What is a trip to the Land Of The Rising Sun without slurping on a sensational bowl of ramen? Those with dietary restrictions may find it a tad tricky to enjoy ramen due to the complexity of this dish—from its hearty broth, numerous ingredients to the types of meat used which more often than not involves the addition of pork.

Muslim travellers would be pleased to know that there is a steady increase in the number of eateries offering halal ramen to cater to the growing Muslim tourist population. This implies that either the ramen shop-owner is a Muslim or the restaurant strictly uses only halal meat for its dishes and seafood stock for its broth.

Take your pick from this specially-curated list and indulge in a heartwarming bowl of oishii ramen with your loved ones. While you are at it, do not forget to add some chilli paste for that extra punch! Here are 6 Best Halal Ramen Eateries In Tokyo For A Taste Of Japan.

Photo Credit: Halal Ramen & Dining Honolu Ebisu

#1 HALAL RAMEN & DINING HONOLU EBISU

A seven-minute walk from Ebisu station will take you to this Muslim-friendly ramen joint, where you can indulge in flavoursome bowls of this highly popular Japanese noodle dish. Highlights of their diverse menu include the Rich Chicken Soy Sauce Ramen, Spicy Ramen, Fried Chicken Ramen, and Rich Chicken Flavour Ramen.

Opt to pair your tantalising ramen with their crisp Nikkoken (chicken and tofu) gyoza. Dip these pan-fried dumpling-like treats into your thick ramen broth and savour the mouth-watering goodness.

ABC Americabashi Bldg. 1F, 1-23-1 Ebisuminami, Sibuya-ku
Tokyo 105-0022
Tel: +81 035 734 1667
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10pm

Photo Credit: Halal Ramen Honolu Nihonbashi

#2 HALAL RAMEN HONOLU NIHONBASHI

Halal Ramen Honolu has two outlets in Tokyo and their second outlet is in the area of Nihonbashi. You can enjoy similar dishes here and if you have a penchant for spicy food, go for the Spicy Fried Chicken Ramen.

Complement your ramen with a portion of Karaage. The crispy chicken is fried to perfection, with a distinct crunch in every bite. Be rest assured that prices here will not leave your wallet with a massive dent.

4-9 Kobuna-cho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku
Tokyo 103-0024
Tel: +81 036 661 7724
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5pm – 9.30pm

Photo Credit: Royal Indonesia Travel

#3 MENYA KAIJIN 

Located just outside Shinjuku station, this particular ramen joint specialises in seafood-based ramen broth. They take pride in their signature Shio Ramen which is essentially a light-based soup—usually either chicken or fish-flavoured. The clear broth is really aromatic and offers something different to the palate.

Even though this place is not halal-certified, they do offer Muslim-friendly options for Muslim travellers. Since they open until late daily, you can even have this for supper as its piping hot light broth is perfect for satisfying those midnight hunger pangs.

2F, 3-35-7, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo 160-0022
Tel: +81 033 356 5658
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 4.30pm – 11.30pm

Photo Credit: Naritaya Asakusa

#4 NARITAYA ASAKUSA

Found along one of the less bustling shopping arcades, you can expect a simple but comforting menu from Halal-certified Naritaya Asakusa which features several ramen options. Aromatic broiled chicken is used as a substitute for the usual pork fillet in ramen broth and the ramen stall uses only halal ingredients.

Since Naritaya is operated by a noodle factory, you will be glad to know that the handmade springy noodles here offer just the right texture to complement your ramen.

2-7-13, Asakusa, Taito-ku
Tokyo 111-0032
Tel: +81 034 285 9806
Mon to Sat: 11am – 10pm
Sun: 11am – 9pm

Photo Credit: Shinjuku Gyoen Ramen Ouka

#5 SHINJUKU GYOEN RAMEN OUKA

This halal-certified eatery’s ramen is the most unique among the lot. Their sea bream-based broth offers a hint of tanginess courtesy of a special secret ingredient: tomatoes. The broth tastes heavenly and truly whets your appetite.

There are also vegan options here to cater to the dietary needs of vegetarians. An interesting point to note is that this eatery is a typical tachigui shop—a traditional standing-room-only restaurant.

