Finding halal eateries and prayer space in this port city is such a breeze, writes Hanna Hussein
MY flight from Kuala Lumpur via AirAsia X arrives at Kansai International Airport, the international getaway to Osaka, Japan's second largest metropolitan area after Tokyo. The six and a half hour overnight flight was made so much more bearable as I could comfortably relax on my Premium Flatbed. Yes, I can actually stretch out on this spacious seat that can recline to become a full bed.
Aside from the adjustable head and foot rest, the seat features a privacy screen and also comes with a reading light and universal power port. Premium passengers are also given a plush pillow and soft duvet for maximum comfort.
It was so cosy that I dozed off immediately after my complimentary on-board meal, the oh-so-delicious Chef Hong's Korean Sweet and Spicy Dakgangjeong Chicken for supper. However, by the time I reach the airport, I am starving. So the first thing to do is find a halal breakfast!
I have no problem finding places to eat and pray when in Japan. Restaurants serving halal options are plenty and some even offer space for prayers. It's so convenient! That's why I love going to the Land of the Rising Sun again and again for a holiday.
Muslims are still a relatively small proportion of the population in Japan, where a majority of the citizens practise the Shinto and Buddha religions. Despite this, the Japanese are very open-minded when it comes to other religions; some even have a basic understanding of Islam, especially regarding its halal requirements.
WHEN IN KANSAI
There are three restaurants in Kansai Aiport offering halal options — The Udon, Oraga-Soba and Sojibo. I pick the last one, a cosy restaurant specialising in soba.
Soba, one of Japan's washoku (traditional) cuisines, is a type of noodle made of buckwheat and is served either hot or cold. Hot soba is served with soup while cold soba is served with a dipping sauce.
The breakfast menu offers set choices and ala carte with prices ranging from ¥590-¥1580 (RM25-RM65). I opt for the cold soba served with yamakake and fresh wasabi which cost me ¥850.
The set consists of cold soba served on a bamboo tray. It is accompanied by a dipping sauce and sliced spring onions, a fresh wasabi root and a grater, as well as a plate of yamakake which is a gooey white topping made of grated tororo, a type of Japanese mountain yam.
How to eat soba? You can taste the sauce and try the noodles, before putting the topping (spring onions and grated yam) on top. Then, you can dip it in the sauce. For a little bit of zing, you can grate a little wasabi on to the topping. When you have finished the noodles, you can ask for sobayu (hot water that soba noodles have simmered in) to add to the left over sauce, and sip it.
If you want something heavy, I highly recommend the tempura set. The tempura is fried golden crisp and is best enjoyed with the soba.
PLACE TO PRAY
If you have time to wander around Osaka city, do check out the mosque which is located in the central area of the city at Nishi Yodogawa-ku. To get there, the nearest subway is Chibune Station via Hanshin line.
I was expecting rain during this early summer season, but luckily the sky is bright and sunny today, and there's a wind to keep me cool. Here's a tip when travelling in Japan during this time of the year — always pack an umbrella which is not only useful when it rains but also when it is sunny.
After a leisurely 10-minute stroll from Chibune Station, I finally arrive at Osaka Masjid, a beautiful corner building painted in green. The mosque was founded in 2010 and consists of four levels.
The entrance to the male praying hall is on the left while the female's is on the right. Both are located on the second level.
Since I'm already here, I might as well head upstairs and pray. To my surprise, the ladies' prayer hall is so clean and spacious.
It can accommodate at least 50 people at once, and I'm sure the men's side is bigger. There is also an ablution hall and attached toilet.
There is an Islamic madrasah on the third floor where religious classes are organised and the fourth floor is a kitchen and dining hall. You can purchase halal cooking ingredients at the grocery shop (on the ground floor) which is probably owned by an Indonesian. The shop offers all sorts of Indonesian ingredients, including the famous Mi Sedapp.
DO-IT-YOURSELF TAKOYAKI
One of my favourite places to dine in Osaka is Matsuri, a humble eatery where you can get 100 per cent halal takoyaki. The restaurant received its halal certificate from the Islamic Centre of Japan.
