Dining in Japanese restaurants in Malaysia with no Halal certification can be a tricky thing. How often do we hear folks justify and say “oh, it’s okay, it’s just seafood” or “there’s no meat and just veggies, so it’s fine” or “no pork or alcohol, so okay lah”? There is a high chance that you have.
Muslim Singaporeans and Malaysians often find themselves on the lookout for halal Japanese restaurants in Malaysia. The reasons for their quest can vary: Singaporeans might assume that a Muslim-majority country like Malaysia offers superior halal options, while Malaysians might expect that being in their own Muslim-majority nation ensures the use of exclusively halal ingredients, the absence of alcohol, and the preparation of dishes by fellow Muslims, adhering to Islamic dietary requirements.
These listings are intended to ignite your curiosity about how well a particular establishment aligns with your individual Islamic dietary needs. They serve as a means to challenge your own perceptions of an eatery’s level of halal compliance. Ultimately, the decision lies with you, and if you have doubts or concerns (was-was), it’s entirely within your rights to opt out altogether. Ask yourselves, are you okay with ‘pork-free’ or ‘no-pork-no-lard’ or ‘muslim-friendly’ establishments?
Japanese Restaurants in Malaysia
In this Halalke series, we focus on ingredients used in major Japanese food chains restaurants in a Muslim-majority country like Malaysia.
“Our status of the restaurant is not considered Halal because we selling alcohol. Thank you. Yes our meat also have Halal certificate. Some of the menu have mirin or sake for base ingredients.”
By Ichiban Boshi Facebook Messenger
“We do not carry a halal certification at the moment. However, we are looking into it and hope to obtain this certification in the near future.
Rest assured, all our dishes are completely pork-free. In addition, all our meat and chicken suppliers are compliant with halal requirements. We also do not add mirin (a type of Japanese alcoholic condiment) into our sushi rice.
At the same time, we are also pleased to inform that our sister brand Hei Sushi, which is Halal certified by JAKIM is now open in Alamanda Shopping Mall and MyTown Shopping Centre. Hei Sushi specializes in a fresh dining concept of contemporary Japanese cuisine infused with favourite local flavours.”
By J-kie Yong (Customer Service Department)
“Sorry we can’t promise that our meat is halal as our Japanese chef buy it from morning market by him self. 100% pork free cafe.”
By Nippori Café Facebook Messenger
Kura Restaurant, One world Hotel
Kura Restaurant at One World Hotel provided no responses. However, from photos and description found on the restaurant’s social media, alcohol is served on the premises.
“Please be informed that our restaurant is not halal due to beer serving. Other than that, all of our meat based products are from halal certified supplier and we are pork free.
However, some of our cook dishes did contain mirin for taste purpose. Generally, during the cooking process, the mirin will evaporate.”
Best Regards, Management of Super Sushi
No reply from Kuriya Restaurant. From photos and description provided by the restaurant shared on social media, mirin-based sauces are used in the preparation of food like ramen. Alcohol is served on the premises.
“Thank you very much for your enquiry about halal status of our restaurant.
Please be informed that our restaurant is not halal due to sake serving. Other than that, all of our meat based products are from halal certified supplier and we are pork free.
However, some of our cook dishes did contain mirin for taste purpose. Generally, during the cooking process, the mirin will evaporate.”
Best Regards, Management of Super Dining Sdn Bhd
“Hi there. We are pork free but yet to get any halal certification. Meats are from halal sources but not some of the sauces.”
By OKONOMI Facebook Messenger
“We are not halal restaurant and some dishes in our menu contains alcohol. Some meat supplier send us halal items, except chicken but some imported items like wagyu beef doesn’t have halal certificate. Alcohol is served on the premises.”
By Nobu Kuala Lumpur Facebook Messenger
Hi, thank you very much for your enquiry. We are in the midst of preparing to get halal status. It may take probably two years to adjust some recipes and source all ingredients from halal suppliers.
Currently, our Ramen Soup, Udon Soup and Mentaiko Sauce contain Mirin. The meat we use is halal certified. There is no Mirin in our Sushi rice. We do not serve alcohol in the premise. Thank you very much
Halal-Certified by JAKIM Japanese restaurants in Malaysia (as of writing)
Check Sukiya’s Halal policy here.
Sushi King – Halal-certified except for a few outlets
Check Sushi King outlet Halal status here.
To eat or not to eat
Dining in Japanese restaurants in Malaysia can be a tricky thing but if we understand what goes into what we eat, choosing where we dine would be easier in the long run. Lastly, ingredients matter. Hence, always best to verify before we say Bismillah!
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