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.

All-you-can-eat lunch w/ three types of curry for only 1,000 yen!

New Hot Masala is a Pakistani Indian restaurant located in Soka City, Saitama Prefecture. The shop is near the intersection of the Kakinoki water purification plant. The roof with the Pakistan flag is a landmark.

All-you-can-eat curry lunch buffet, only for 1,000 yen!
It comes with 3 kinds of curry (Changes daily), rice, naan, salad and dessert.

3 kinds of daily-curry

Curry lunch buffet from 1,000 yen

For those who want to enjoy the taste of authentic Pakistan recipe, not only an all-you-can-eat menu but there are also three types of lunch menus such as Nihari, Paya, and Biryani that daily changes its flavor.
There is also a children’s set (800 yen) that is not spicy, so many enjoy lunch with families on the weekends.

Paya

You can also take home(to-go) the New Hot Masala. Lunch boxes are also sold at event venues, so you can order large quantities of ~100 meals or more.

Complete Halal menu! Enjoy authentic Pakistani flavors, such as Biryani, Nihari and Karahi

The owner, RANA-san, is a Muslim from Pakistan. When RANA-san first visited Japan, more than 20 years ago, there was no Pakistani restaurant in Saitama.

Although Pakistan has a curry culture like India, even though there is an Indian curry shop, there is no restaurant that has the name Pakistan. So RANA-san decided to introduce delicious homemade Pakisatani food to Japanese people. Then, she opened a restaurant in 2009.

Since RANA-san was loyal to her religion, the only menu served in the restaurant is Halal and no alcohol is provided.
And, all chefs are Indian and Pakistani Muslims.
Since it is located between Yashio and Gamo, where the mosque is located, many Muslim customers visit after praying on group every Fridays.

Inside the store

The Pakistani foods served at the restaurant have authentic tastes. It is unique because they are not adjusted to Japanese tastes.

The deliciousness spreads through word of mouth, and it seems that there are many fans in Tokyo who come by train to visit the restaurant, even though it is located in an inconvenient place, far from the station.

RANA-san said that Pakistan people have strong affection for meat. So the menu of the restaurant is centered on meat, which is different from Indian restaurants.

“Nihari” of soup with stewed lamb, “harem” dish cooked for a long time while crushing with a stick until the fibers of the meat are thawed.

The secret of the deliciousness came from the traditional dishes made by the chefs from Pakistan.
At parties, dynamic roasted sheep, with rice and vegetables stuffed on the abdomen, is popular.
Roasted sheep made in a large pot is full of volume! It seems that the serving is for 30 people.

Roasted sheep

No liquor is served in the restaurant, since RANA-san values religion the most.
It is a strict traditional restaurant and even embassy officials often visit New Hot Masala.

Although some of our customers are dissatisfied with the lack of a liquor menu, many Muslims praised RANA-san’s straightforward attitude toward religion.

RANA-san is also the president of the Pakistani and Muslim communities.
There is also a space for prayer, next to the shop. This is one of the best place to learn about Muslim culture and Islamic teachings, while tasting delicious Pakistani food.

「 New Hot Masala」Basic information

Store name	New Hot Masala
Tel	048-971-7161
Address	241-1 Kakigicho, Soka City, Saitama
Business hours	Lunch 11:00～15:00 Dinner 17:00～23:00（L.O 22:00）
Holiday	N/A
Budget	￥1,500～￥2,500
Payment method	Cash only
Parking Lot	30 parking spots
Language	English, Urdu, Nepal, Bengal
Advance reservation	Available
Cooking description	Indian and Pakistani complete halal restaurants There is no alcohol menu. Prayer space available.
Note	52 seats. Can be reserved for more than 30 people The nearest is Koshigaya Lake Town Station on the JR Musashino Line, Nitta Station on the Eastern Sky Tree Line
Store HP