Takoyaki is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made from wheat flour batter filled with tako (diced octopus), tenkasu (tempura scraps) and (negi) green onion. It is cooked in a special pan made of cast iron with half spherical moulds.
Here at Matsuri, you can opt to cook your own takoyaki or let them cook it for you. Of course I want to do it myself. So the staff provides me with a takoyaki pan set, batter mix, tako, tenkasu and negi.
First, I pour the batter mix into the pan. I then put all the ingredients in — one set (¥680) which can make 10 balls.
When the batter starts to form a half rounded ball, I use a skewer to turn the ball gently to cook the other side. It's a bit hard at first, but once it forms a fully rounded ball, it is easy to flip it. If you like your takoyaki crispy on the outside like I do, let it fry in the pan for a little longer.
Once it is cooked, you can brush it with takoyaki sauce, add mayonnaise, and sprinkle with dried bonito. Takoyaki is best eaten when hot when it is cripsy outside, and soft inside.
Kobe beef is also another must -try dish when in Japan and here at Matsuri, you can try it at a very affordable price. The Kobe beef yakiniku set meal is priced at ¥5000.
The beef is marinated and grilled with a special sauce and is really juicy and tender. It is served with rice, sauteed vegetables and miso soup.
The restaurant also has a prayer space and it offers various local items such as Japanese cookies, curry paste, sauces, and more.
SPICY KICK
Craving for a bowl of Japanese ramen while shopping at the Nanba area? Head to Ayam-ya for one of the best halal ramen in Japan.
The shop is small with limited seating. It is often crowded with Muslim tourists, but it's definitely worth the wait.
While waiting for my turn, I check out the menu at the front door. Once you are inside, you can order at the machine. The machine only accepts ¥1000 notes and coins, but if you have big notes, the staff will gladly help you get small change.
The shop serves three types of ramen — ramen served in rich chicken broth, dipping ramen (tsukemen) and dry ramen (mazemen). Its top seller is the typical ramen which you can choose from shoyu (soya sauce) or shio (salt) flavour for an extra rich and spicy taste. Price starts from ¥850 per bowl.
My favourite is the spicy tori ramen shio which is really spicy, and rich! The portion is huge but I manage to finish everything.
MUSLIM-FRIENDLY SOUVENIRS
You might want to do some shopping before heading back home. The Nanba area is one of the best places to shop where you can walk from Nanba to Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi. There are many shops along the way, including local shops selling Japanese kitchenware, beauty products, and snacks as well as international outlets such as Daiso, Uniqlo, Onitsuka Tiger, Bose and more.
If you want to buy halal and Muslim friendly souvenirs, you can go to the Laox Daimaru Shinsaibashi which offers a souvenir counter on the eighth floor. Not only that, the store also has a prayer space!
Aside from the halal souvenirs, Laox also sells branded electrical items, makeup, and more.
EXPERIENCE PREMIUM FLATBED ON AIRASIA X
FLY in comfort with the Premium Flatbed, the spacious seat that reclines to become a full flatbed when desired. It also features a privacy screen, adjustable head and foot rest, as well as pillow and duvet for maximum comfort.
Those travelling on a Premium Flatbed enjoy 40kg baggage allowance, complimentary in-flight meal and entertainment, dedicated check-in counter, and priority boarding.
Before you board, you can also chill out at the AirAsia Premium Red Lounge access in KLIA2 where you can have a light bite and drinks. I really love the cool vibe of the lounge where you can dine at the ground level and take a power nap at the comfortable bean-bag area on the top floor.
Other perks of Premium Flatbed is you get to pick a seat from any of the 12 seats in rows 1 and 2, and enjoy plenty of legroom! You will also get unlimited flight changes up to two hours before your original departure time, and four hours before your new departure time, subject to fare difference. And, when you touch down at your destination, you can get your baggage before everyone else!
AirAsia X is the first low-cost carrier in the world to introduce flatbed seats, and at reasonable prices too.
For more info visit www.airasia.com
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