SALMAN & SOHEL HALAL KITCHEN

We visited this restaurant to celebrate my wife’s birthday, based on a recommendation from our oldest son. It’s an authentic Halal restaurant, and most of the customers were international. The staff didn’t speak Japanese, which made communication a bit difficult. Even during ordering, some of the dishes marked as “recommended” on the menu weren’t actually available—it all had a very international vibe. The food itself was decent, but the rice was quite different from what we’re used to in Japan. Personally, it made me feel like I wanted to hurry back home to Japanese-style meals. That said, both my wife and oldest son said it was delicious, so I guess it was objectively good. My younger son had curry, and he said it tasted just fine. This experience reminded me that traveling—or eating like you’re abroad—can be harder than it seems.

I first spotted Salman & Sohel Halal Kitchen on Google Maps while hunting for a good halal lunch spot in Kyoto. On 12 Aug 2025, I decided to check it out after a stroll at Kyoto Imperial Palace. It’s only a short walk away — and when I got there, the place was buzzing. Almost every table was taken, and I was lucky to grab the last one. It took a while before the lady waitress brought me the menu and took my order, but one of the other staff came over to apologise for the wait, which I really appreciated. You could tell they were busy, but still cared about making things right. A bit about the place — it’s run by Chef S. Sohel Ali, a master chef who’s worked in 5-star hotel kitchens across India, Singapore, Dubai, London, and Japan. The menu is a mix of Indian, Persian, Turkish, and Arabic halal-certified dishes — proper comfort food for anyone craving rich, spiced flavours. I went for the Mutton Biryani (¥2,035), Fish Curry (¥1,639), and a Mango Lassi (¥605). The set came with complimentary salad and soup — a nice little bonus. The Mutton Biryani stole the show. Fluffy basmati rice, that gorgeous saffron aroma, tender mutton that just melted in the mouth, and a generous portion that could feed a small army. Topped with fried onions and coriander for extra texture — it was the kind of dish you don’t want to end. The Fish Curry was rich and creamy, with just enough spice to keep things interesting. The fish was perfectly cooked — firm but tender — and the sauce was so good I mixed it into my biryani rice. The Mango Lassi? Sweet, creamy, and ice-cold — the perfect way to wrap up a hearty meal. The salad was fresh with a light creamy dressing, and the soup had a warm, tomato-based flavour that made for a nice starter. It’s not just me who enjoyed it — plenty of other customers rave about this place. People call it “the best naan in Kyoto”, praise the Ramadan Iftar Set for its variety and generosity, and love the little touches like charging cables at every table. The portions? Big. The flavours? Authentic. Total spent: ¥4,279 (tax included) — and worth every yen. If you’re in Kyoto and craving proper South Asian and Middle Eastern halal food, this is a spot worth seeking out. Just maybe come a little early — it fills up fast!

We found a nice halal restaurant that serves authentic Indian food. Since it’s Ramadan, we ordered the Ramadan Iftar Set. It came complete with dates, fruits, pakora, Rooh Afzah, 2 curries with naan, chicken tikka and seekh kabab. We also ordered an extra cheese naan which was also amazing. After the meal, they served us mango lassi which was so refreshing. The staff are very friendly, the place was small but clean and well organized. And the best thing was the retaurant had a mosque just next door. We will be back for sure whenever we visit Kyoto. My family and I highly recommend this place to all our muslim brothers and sisters, and to those who want a taste of Indian cuisine.

WOW! The reviews aren’t lying. There weren’t many restaurant options around our hotel that were open so we happened upon this little spot. The staff were so friendly and welcoming, the aroma walking in was already a good sign. We got seated immediately. We had butter chicken, cheese garlic naan, mutton korma and eggplant kebab set. By far the best naan I’ve ever had in my life. 🤤 Highly recommend!