1-11-7 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo 160-0022
Tel: +81 035 925 8426
Mon to Thu: 2pm – 10pm
Fri: 5pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 12.30pm – 10pm

Photo Credit: T’s Tantan

#6 T’S TANTAN

Boasting a terrific mash-up of flavours and textures, the nutritious ramen dishes here are made without any ingredients of animal origin. This is a perfect ramen restaurant for vegan visitors and poses as a Muslim-friendly alternative for those seeking halal options.

The popular choices here include the Soy Sauce Ramen and the White Tantan. If you want something more filling, get the Mini Rice Bowl Set and delight in a mini rice bowl along with your noodles. The dishes here are carefully prepared to ensure that these nourishing bowls offer great quality.

1-9-1 Yaesu South Exit, 1F, Keiyo Street, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-0005
Tel: +81 033 218 8040
Daily: 7am – 11pm

For more recommendations, read our guide on the best places to discover in Tokyo.

Ask a local where to go for a casual yakitori meal in Tokyo and they would probably point you to Torikizoku. It is arguably one of the biggest yakitori chain in Japan and there are outlets everywhere.

It is almost impossible to not locate a Torikizoku in Central Tokyo; just in Shinjuku alone, there are more than 5 outlets. That they see queues every single night at every outlet speaks of their massive popularity and there is every reason to love Torikizoku.

It is undisputedly the best name to trust when you want a casual, fuss-free, authentic local izakaya experience in Tokyo. And the best part? You won’t have to break the bank for a meal at Torikizoku; everything on the menu—including alcohol—is priced at only ¥298 each. Most of the branches open till 5am daily; you know where to go when you are feeling hungry at night!

Every item on the menu at Torikizoku is priced at an amazingly affordable ¥298. Yes, regardless of which skewer you order, side dishes or drinks, everything is ¥298 each.

Its affordability is probably its primary reason for success. The outlets may be big—each outlet sits averagely 150 to 200 people—but be prepared to wait for a table. Queues are common and you would realise the bulk of its patrons are actually locals—students, young executives and whatnot, all merry-making over yakitori and beer.

The vibrant atmosphere of the izakaya-style restaurant still gives you privacy; the seating area is partitioned into individual “booths” of sorts and big groups are definitely welcome.

On its skewers menu, you have a good range of meats. From chicken meatballs to pork belly and beef slices, the skewers come in an assortment of flavours and marination. Some of our favourites are the chicken meatballs with cheese, pork belly with leek, marinated beef and chicken skin.

Side dishes include seasoned eggs, udon, vegetables and the in-betweens.

You know what’s awesome, too? Alcohol is also priced at ¥298! Delicious yakitori and cheap beer; what more can you ask in life?

Now you know the reason why we visit Torikizoku every single trip to Tokyo?

Torikizoku
1 Chome-17-12 Kabukicho
Tel: +81 3-3200-9332
Daily: 5pm – 5am

There is a common misconception that Tokyo is a pricey destination to visit, what with souvenir shops by the dozens, and tasty food choices no matter where you turn. But saying that Tokyo is expensive need not necessarily be true.

We believe that you can always choose whether or not your trip to the land of sushi, ramen and all things kawaii is going to be painful to the wallet or not. Tokyo has many affordable yet impressive dining options within the city.

Ganso Zushi—a Kaitenzushi chain in Tokyo—is one such place. It is not a name as frequently mentioned when people talk about dining in Tokyo, but it is definitely one which serves fresh sushi at incredibly affordable prices.

The kaitenzushi chain has outlets all over Tokyo, so you will probably stumble across one of their restaurants while you are in the more popular shopping districts around the city. They are relatively easy to locate and can be found in popular shopping districts, so you do not need to go hunting for them.

Prices for their sushi starts from ¥130 (S$1.72) for plates with the more “regular” choices such as salmon and tuna. Subsequently, other plates go at ¥210, ¥262, ¥399 and ¥525. You will find all kinds of sushi in the likes of fatty tuna, sweet prawns, swordfish, and even uni (sea urchin)!

Photo Credit: bitterbubblegums

The freshness is not compromised despite it being a chain. English menus are provided in the restaurant, so you do not need to worry much about the language barrier.

A tip from the locals for all kaitenzushi chains would be to order straight from the sushi chef. The Japanese rarely ever take plates of sushi off the conveyer belt, simply because they might have been there for a while, and freshness means everything to the locals.

