"Oh, this is chicken, itĀ mustĀ be Halal then!". If you're from Muslim-majority countries like IndonesiaĀ or Malaysia, where Halal food is readily available, you may expect to avoid pork and alcohol only in Japan. But hereās the shocking truth:
Why Isnāt the Meat Halal?
The main reasonĀ is how the animals are slaughtered. For meat to be Halal, it must be a Halal animal and processed according to Islamic law, which involves specific prayers and humane methods.
In Japan, this is VERYĀ RARE!Ā Even though it might not be pork, if it's not prepared in a Halal way, itās still haram (not allowed).
What To Do When You're Shopping?
1.Ā Check Ingredient Labels
Many convenienceĀ stores (konbini) foods and popular souvenir snacks may contain haram ingredients like animal fats or liquor. Always check the labels carefully (see how to check ingredients label).
Halal apps that scan products can be helpful. But keep in mind that some items might have cross-contaminationĀ during processing or doubtful ingredients (e.g. emulsifiers). In such cases, you should contact the manufacturer.
2. Shop at Halal or Muslim-Friendly Stores
Even better, why not visitĀ a dedicated Halal or Muslim-friendly store?! Like JAPANeid OsakaĀ which sellsĀ Halal-certified food products and Muslim-friendly ones that have already been checked (see JAPANeid's Muslim-friendly policy).Ā
Oh, wait!Ā Do you still want Halal meat? Don't lose hope!
How about this Halal-certified Instant Ramen made from Halal-slaughtered Japanese chicken?!!
(the chicken used is from probably the only Halal slaughterhouse in Japan)
