Muslim-Friendly Dining: 5 Halal Restaurants in Osaka

If you’ve ever read our blog on what to eat in Osaka, you already know that this city is often referred to as the “kitchen of Japan.” With some of the country’s most beloved street food — heard of takoyaki or okonomiyaki? — and plenty of their own unique takes on other Japanese dishes, you can see what people are talking about.

Even so, how easy is it to find halal food in Osaka? In a country where dietary restrictions can be lesser known or misunderstood, it’s easier than you’d think. 

There are also halal-friendly cooking classes in our list of the best cooking classes in Osaka, but if you’d rather have the Muslim-friendly morsels come to you, keep reading!

“Halal” refers to anything that is permissible or lawful in Islam. When it comes to food, it specifically refers to items that are prepared and consumed in accordance with Islamic dietary laws.

Some common dietary restrictions in halal include avoiding pork and its by-products, alcohol, blood, and animals that were not slaughtered in the name of Allah. It also prohibits cross-contamination with non-halal items.

Look for a halal certification label on the packaging, which indicates that the product meets the requirements set by Islamic law. Additionally, you can research the brand or, if you’re booking a restaurant through our byFood platform, request confirmation at the time of booking.

1. Honke Tankuma Honten
2. Ali’s Kitchen
3. Hafez
4. Three Peace Matsuri
5. Ramen Honolulu

Honke Tankuma Honten is the kind of restaurant that would likely make your must-visit list even if it didn’t have halal options, simply because it offers beautiful views of Kyoto’s Takase River from its private traditional tatami-mat dining rooms.

Thanks to Kumasaburo Kurisu, known as a pioneer of Kyoto kappo cuisine and “The God of Cookery,” however, you’ll have plenty more to indulge in than the riverside scenes. Kumasaburo traveled through an awe-inspiring 70 countries, including Africa and the Middle East, honing his craft and knowledge of other cultures and their cuisines. 

Bringing this knowledge back to his own kitchen, he created muslim-friendly and halal menus, in addition to menus for vegetarian and kosher diners. Now that you know your dietary restrictions are catered for, you can truly relax and soak up the decadent dishes, changing with the fresh ingredients of each season.

2. Ali’s Kitchen (Arabic and Pakistani)

For a taste of Pakistani and Arabic specialties, head to Ali’s Kitchen in the heart of Osaka, just moments from Shinsaibashi Station. When you see the telltale Pakistani flag outside, you’re home.

Being awarded a Michelin star back in 2017 and 2018, you can sit down knowing that this cozy restaurant is cooking with a foundation of Michelin-recognized flavor. Dive into the depths of their halal biryanis, masalas and more — but not before kicking off with their varied appetizers, of course, including Seikh kebab, shrimp tandoori, samosa and channa chat.

Salivating already? Explore their full menu for a taste of what’s to come.

Only a 7-minute walk from the iconic Dotonbori River — or 25 minutes if you want to feel the pulse of the city in the central Dotonbori area — Hafez is your new go-to restaurant for halal-friendly Iranian, Turkish, Indian and Middle Eastern dishes.

As a self-titled “halal restaurant,” you can relax and truly eat to your heart’s content with their extensive menu, including spicy lamb curry, a variety of juicy kebabs, warming stews and soups, Turkish nibbles like pitta and fresh hummus, and even an Arabic classic: Lahmacun, a thin naan dough that’s filled with cheese and vegetables before being baked in the oven.

With intimate private rooms separated from the room by a royal, red curtain and cushions on the floor, get a taste of making memories the Middle Eastern way.

Browse Hafez’s full menu before you come to Osaka!

If you’re of Muslim faith or simply abiding by a halal-friendly diet, Three Peace Matsuri needs to be on your list of halal restaurants in Osaka.

Unlike many halal restaurants in Japan which focus on more Middle Eastern fares, a region where halal cuisine is more widely understood, this restaurant takes traditional Japanese dishes and makes them halal-friendly.

For what may be your first time, you can try halal-friendly sushi, sashimi, kushikatsu skewers, teppanyaki, and — since you’re in Osaka — make sure to try their halal takoyaki octopus balls.

Take a look through the full Three Peace Matsuri menu.

Ramen Honolulu is a chain of halal-friendly ramen restaurants with a few different spots throughout Japan, but we’re taking you to the Osaka Namba branch so you can also stop by the Namba Yasaka Shrine and Naniwa Park nearby once you’ve satiated your ramen craving.

Here, you’ll find a wide range of ramen worth slurping up, from fried chicken ramen and wagyu ramen to spicy ramen and yakiniku ramen. Plus, try to name a better duo than ramen and gyoza — we’ll wait. Throw in a serving of halal gyoza and you’re truly eating good.

Halal ramen in Tokyo or Kyoto? You’re in luck! They also have branches in Asakusa, Shibuya, and Kyoto’s Gion district. Each branch has a few of their own unique ramen options, so take yourself on a halal ramen tour of Japan.

Relish halal ramen on their full menu.

Hungry for more things to do and eat in Osaka? Check out our 3-day Osaka itinerary, add a few more dishes to your day with what to eat in Osaka, or explore the plant-based side of the menu with our Kobe and Osaka vegan guide.

Absolutely! Many ramen shops in Japan offer halal-friendly options, using ingredients that adhere to Islamic dietary laws. Be sure to check with the restaurant staff to confirm their halal status.

Japan has seen a rise in halal-friendly establishments catering to Muslim travelers. From restaurants to hotels, you can find a variety of halal options to enjoy during your trip, no matter your beliefs or dietary requirements.

While prayer facilities may not be as prevalent as in Muslim-majority countries, some mosques, prayer rooms, and Islamic centers can be found in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Additionally, some hotels are now offering prayer rooms for their Muslim guests.

Halal products are not restricted to Muslims and can be enjoyed by anyone. The stringent standards followed in halal certification ensure high quality and cleanliness in the production process. Happy eating!