Halal Food in Okinawa: What You Need to Know
If you're a Muslim traveller planning a trip to Okinawa, one of your first questions might be: Is it easy to find halal food there? The short answer — it’s possible, but unfortunately, not as convenient as in Tokyo or Osaka. Still, with a bit of planning and some insider tips, you can enjoy your trip without worrying too much about where to eat.
1. Muslim-Friendly Restaurants Are Limited — But They Do Exist
Okinawa doesn't have a wide range of halal-certified restaurants, but Muslim-friendly restaurants offering seafood or vegetarian meals are available upon request. While it may require a bit of searching, these options can still provide you with tasty meals that align with halal dietary needs. Be sure to check out the list of Muslim-friendly spots at the bottom of the article for more details.
Tip: Always double-check certifications or ask the staff when you arrive, just to be sure. You can also refer to the Japan Halal Foundation or Halal Gourmet Japan to verify updated halal listings.
2. Convenience Stores and Supermarkets Are Your Best Friend
One of the easiest ways to ensure your meals are halal is by scanning product ingredients using halal checker apps or sticking to whole foods like rice, vegetables, eggs, and seafood — all of which are widely available in stores. I personally prefer cooking my own meals, as it gives me full control over what I'm eating.
While most convenience store items aren’t halal-certified, you can look out for vegetarian or seafood-based options. Some onigiri (rice balls) are made with ume (pickled plum), kombu (seaweed), or plain tuna with mayo — but always read the labels carefully. Avoid anything with ingredients like 肉 (meat) or 豚 (pork).
3. Look for Seafood and Vegetarian Restaurants
Okinawa is famous for its seafood, and many restaurants offer fresh fish and vegetarian dishes, which can be great options for Muslim travelers. While they may not be halal-certified, you can often request a meal without pork, alcohol, or lard. Learning a few basic Japanese phrases can help you ask about ingredients to ensure your meal meets your dietary needs.
A simple phrase like “Buta niku haitteimasu ka?” (Does this contain pork?) can go a long way in helping you make informed decisions when dining out.
4. Explore Halal-Friendly Meal Options via Apps
If you're looking to explore halal-friendly meal options while in Okinawa, apps like HappyCow and Halal Navi are great tools to help you find Muslim-friendly restaurants. These apps provide helpful listings of places that either serve halal food or are known to cater to Muslim dietary needs. However, it’s important to note that the listings on these apps may not always be 100% accurate, so I recommend using them as a starting point rather than a guarantee.
Another useful tip is to search on Google Maps using the Japanese term "ハラール" (harāru), which is the equivalent of "halal." This will often lead you to more local and lesser-known spots that might not appear with just an English search. Once you find a potential place, check out the reviews on Google to get an idea of what the restaurant offers, and see if the menu contains any items that don’t align with your dietary restrictions. For example, if the menu has pork, I typically avoid that place altogether. While not all the listings might be perfect, these apps and methods can give you a solid starting point for discovering new halal-friendly options during your trip.
5. One Thing to Avoid — Bringing Your Own Food
One thing I would advise against is bringing your own food items from home, especially if they contain banned items. When I arrived in Okinawa, the immigration confiscated my Kembara Meals that had beef and lamb in them, so it’s best to avoid that hassle. Interestingly, chicken was allowed, but the beef and lamb were taken away. It’s worth noting that the restrictions can change frequently, so it’s always a good idea to double-check the latest guidelines before you depart. For a smoother experience, I recommend sticking to local options and avoiding the risk of having your meals confiscated.
Muslim-Friendly Food Listings in Okinawa
Here’s a short list of places that Muslim travellers can consider for Muslim-friendly food in Okinawa. However, it’s important to note that halal status can change, so it’s always best to verify with the restaurant directly before dining. Be sure to check for up-to-date certification or, if unsure, speak to the staff to confirm whether the food meets your dietary requirements.
