Great service during lunch time! All-you-can-eat naan and free extra rice
Rumi is a restaurant serving Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine, located a two-minute walk from JR Koenji Station.
Rumi exterior
This beautiful new restaurant opened in 2021. The name “Rumi” comes from Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi, considered the greatest mystic poet in the history of Persian literature. He is a great poet, and his works are beloved across religions, countries, and time periods.
The owner, Bolbol, is a Muslim from Iran. While there is a beverage menu, there are no dishes that use pork or pork-derived ingredients, and most of the food is halal. The chef is Indian, and you can enjoy authentic Indian curry, a signature dish of North India. The spiciness of Indian cuisine is generally mild so that everyone can enjoy it, but those who like spicy food can order it to their liking.
Bolbol owner
A great value set menu for Indian curry is available during lunchtime. This lunch set includes salad, soup, naan, and a drink. Even if you choose two curries, it’s still under 1,000 yen, making it an exceptional value even in Tokyo. It also offers all-you-can-eat naan and free extra rice, making it a truly exceptional value. You can also choose a rich and delicious mango lassi, a perfect complement to the hearty, spicy Indian curry, at no extra charge.
Lunch Curry Set
We also recommend the biryani. It comes in three varieties: lamb, chicken, and mixed vegetables. The picture shows the mutton biryani.
Mutton Biryani
The rich flavors of mint and spices complement the rich, savory taste of lamb, creating a deep and exquisite flavor. The gorgeous aroma of basmati rice fills your mouth, and the fluffy rice is filled with chunks of tender, flavorful lamb. This exquisite biryani is addictive, attracting many repeat customers. Serve with yogurt, which complements the spicy biryani perfectly.
Mutton Biryani and Soupe Joe
Lunchtime comes with a barley soup called “Soupe Joe.” The thick barley texture is comforting. While delicious on its own, authentic Iranian style is served with lime or lemon juice. Its refreshing flavor complements ethnic dishes.
You can also order some of the menu items from Bolbol, a Persian restaurant on the second floor.
Rumi shares the same owner as the Persian restaurant Bolbol, located on the second floor of the same building, so you can order some of Bolbol’s menu items at Rumi. Bolbol is a long-established restaurant celebrating its 18th year. Enjoy authentic Persian cuisine in an exotic space surrounded by Iranian antiques.
This is a dish called “Cheroo Morgo,” which is also available for lunch. “Cheroo” in the menu name refers to cooked rice, while “morgo” apparently means chicken.
Cheeroo Morgo
Chicken breast is grilled and then slowly simmered with onions, garlic, chili peppers, and tomato paste, resulting in a very tender and juicy dish. The tomato-flavored sauce, infused with meat juices, pairs perfectly with the fluffy basmati rice.
Juicy chicken
This is Kebab Khubideh, Iran’s signature kebab. The word “kebab” in the menu name means grilled meat, and “kubideh” means minced meat.
Kebab Kubideh
Unlike the Turkish doner kebab, Iranian kebabs are made from spiced minced beef or lamb grilled on a skewer. Because skewer grilling requires skill, Iranians eat kebabs at restaurants and stews and other stews at home. People in Iran love kebabs so much that there’s even a saying that a restaurant that serves delicious kebabs will never go out of business. One Iranian customer even came all the way from Shizuoka just to try this kebab kubideh.
After your meal, be sure to try the fragrant Persian chai. While chai often brings to mind images of sweet, milky Indian chai, this chai is made without lemon or milk. The Iranian way is to sip black spiced tea after popping a sugar cube in your mouth. While they typically serve sugar cubes, they also offer gorgeous saffron-infused crystal sugar, perfect for Instagram…
Persian Chai
A multipurpose space that can be used for belly dancing, concerts, and worship services
At the back of the store is a multi-purpose space with a beautiful silk Persian carpet.
Rental Space
The space is also used for dinnertime belly dance shows, concerts, seminars, Arabic language classes, and prayer services. Private rentals and reservations are also available. Please contact the store for details.
Supervisor / Recommender
- Halal Supervisor and Foreigner Food Coordinator (Cooking, Consulting, Public Relations)
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Click here for introduction
I currently work as an editor, but my previous job was as a chef, with many years of experience working in hospitals, restaurants, and the food service industry. Looking back, I think my connection to halal may have already been there.
Decades ago, I once worked in a cafeteria at an auction venue. Over 60% of the visitors were foreigners. Many Muslims were present, and the venue had a mosque-like prayer space. I remember being frequently asked questions about whether the meat was halal and what kind of meat it was. At certain times, the cafeteria would become as lively as a festival. The Indian restaurant next door would generously serve free biryani, curry, and sweet drinks to everyone who came. Over 100 people, including people wearing bright red turbans, galabeyas, and traditional attire, gathered in the cafeteria, all sitting around the same table and enjoying a truly enjoyable time. Looking back, it was iftar, the end of fasting, and I understand the significance of sharing, but at the time I was ignorant of halal and Islam, and didn't even consider how to respond. They only ate the curry made by the Indians in the restaurant. As I studied halal, I realized, "I wanted to eat Japanese food, but I couldn't." I regret not doing anything even though there was something I could have done.
If only it didn't contain pork! If only it didn't contain wheat or buckwheat! I could eat it... Food insecurity is different for each person.
That's why I think it's important to learn about the differences in culture, religion, and lifestyle that underlie it, and to create an environment where everyone can enjoy delicious meals in comfort.
The desire for delicious, safe, and secure food is universal. The times are calling for people to live in new ways that transcend borders and religions. I hope that halal can be a gateway to eliminating food insecurity, contributing even in some small way to a society where people can coexist and prosper with more liberal thinking, and to global harmony beyond.
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