Halal Ramen: Prayer room and premium Wagyu
Picture: Gyu-mon Halal Ramen Ikebukuro website
Gyu-mon Halal Ramen Ikebukuro opened with the goal of letting Muslim customers enjoy authentic Japanese ramen. The restaurant holds full halal certification and avoids all pork and alcohol, while also welcoming vegan and vegetarian diners. It offers a clean and tranquil prayer room that guests can use at any time.
Diners can choose between two signature styles: a “rich and creamy” halal beef bone broth or a spicy soup made with original spicy miso. The kitchen prepares both with homemade medium-thick curly noodles. Each bowl features marble-patterned A5-grade halal wagyu and a secret spice blend.
The restaurant holds a 3.04 rating on Tabelog, where reviewers praised its “milky beef bone broth with deep umami, perfectly balanced with sweet-simmered beef shigureni, fried shallots, scallions, and chili threads.”
Honolu Ebisu: Fan favorite under 1,000 yen ($6.58)
Some ramen chains are starting to breach the so-called “1,000 yen wall” and offer their product for a more modern price. Not Honolu, which still keeps its bowl at Showa-era prices.
Honolu Ebisu is the third branch of the Honolu ramen chain and is located in Tokyo’s Ebisu district. The restaurant offers Muslim-friendly menus certified by the Malaysia Halal Corporation. It has earned a 3.25 rating on Tabelog, and is known as a trusted and popular spot.
Its signature chicken ramen features a rich chicken paitan broth, soft noodles, chicken, corn, seaweed, and a half-boiled egg with a deep orange yolk. The karaage ramen is also popular, as are the spicy ramen and halal dumplings filled with chicken and tofu. In addition, each bowl costs under 1,000 yen.
One reviewer especially praised the special chicken paitan (a thick and creamy chicken bone broth) ramen, saying, “The broth is thick and rich yet surprisingly light on the finish, the medium-thick curly noodles cling perfectly, and the toppings are luxurious, especially the meltingly soft half-boiled egg.”
Note: Only the Ebisu and Osaka branches offer halal-certified menus.
HALAL WAGYU Ramen & Tempura KONOHA: Premium Wagyu with tempura
HALAL WAGYU Ramen & Tempura KONOHA is located near Kanda Station in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward, close to Akihabara. The restaurant is officially listed as “Partially Halal Certified” and uses no pork or alcohol in its menu. Its signature dish is a light-style wagyu ramen topped generously with A5-grade wagyu beef, with optional spicy ramen and tempura toppings.
The shop holds a 4.9-star rating on Google. One reviewer said, “Very tasty ramen, the wagyu meat was delicious and the fried chicken was insanely good. I found it a little bit too expensive but it could be due to the price of the meat being halal.”
Another wrote, “Wow! This food was SO GOOD! The spicy wagyu special ramen was blowtorched. The karaage and tempura and ramen were delicious. The place is cozy, with 6 bar seats and 2 tables that can each sit 4. Our server spoke English and was very nice. I highly recommend it!!!”
Planning a trip to Japan? Get an authentic, interpreted experience from Unseen Japan Tours and see a side of the country others miss!
“Noah [at Unseen Japan] put together an itinerary that didn’t lock us in and we could travel at our own pace. In Tokyo, he guided us personally on a walking tour. Overall, he made our Japan trip an experience not to forget.” – Kate and Simon S., Australia
See a side of Tokyo that other tourists can’t. Book a tour with Unseen Japan Tours – we’ll tailor your trip to your interests and guide you through experiences usually closed off to non-Japanese speakers.
Want more news and views from Japan? Donate $5/month ($60 one-time donation) to the Unseen Japan Journalism Fund to join Unseen Japan Insider. You’ll get our Insider newsletter with more news and deep dives, a chance to get your burning Japan questions answered, and a voice in our future editorial direction.
Sources
ハラルらーめんを発売開始しました！Menya-Iroha
東京でおすすめのハラールラーメン店5選 byFood
ラーメンを食べられないイスラム教の方へ、「ハラル」対応ラーメンを！Nippon Hoso News Online
AloJapan.com