Credits: HaveHalalWillTravel / Halal In Japan / Paulonia Tokyo
Naha & Immediate Areas
Burger Revolution Naha
Cuisine: Western
Address: 2 Chome-1-1 Tomari, Naha, Okinawa 900-0012, Japan
Contact: +81 98-867-7201
Note: Halal certified menu available (Beef)Okashi Goten
Cuisine: Sweets, Souvenirs
Address: 2nd Flr., 5-2 1chome, Matsuo, Naha, Okinawa
Contact: 098-862-0334Pacific Hotel Naha
Cuisine: Western (Beef Steak Course)
Address: 1-6-3, Nishi, Naha city, Okinawa
Contact: 098-869-3433
Reservation: Required 2 weeks in advanceSuimui
Cuisine: Okinawan Local Cuisine
Address: 2-1 Kinjo cho, Shuri, Naha, Okinawa
Contact: 098-886-2020
Note: Muslim-friendly menu availableTubarama
Cuisine: Okinawan Local Cuisine
Address: 25-7-2 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa
Contact: 098-862-3124
Note: Reservation mandatoryUkishima Garden
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Address: 3-12-2 Matsuo, Naha, Okinawa
Contact: 098-943-2100Suitenrou
Cuisine: Okinawan Cuisine (Halal options with prior reservation)
Address: 1-3-60 Makishi, Naha, Okinawa
Contact: 098-863-4091
Note: Halal-certified meals available upon request. Reservations are recommended at least a week in advance.
Other Areas
Hotel Yugafuin Okinawa (Nago)
Cuisine: Japanese
Address: 1-453 Miayasato, Nago, Okinawa
Contact: 0980-53-0031
Note: Halal-certified food served with separate kitchen utensils and halal buffet options. Reservation required at least 3 days in advance.Kabab’s
Cuisine: Kebab (Indian)
Address: 2nd Flr., 3-1-10 Mihama, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa
Contact: 098-936-9998
Note: Uses halal ingredients in all dishes. Alcoholic beverages are served here as well, so dine at your discretion.Krishna
Cuisine: Indian
Address: 3rd Flr., Plaza House Fair Mall, 12-1-3 Kubota, Okinawa
Contact: 098-931-0885Kerebekki
Cuisine: Turkish
Address: 2-558 Onaga, Nishihara, Nakagami District, Okinawa
Contact: 098-944-4747Red Lobster
Cuisine: Seafood
Address: 10-8 Mihama, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa
Contact: Not specifiedJICA OIC Dining (Urasoe)
Cuisine: International
Address: 1-1143 Maeda, Urasoe, Okinawa
Contact: 098-876-6000Ryukyumura (Kunigami District)
Cuisine: Okinawan Local Cuisine
Address: Ryukyu Village, 1130, Aza Yamada, Onnason, Okinawa
Contact: 098-965-1234
Vegetarian and Muslim-Friendly Options
Ukishima Garden (Nago)
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Address: 1-1-7 Ohigashi, Nago-shi, Okinawa
Contact: 0980-54-4598Suimui (Shuri, Naha)
Cuisine: Plant-based Japanese dishes
Address: 1-2 Kinjo-cho, Shuri, Naha, Okinawa
Contact: 098-886-2020Cafe Choukrane (Itoman)
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Address: 972－2 Itoman, Itoman-shi, Okinawa
Contact: 098-994-8005
Other Halal Dining Locations in Okinawa
Sabaroll: A Turkish-style fish roll restaurant located in Naha.
Address: 1-17-1, Izumizaki, Naha
Halal Status: Serves fish rolls only, no pork. Alcoholic beverages are available.Donburi Nanto-ya: Located at Naha Airport, serving Japanese cuisine with halal options.
Address: Naha International Airport Connection Terminal 4F
Contact: 098-852-0716
Final Thoughts
Okinawa might not be the easiest destination in Japan for halal food, but it’s definitely manageable if you plan ahead. What makes up for the limited halal options is the island’s laid-back vibe, stunning beaches, and the warmth of the people — many of whom will go out of their way to accommodate your needs, even if they don’t fully understand what halal means.
If you’re looking for a slow, scenic holiday with a bit of adventure and self-catering freedom, Okinawa might just surprise you — the same way it did for me.
