Halal Food

Halal Motsu Nabe in Fukuoka: A Complete Guide for Muslim Travelers

Most guides to halal food in Japan point you toward halal ramen or curry. That’s fine — but if you’re in Fukuoka and you’re skipping motsu nabe because you assumed it wasn’t an option, you’re missing the city’s most beloved dish for no reason.

Motsu nabe — a richly flavored hotpot made with beef offal, cabbage, and leek — is Fukuoka’s soul food. And since 2018, one restaurant has been serving a fully halal-certified version, certified by Fukuoka Masjid. This guide tells you exactly where to go, what to order, and what to expect.

What Is Motsu Nabe?

Motsu nabe (もつ鍋) is a hot pot dish that originated in Fukuoka after World War II. “Motsu” means offal — specifically the intestines and stomach of beef or pork — and “nabe” means hot pot. At its core it’s a communal dish: a clay pot of seasoned broth arrives at your table on a burner, you cook the ingredients in it together, and you finish by adding champon noodles or rice to absorb the leftover broth.

The flavor depends heavily on the broth. The two classic styles are soy-based (shoyu) and miso-based (with or without chili). Both are deep, savory, and faintly sweet from the collagen in the beef.

The reason most motsu nabe is off-limits for Muslim travelers isn’t the beef itself — it’s the broth. Traditional recipes use pork offal, and many add sake or mirin (rice wine) to the broth. The halal version at Kiwamiya uses 100% wagyu beef offal, halal-certified seasonings, and no alcohol anywhere in the preparation.

Halal Status: What’s Actually Certified

Where to Go: Kiwamiya

There is currently one restaurant group in Fukuoka serving halal-certified motsu nabe: Kiwamiya (極味や). They have two relevant branches. The Nishijin location is where halal motsu nabe was first introduced; the Akasaka branch is a dedicated motsu nabe restaurant that also serves halal options.

What to Order

• Halal Motsu Nabe — Kombu & Flying Fish Broth
  From ¥2,560 (for 2 people)
  The original. The broth is made from Hokkaido kombu kelp and whole grilled flying fish from Nagasaki — both are regional ingredients rarely found outside Kyushu. The beef offal is halal-certified wagyu. Order this if you want to taste what Fukuoka locals have been eating for decades, just without the pork.
• Halal Motsu Nabe — Chili Miso Broth
  From ¥2,560 (for 2 people)
  Spicier, with a deeper fermented flavor. Good if you prefer bold, rich broths over delicate ones. The chili adds heat but doesn’t overpower the beef. Both broth styles are halal-certified.
• Champon Noodles (締め / Shime)
  Additional charge
  After you’ve eaten most of the offal and vegetables, ask the server to add champon noodles to the remaining broth. This is called “shime” (締め) — the finish. The noodles absorb the collagen-rich broth and are the best part of the meal for many regulars. Don’t skip it.
• Halal Wagyu Steak (Nishijin branch only)
  From ¥1,580
  Domestic black wagyu, served medium-rare on a hot stone. Halal-certified. A good addition if you’re at the Nishijin branch and want to try something beyond the hotpot.

Practical Tips for Muslim Travelers

• 1
  Call ahead or reserve online The halal menu is available at both branches, but calling ahead (or booking online for Nishijin) ensures the halal setup is ready when you arrive. The phone number for Nishijin is +81-92-845-4129; for Akasaka, 092-761-2929.
• 2
  Prayer room nearest to Nishijin branch Fukuoka Masjid (the mosque that certified this restaurant) is located in Sawara-ku. Use the Muslim Pro app or Google Maps to find the nearest prayer space and check Qibla direction.
• 3
  Say “halal menu o kudasai” when you arrive Even if the staff expects you, saying 「ハラールメニューをください」(halal menu o kudasai) — “please give me the halal menu” — will trigger the correct ordering flow. Most staff at Kiwamiya are accustomed to this request.
• 4
  Non-halal items are on the same menu The restaurant is not a dedicated halal establishment — other tables may be ordering non-halal dishes. This is standard in Japanese halal restaurants. The halal certification applies to your dishes and the utensils used to prepare them.
• 5
  Getting to Nishijin from the airport From Fukuoka Airport, take the Fukuoka City Subway Airport Line (空港線) toward Meinohama. Get off at Nishijin Station (西新駅, 4 stops, about 10 minutes). Exit from Exit 4. The restaurant is on the 3rd floor of the building 2 minutes walk away.

Frequently Asked Questions