Steak isn’t the only way to eat wagyu beef in Japan. There are actually many ways to enjoy this premium Japanese beef. You can have wagyu grilled yakiniku-style, boiled in special broths for hot pots like shabu-shabu and sukiyaki, and even wagyu sashimi. You can even find certified halal wagyu in Tokyo. So whether you’re craving some wagyu steak, yakiniku, or shabu-shabu, you can find them all at some of these best halal wagyu restaurants in Tokyo.
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Translated, wagyu literally means "Japanese beef." Known to be one of the most expensive meats in the world, wagyu is unique and lots of people pay a great amount just to get this premium type of beef on their plate. Wagyu is famous for its marbling, which contains high-quality omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, resulting in a sweet and nongreasy flavor enjoyed by its many patrons. It also has that umami flavor that everyone raves about.
Wagyu has a distinct color, texture, firmness, and even brightness which are all seen once you’ve had it. And another great thing about wagyu is that there are restaurants now that offer halal wagyu beef on their menu. Back then, looking for halal restaurants was tough but with the growing Muslim community, many locals and foreigners now have access to these restaurants. Now, everybody can enjoy this glorious premium beef without having to worry!
If all of this is making you hungry, read on for some of the best halal wagyu restaurants in Tokyo. Go ahead and indulge yourself in some of Japan's most premium meat, the coveted wagyu beef. Or, if you're in a seafood mood, we've got you covered with our article about halal sushi in Tokyo.
3 Halal Wagyu Restaurants in Tokyo
Here are some of the top halal wagyu restaurants in Tokyo that we highly recommend for a Muslim-friendly meal.
1. Halal Sukiyaki Restaurant Diyafa
Halal Sukiyaki Restaurant Diyafa was born out of a single conversation. Chef Osagawa Hideki was chatting to a friend, when the conversation turned to his friend showing Muslim visitors around Japan, and the difficulties of finding halal food — even in a city as metropolitan as Tokyo. It was only at that point that he realized to what extent Japanese food used ingredients considered haram, such as sake and mirin.
So troubled by this was Chef Osagawa that he shuttered the traditional Japanese restaurant that he was running, and made it his mission to make Japanese food accessible to Muslim visitors. Sushi and yakiniku were some of the most common halal alternatives available, he reasoned, so he decided to try and explore an entirely different side of Japanese cuisine, one that is just as deeply rooted in Japanese culinary culture: sukiyaki.
Chef Osagawa is determined to give his clientele the best possible sukiyaki experience — just because it’s halal doesn’t mean it sacrifices any of the dish’s inherent deliciousness.
Reserve a table at Diyafa on byFood.
2. Panga Yakiniku
Another halal yakiniku place that will surely have a place in your heart is Panga Yakiniku. The place has been around for more than 16 years, serving top-quality halal wagyu to its guests, and earned its halal Certification from Japan halal Foundation, operated by Okachimachi Mosque. Everything here is made fresh daily. You can enjoy succulent and sumptuous yakiniku here without totally busting all your budget. You’ll instantly hear the sizzle of the halal wagyu beef slices once they hit the grill; the most satisfying sound there is. They also serve Japanese udon, with guests often pair with their halal yakiniku and other Korean dishes. But it’s their yakiniku that is worth coming back for.
3. Kochuan
Kochuan has been around for many years and continues to be one of the best and most authentic halal wagyu restaurants in Tokyo. One of their bestsellers is their halal Kobe beef course, which is good for one person. The gorgeously marbled wagyu beef melts in your mouth. While indulging in this juicy, premium meat, you can admire the Japanese garden before you. The place is perfect for those who want to get away from the rush of the city and just enjoy their serving of Halal wagyu and the beauty of Japanese tranquility.
Craving more Muslim-friendly Japanese food? Check out these halal ramen shops in Tokyo!