Ganso Zushi Shinjuku
160-0023 Tokyo Nishi-Shinjuku
Shinjuku-ku, 1-15-5
Tel: +81 03-5321-5775
Daily: 11.30am – 11pm

Just when you think the Japanese cannot outdo themselves, they prove you wrong. They have always been known for their creativity in innovations, and our recent visit to Kura Sushi in Ikebukuro proved that a sushi restaurant need not be just a sushi restaurant.

Kura Sushi might not seem like much to the unsuspecting passerby. But look out for it, and you will be rewarded with pocket-friendly ¥100 sushi. Yes, you read that right—¥100. That is less than S$1.50!

But eating has never been more rewarding. You also get to experience the gachapon machines within the restaurant! Here is why you should visit Kura Sushi And Go Crazy With ¥100 Sushi.

If you did not do your research before visiting Ikebukuro, you might just walk past Kura Sushi. After all, it is located in the basement of a boring office building, and it is far from the big shops and restaurants in the shopping district.

But if you take a closer look, you will realise just how crowded Kura Sushi is—and the crowd is mostly locals! Expect a waiting time of about 45 minutes to an hour.

Kura Sushi is not your ordinary kaiten sushi chain. Besides offering sushi at ridiculously cheap prices of ¥100 per plate, you also get to play with the gachapon machines stationed at every table. While on the conveyer belt, the plates of sushi make their rounds in little domes to retain the freshness.

After you finish devouring four plates of sushi, drop the plates into a little slot in the table and you will automatically have a go at the gachapon machine. Chances of winning this electronic gachapon are at random, so try your luck!

The standard of taste and quality at Kura Sushi, however, is not stellar. It is definitely not the best in Tokyo, but we believe that for ¥100 per plate, and for the added fun of playing with gachapon machines, it is worth that trip to Ikebukuro.

Kura Sushi
Toshima-ku, Tokyo Minamiikebukuro
1-19-5 G Building Minamiikebukuro 01 B1F
Tel: +81 03-5960-1810
Mon to Fri: 11am – 11pm
Sat and Sun: 10.20am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Ikebukuro

Read: Guide to Tokyo’s Best Affordable Sushi Restaurants.

One of the Japanese food that you must eat in Tokyo is tempura. Once you have tried tempura in Japan, you will never see it in the same light again. The tempura is deep-fried to perfection: amazing airily light and crisp, not too oily or greasy, and very delicious.

Here are 4 affordable tempura restaurants in Tokyo.

Aoi Marushin

Aoi Marushin is a famous tempura restaurant which has been serving tempura for 60 years. If you are on a hunt to try the best tempura in Tokyo, Aoi Marushin is a must visit. They have a selection of dishes to choose from, such as the Tempura Set (¥2,310), and Tendon (¥1,700). For the full package, go for the Kaiseki Aoi (¥5,250) which features two kinds of appetisers, soup, sashimi, grilled fish, stewed dish, tempura, rice and dessert.

1-4-4 Asakusa, Taito-ku
Tel: +81 3 3841 0110
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Right of Kaminari gate at Sensoji Temple
Nearest Station: Asakusa

Daikokuya

Also in Asakusa, just a stone’s throw away from the famous Senso-ji Temple is Daikokuya, a small and cosy joint which offers excellent tempura. Daikokuya is extremely popular and commands a long queue during meal times. The basic Tendon set (¥1,500) – with one prawn, mixed tempura and kisu fish – is a good choice, while the Tempura set (¥1,650) comes with three prawns and one kisu fish.

If you are visiting Senso-ji Temple, you must stop by here for a meal.

1-38-10 Asakusa, Taiko-li
Tel: +81 3 3844 1111
Sun to Fri: 11.15am – 8.30pm
Sat: 11.15am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Asakusa

Tempura Tendon Tenya

The poster boy for cheap and good tempura, Tenya is a fastfood chain with more than 500 stores in Japan. A basic Tendon (tempura-donburi) with ebi and vegetable is only ¥500.

We were in disbelief when we had the tendon. It might not be the best tempura, but it was very decent, and surely a steal for the price. This is probably the cheapest tempura restaurant in Tokyo, a place where you can have tempura without breaking the bank.

