Finding halal restaurants in Osaka

WHEN traveling overseas, especially to non-Muslim majority countries, among the things occupying the mind of a Muslim traveller is the availability of halal food.

However, adequate preparation and internet references should be done before setting foot into any country.

Yours truly was given the opportunity to visit Osaka -- the second metropolitan city in Japan after Tokyo -- on February 9 on an assignment as a journalist.


Visiting this part of the country at this time means you have to be ready complete with proper clothing as the temperature can reach up to 1 degree Celsius at night.

The city of Osaka is also known as 'tenka no daidokoro' or 'The Nation's Kitchen’, referring to its reputation as the food haven or rice trade hub in Japan.


In Osaka, halal restaurants are mostly located in the Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori areas.

These two locations are tourist attractions, surrounded by 10 halal restaurants.

In one halal restaurant in Shinsaibashi, called ‘Ganko’, traditional Japanese food is served.

Ganko is a posh restaurant that you need to book three days in advance before you can dine in there.

I was briefed by a staff who said they needed some time to prepare the halal ingredients before serving the customers.



Approximately 10 minutes from the Namba train station is the one and only restaurant selling halal ramen for Muslims, called Ramen Honolu.

This small restaurant is very popular among tourists from Malaysia and Indonesia.

A reminder: Bring lots of coins as this restaurant takes its orders via a vending machine.


Among the things you should do in Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori:

1. Take a picture with Glico Man

Located in Dotonbori, Glico Man is a giant billboard picturing snacks and tidbits by Ezaki Glico.

In 1935, the company promoted their products on the Glico Man billboard with the slogan '300 Meters on a Single Piece'.

Everyone who visits Osaka will almost certainly takes a photo with the Glico Man, hence inadvertently making it a landmark of the town.


2. Try the street snack like takoyaki and okonomiyaki

Takoyaki is a dish made from either seafood or vegetables, wrapped in flour balls. It is usually served with lemon juice and sliced onions.

4. Visit this link before arriving in Osaka: http://www.halalmedia.jp/wp content/uploads/osaka_map_ver1.pdf

When looking for the location of halal restaurants, you may be lost in translation, literally, as the Japanese signboards there are bigger than the English ones.

Do not be embarrassed to ask. Language is not a barrier, although most Japanese are not fluent in English.

Most interestingly, they would use Google Translate to answer your questions.