As much as I enjoy Japanese food for its simplicity, sometimes choosing the right option as a Muslim is anything but a simple process. That process of finding Muslim-friendly Japanese restaurants often made me ask myself if the ramen broth was simmered with pork bones or if the sushi rice has any alcohol content, and even if the teriyaki sauce has sake in them. No longer.
Those days are finally over as I’ve curated the 10 best Muslim-friendly Japanese restaurants in Singapore to fit any appetite. You can finally not worry about the details and just focus on the good part, which is eating!
1. Hei Sushi
Hei Sushi is not known just for its sushi but also being the only halal sushi outlet that serves those delectable rice rolls on a conveyor belt. Now, I’m not one for gimmicky things in food, but there’s just something about anticipating your favourite sushi while row after row of them move in an orderly fashion, like a sushi highway!
If you’re picking off the conveyor belt, each plate is priced by its colours, or if you’re the impatient type (like me), you can order individual sushi items from their extensive sushi menu such as Salmon Skin Gunkan (S$3.80) and Tobimayo Idako Maki (S$9.30). You can even order Japanese dishes like Teriyaki Chicken Ramen (S$18.20) and Spicy Salmon Donburi (S$16.50).
Refer to locations, contact numbers, and opening hours here.
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2. The Ramen Stall
For all your ramen needs and then some, The Ramen Stall has got you covered. This halal-certified establishment has only one goal in mind: providing an authentic Japanese culinary experience without cutting any corners.
Their speciality, ramen, uses a broth that’s prepared by boiling chicken meat and bones for over 30 hours. Its dedication to the craft shows why it’s one of the best Muslim-friendly Japanese restaurants around.
You have ramen options such as Mala Ramen (S$14.90), Chicken Cha Shu Ramen (S$13.90), Beef Ramen (S$14.90) and Kimchi with Minced Chicken Ramen (S$13.90).
They also serve other Japanese dishes like Chicken Yakitori (S$7.90), Unadon (S$18.90) and Japanese Curry Rice (S$12.90).
787 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198755
+65 6655 0800
Mon to Thu: 11am – 4pm & 5pm – 11pm
Fri to Sun: 11am – 11pm
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3. Daya Izakaya
Daya Izakaya is Singapore’s only halal-certified izakaya restaurant. For the uninitiated, izakayas are casual places for after-work eating and drinking, similar to pubs where they typically serve shareable cuisines.
For light finger food, you can opt for their Crispy Chicken Karaage (S$8), Soft Shell Crab Tempura (S$12.50) and Ika Karaage (S$12). There are also sushi options like Crab Cheese Maki (S$12) and Spicy Salmon Roll (S$12).
Obviously, there isn’t any alcohol available, but you still do have interesting drink options that are imported directly from Japan such as Tomomasu Pineapple Soda (S$6), Salt Soda (S$8) and Fuwatto Melon Cream Soda (S$4).
254 Jalan Kayu, Singapore 7994815
+65 8321 5242
Sun to Thu: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 11pm
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4. Gyūnion
Established on 10 Jul 2018, Gyūnion ensures its gyu (beef) inspired dishes are as authentic as possible by using carefully sourced ingredients directly from Japan. It also doesn’t skimp on effort as every blend, broth, curry paste and sauce are made from scratch in an effort to make it one of the best Muslim-friendly Japanese restaurants around.
Their gyu options include Gyu-don (S$7.90), Gyu-men (S$8.90), Spicy Gyu-men (S$9.90) and Gyu-don with Curry Sauce (S$7.90).
Despite having a predominantly beef-heavy menu, there are also chicken options such as your Chicken-don (S$7.50) and Chicken-don with Curry Sauce (S$7.50). You can also opt for their fan favourite, the Cheesy Chicken-don (S$8.50).
138 Robinson Road, Oxley Tower, #02-03, Singapore 068906
Mon to Wed: 12pm – 6.30pm
Thu & Fri: 12pm – 8pm
Closed on Sat & Sun
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5. Fu-Men
Fu-Men is the first halal-certified udon restaurant in Singapore. Adding to that is their specialisation in Hakata-style udon which hails from the province of Fukuoka and is distinguished by its use of thick and chewy noodles.
The best part is, one of its partners is Chef Teppei Yamashita — you may know him as the man behind other Japanese restaurants such as Teppei and Man Man Unagi.
Expect to be treated by the authentic flavours of its Japanese cuisine, such as Wakame Udon (Seaweed) (S$10.50), Kashiwa Udon (Chicken) (S$14.50), Niku Udon (Beef Stew) (S$18) and Tori Ten Udon (Chicken Tempura) (S$18).