1-25-1 Nishishinjuku
Shinjuku
Tel: +81 3 3345 1266
Nearest Station: Shinjuku

4-31 Jingumae
Shibuya-ku
Opposite F21 Building in Harajuku
Nearest Station: Meijijingumae

Tenfusu Tempura

Most people go to Tsukiji Market for sushi breakfast, but if you want to try something else, go to Tenfusu – which is located just beside Sushi Dai and Sushi Daiwa – for their tempura. The tempura is top quality. It is fried to a beautiful golden brown, and not oily at all. Go for their Tempura Platter (¥1,200), and Tempura-don (¥1,100).

5-2-1, Building 6
Chuo-ku, Tsukiji Market, Tokyo
Tel: +81 3 3547 6766
Nearest Station: Tsukiji/Tsukijishijo

For more recommendations, read our Tokyo Food & Travel Guides.

Japanese food in Tokyo is one-of-a-kind experience and is a leisure on a whole different level. Sushi and sashimi are so fresh that you will never see Japanese food in the same light ever again. And the authenticity is one that you do not get as with eating local food at any other country. For one, it is beyond atmospheric that, once again, eating Japanese food in Japan will change your life altogether – in every good way, of course.

People always speak of how expensive Japanese food is and how the price tags deter them from feasting when in Japan. It is not true. We have sussed out 4 Affordable Sushi Restaurants in Tokyo that you can try without breaking the bank.

Midori Sushi

Having heard raved reviews about Midori Sushi, I was looking forward to dine there to find out why it is so popular. One of the reason why there is a long queue at Midori Sushi every day is because of the reasonable prices. The cheapest sushi set is only ¥840. However, we were not blown away by it – the sushi was decent, but nothing special – especially since we had to queue more than half an hour for it. Nonetheless, this is a place to dine at if you are looking for an affordable sushi restaurant in Tokyo, and if you do not mind queuing.

Dogenzaka 1-12-3
Mark City East 4F
Open 11am-10pm daily
Tel: +81 03 5458 0002
Nearest Station: Shibuya

Nemuro Hanamaru

Don’t be deceived by the conveyer belt sushi restaurant at Kitte Shopping Mall, which is a few minutes walk from Tokyo Station. Nemuro hHnamaru serves fresh sushi at great value. Most of the sushi plates are priced between ¥136 to ¥336. One of our favourites was the Seared Salmon (¥262). From the side menu, the Crab Soup (¥336) – with huge chunks of crab meat – and the Chawanmushi (¥262) are also excellent choices.

Tokyo KITTE 5F
2-7-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
Tel: +81 03 6269 9026
Mon to Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Tokyo

Ryu Sushi

A trip to Tokyo will not be complete without having sushi breakfast at the world famous Tsukiji Market. Sushi Dai and Sushi Daiwa are the most popular sushi restaurants at the fish market. However, people wait in line from as early as 6am, and the queue is easily three hours long. Honestly, I feel that the other sushi bars in Tsukiji Market are just as good.

One place that you can try is Ryu Sushi. It has a extremely good and fresh sashimi and sushi at very decent prices. The Kiku Sushi Set (¥2,100) comes with 7 pieces of sushi, and 6 pieces of sushi rolls, and a beautiful Chirashi (¥3,100). We were blown away by the quality and freshness of the food.

Read: Five reasons to visit Tsukiji Market

5-2-1, Building 1. Chuo-ku
Tsukiji Market, Tokyo
Tel: +81 03 3541 9517
Nearest Station: Tsukiji/Tsukijishijo

Uoriki Kaisen Sushi

Uoriki Kaisen Sushi is a place where I will return to again and again whenever I am in Tokyo. It does not have any Michelin stars, nor is it extremely popular. But it serves super good quality sushi and sashimi at ridiculously cheap prices.

The basic Sushi Set (¥990), with ten pieces of sushi, is very value-for-money. Our favourite dish is the Chirashi-don (¥1,390) which comes with huge slices of sashimi. Uoriki Kaisen Sushi is a hidden gem and one of the most affordable sushi restaurants in Tokyo. I wholeheartedly recommend this place.

B1 Tokyu Department Store
2-24-1 Shibuya
Tel: +81 03 5428 3813
Daily: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Shibuya