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TORKARI KOENJI
Supervisor / Recommender
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.
Bangladesh restaurant located inside the exotic Daiichi ichiba in Koenji with unique alternative atomospehre
Torkari is a restaurant that opened in 2019 and specializes in Bangladesh home cooking. Although it can be a little tricky to find this restaurant in the back alley, it is located inside the Daiichi ichiba just outside the North exit of Koenji station, which is a very old indoor marketplace built more than 40 years ago. There used to be grocery and dried food stores back then, it is currently a home to around 10 unique exotic shops and restaurants offering a variety of food such as Vietnamese, Korean, curry and so on.
Daiichi market
Daiichi ichiba is well known among foodies as a hidden gem, recognized as a place with atmosphere of “lively Asian stalls” that you can enjoy a variety of world cuisine and Torkari is one of the popular restaurants.
Torkari Koenji
Must-try dishes are the signature bhorta which means “mashed” in Bengali and bhaji is a stir-fried dish. These dishes are stable diet in Bengal area. Torkari has a lunch special with these dishes.
【Bhorta bhaji set（lunch)】
Bhorta & Bhaji set ￥1,050
This signature Bangladesh homemade meal is served with mashed and stir-fried side dishes decorated around rice and a bean soup. It is the mustard oil that gives such a flagrant flavor, making this spicy and salty dish a perfect match with rice. Vegetarian side dishes such as potatos and eggplants are also tasty.
95% of the customers are Japanese! Beautiful halal homemade cooking made by Muslim chefs from Bengal area.
Torkari means “curry” in Bengali. The owner who loves curry started this restaurant with the feeling “I want to create a restaurant where Muslim people can feel comfortable” and “I want to provide authentic homemade meals made by my staff and chefs from Bangladesh and West Bengal province.” Chefs at Torkari are Muslims from Bangladesh and Bengal and all the dishes are halal-friendly, nut-free, and additive-free. We don’t serve alcohol at this stage. We offer a wide variety of fragrant dishes made with freshly grounded authentic spices. Here are some recommended items at Torkari Koenji.
【Chef’s special MOJA（lunch)】
Chef’s special MOJA ￥1,550
This satisfying meal set comes with biriyani (stir-fried rice), khichuri (beans and rice), bhorta (mashed), bhaji (stir-fried), salad, curry, soup, drink, and dessert. Moja means delicious in Bengali. It is literally a plate filled with best of Bengali delicious dishes, you can’t go wrong with this dish if you can’t decide what to order.
【Special of the day】
Special of the day set ￥900
This “special of the day” is recommend by the chefs. They had chiken curry and khichuri on the day I i was there for an interview. Khichuri is a rice dish with mild flavour cooked with beans and basmati rice from Bengal area. It is served with curry in a Bengali style.
【Biriyani meal set (lunch)】
Shrimp biriyani lunch set ￥1,350
Chicken and mutton are the popular choices for Biriyani meal set, and they also offer a “special of the day” dishes such as shrimp. This meal set comes with dessert and drink. Biriyani is a traditional dish prepared for celebrations such as weddings in Muslim culture, considered as a special auspicious dish. Torkari tries to provide dishes as authentic as possible, so it may be a little spicy for Japanese people but it can be very addictive!
【Tandoori dishes】
Tandoori kebab & chicken
Juicy tandoori chicken and kebab are available for dinner.
【Bento lunch box】
Bento lunch box
All items are available for take-out. There is a bento box with the combination of popular Biriyani, curry bhorta, and bhaji.
【Dessert】
Hand Made Payesh (Bengali Rice Pudding)
Bangladesh traditional milky dessert.
【Non-alcoholic beer】
Rare Dubai-made non-alcoholic beer “Barbican” is available.
Barbican Apple
Torkari is a hidden exotic restaurant well known for foodies. Although it is alcohol-free and halal-friendly restaurant, most customers are non-muslims and come through a word of mouth for highly reputable food. Please come by and try their authentic and delightful food.
Takeaway / Delivery Service
All items on the menu are available for take-out. We take phone/FAX orders and you can pick up your orders at the restaurant.
All items on the menu are available for take-out. We take phone/FAX orders and you can pick up your orders at the restaurant.
「 TORKARI KOENJI」Basic information
| Store name | TORKARI KOENJI |
|---|---|
| Tel | 03-6383-0339 |
| Address | 3-22-8 Koenjikita, Suginami-ku, Tokyo (Inside Daiichi ichiba) |
| Business hours | 【Lunch】11:00〜15:00 |
| Holiday | Wednesday |
| Budget | 【Lunch】1,000円～2,000円【Dinner】2,000円～3,000円 |
| Payment method | PAYPAY |
| Parking Lot | N/A |
| Language | Bengali, English, and Hindu |
| Advance reservation | |
| Cooking description | Bangladesh homemade cooking with Halal ingredients |
| Note | 2mins from North exit of Koenji station |
| Store HP |   |
