Restaurant search site for food minorities

Supervisor / Recommender

Takako Doki

General Incorporated Association Japan Halal Business Association Secretariat Public Relations / Director

Click here for introduction

I am currently working as an editor. However, I experienced working as a cook in restrunts, hospitals, and catering industry. Looking back now, I was connected to the Idea of Hala, since then.
At one point, few decades ago, I worked in a cafeteria at an auction site. More than 60% of the visitors to the venue were foreigners, including many Muslims (There were mosque in the venue as well). I remember many people asked me about the food we serve, the types of meat and whether they are Hala qualified.
At a certain time, the cafeteria becomes lively like a festival. Because the Indian restaurant next door to the venue served food for free. Indian dish, such as biryani, curry and sweet drinks were served to the visitors. Over 100 foreigners dressed in red turbans, garabayas and folk costumes gathered in the cafeteria, and everyone had a great time surrounding the same table. Now I learned about Muslim culture, it was a fast-starting Iftar.
Also, I remember that many participants were only eating curry from the Indian restrunt, eventhough there were choices of other food. As I study about Halal, I learned that they did not chose to eat curry, but they did not have a choise. I personally think that they wanted to try some of the Japanese food, if they had a chose. I still regret that moment, when I could not do anything because of the lack of information. “Inconvenience” of food is quite different based on their cultural background, and therefore, I understand now, that it is crucial to create an environment where all people can enjoy delicious meal, regardless of their backgrounds.

In Japan, Halal food is still a minority. Many people from Muslim background visit Japan, but they fell enconvininet about it. Japan Halal Business Association advocates in the halal business: HAVO (Halal, Organic, Vegetarian, Allergy).
The idea is to aim to create products and services that many people can eat and use, regardless of their religion and various backgrounds.
Seeking for delicious, safe and secure meal is commonly shared through the nations. The time demand us to find new ways of living that transcend borders and religions. We hope that Halal will help eliminate food inconvenience and contribute to the harmony of the world where you can respect, coexist, and co-prosper with a more liberal idea to eating and enjoying food.

Friday special lunch menu “Mutton Biryani” w/ a lot of loyal repeating customers

Maharaja Biryani is an Indian and Pakistani restaurant located a 10-minute walk from Yoyogi Uehara Station. From Yoyogi-Uehara Station, walk towards Tokyo Camii. You can see the minaret of the mosque from the station. Then, you will find a blue door with a Pakistani flag and a curry sign.

Maharaja Biryani

Inside the store

In the stylish streets around Yoyogi, you may be surprised by the appearance of an old-retro building that suddenly appears.
In that building, there is a restaurant that serves delicious biryani and curry.

Biryani is a pilaf-like rice dish that is often eaten in the Middle East and around India, and is prepared by mixing spices, meat and fish in basmati rice.
In Islam society, it is indispensable as a hospitality dish for festivals and celebrations.

The owner of Maharaja Biryani is a Pakistani and the chef is an Indian Muslim. On Friday, many fans visit seeking delicious biryani menus, with great deal!.

Mutton Biryani ¥ 1,200

Biryani is served on a plate with a mountain-pyramid-like shape.
Biryani of this store, which is very particular about ingredients and recipe, has a colorful appearance, with fluorescent orange, white, yellow, and fried onion brown rice. The biryani ingredients are embedded in a pile of rice, such as stewed meat.

Halal mutton

When you add yogurt sauce to biryani, the spiciness and sourness combine to create an exquisite taste.
The yogurt sauce of “Maharaja Biryani” contains vegetables such as chopped cucumber and cumin seeds, and it’s delicious if you add them on biryani.

Often, Japan’s restaurant is closed on Sundays.
Friday is closed in the Islamic area, which is a special day blessed by God during the week.
Because the restaurant is located near Tokyo Camii, many muslims visit the shop on Fridays. So the holiday for the store is monday.

Additional to the regular menu, there are ladies’ lunch sets and a vegetarian menu full of vegetables as well.

Vegetarian menu

There is a mosque nearby, so please try delicious Halal meals along with experiencing Islamic culture.

Visiting Tokyo Camii and Maharaja Biryani is a one-set option for Muslims in Tokyo!

Along with visiting Maharaja Biryani, you do not want to miss visiting Tokyo Camii-Turkish Cultural Center, the largest mosque in Japan. (5-minute walk from the store)

The 1st floor is a cultural center with a Halal market and bookstore. The 2nd floor is a chapel. The arabesque pattern and stained glass on the blue domed ceiling are breathtaking.
Muslim women pray further up the spiral stairs. Depending on the mosque, there are places where only Muslims can enter, but Tokyo Camii is open for anyone to visit except for special events.

Tokyo Camii

「 Maharaja Biryani」Basic information

Store name	Maharaja Biryani
Tel	03-3468-4540
Address	4-33-11 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Business hours	11:00～15:00（L.O.14:30） 17:00～23:00（L.O.22:30）
Holiday	Monday
Budget	￥690～￥2,000
Payment method	PAYPAY
Parking Lot	N/A
Language	Japanese, English, Hindi
Advance reservation	Available
Cooking description	Halal Indian and Pakistan restaurant No Alcohol menu. All Halal certified menu.
Note	10 minutes from Yoyogi Uehara Station 5 minutes walk from Tokyo Mosque "Tokyo Camii" 21 seats
Store HP