16 Raffles Quay, Hong Leong Building, #B1-17/18, Singapore 048581
+65 6224 1134
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm
Sat: 10am – 3pm
Closed on Sun
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6. Oiishii Corner
Despite being located at a hawker centre, Oiishii Corner certainly delivers when it comes to tasty and affordable Japanese food.
And the cook isn’t just any slouch either, as he was formerly a part-time chef in Japan who started Oiishii Corner back in 2017 to provide a halal Japanese food experience to the masses.
Its menu was surprisingly varied with most Japanese dishes that you can think of such as the Teriyaki Chicken Ramen (S$6.50), Chicken Katsu Curry Don (S$5.50) and Salmon Teri Don (S$6).
My go-to’s are the Oiishii Beef Don (S$5.50) and Inari Ramen (S$5.50) which were rightfully recommended by the owner.
22 Lorong 7 Toa Payoh, Kim Keat Palm Market & Food Centre, #01-61, Singapore 311022
+65 9797 1004
Sat to Thu: 11am – 6pm
Closed on Fri
7. Ryo Yakiniku
Continuing with the hawker stall theme is Ryo Yakiniku, apparently, Singapore’s first Muslim-owned eatery serving Japanese BBQ experience in a casual coffee shop setting. You can expect a proper BBQ experience with no skimping on ingredients albeit on a smaller scale or rather smaller grill.
Most of its proteins are USDA graded with options such as Prime Karubi (S$6 for 50g), Angus Striploin (S$12 for 140g) and of course, no yakiniku experience is complete without Wagyu (S$18 for 100g).
There are also other items to grill like the Salmon Belly (S$8 for 200g), Vegetable Platter (S$6) and Mushroom Platter (S$6).
61 Tai Seng Avenue, Print Media Hub, Singapore 534167
+65 9062 9206
Mon to Sat: 5pm – 10.30pm
Closed on Sun
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8. Kenji Taco Sushi
Kenji Taco Sushi is by no means an authentic Japanese experience, but it’s without a doubt probably one of the tastiest with its unique sushi taco combinations. It’s so good that Northpoint City has 2 outlets that cover both the lower and top floors.
The sushi taco is essentially seaweed in a taco shape that’s been fried with a light batter and topped with familiar sushi combinations. This is definitely the most unique Muslim-friendly Japanese restaurants around!
You have options such as California (S$4.80), Ebi Furai (S$4.80), Chuka Wakame (seaweed) (S$4.80) and Spicy Salmon (S$6.80). You can even craft your own sushi taco starting from S$7.80.
Should you prefer something more filling, you can opt for their Chirashi bowls like Chicken Teriyaki (S$8.80) and Scallop Truffle (S$10.80). Oh, and have I mentioned they also serve Japanese Hyogo Oysters at S$3.90 per piece?
930 Yishun Avenue 2, Northpoint City, North Wing, #B2-12, Singapore 769098
Daily: 10.30am – 9pm
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9. Monster Planet
A staple in the world of Muslim-friendly Japanese restaurants, Monster Planet has proven time and time again that it holds a monopoly over any Japanese curry restaurant. It first started as Monster Curry back in 2012, and several years later, they would open a new branch that is halal-certified.
It’s evident from the get-go why Monster Planet is best eaten with an eating buddy, as the size for some of the items are just absurd like the Mountain Monster Curry (S$29.90), Monster Combo Curry (S$32) and Flame Monster Curry (S$29.90).
Solo eaters need not worry as they have items like Signature Chicken Katsu Curry (S$15) and Beef Shabu-Shabu Omelette Curry (S$15.90).
Refer to locations, contact numbers, and opening hours here.
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10. Ichikokudo Hokkaido Ramen
Ichikokudo Hokkaido Ramen is pretty much a household name amongst the Muslim community for its authentic ramen and not to mention the fact that it’s halal-certified.
Instead of using pork bones for their broth, they used chicken bones instead which are simmered for several hours. This results in a savoury and rich-tasting broth.
Its menu reads like a ramen encyclopedia, with all types of ramen such as Shoyu Ramen, Hokkai Ramen, Miso Ramen and Jigoku Ramen. Some of the ramen flavours include Hokkai Butter Ramen (S$11.90), Sapporo Beef Miso Ramen (S$14.90) and the spicy Hokkai-Jigoku Smoked Duck Ramen (S$15.90).
There are also non-ramen options such as Japanese Beef Yakiniku Don (S$13.90) and Teriyaki Salmon Don (S$15.80).
Refer to locations, contact numbers, and opening hours here.
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Other articles you might like:
19 best ramen shops in Singapore for a slurpping good time
10 best authentic Japanese restaurants in Singapore for the discerning Japanophile
