Aaaaaand we’re back in the land of the rising sun (and raging appetites!) 😛
皆さん、こんにちは! Here’s another gem known as Sarashina from our most recent trip to Japan!
We’d actually made a pretty detailed list of places we wanted to visit while in Japan. But as it happens most of the times, you might stumble upon something expected. That’s exactly what happened as we strolled along the famous Shinkyogoku Shopping Street!
Sarashina is so unassuming that you would not guess they served Halal food within. In fact, you will most probably even miss the ‘Muslim-friendly’ sign at the entrance! (They really should make it bigger lah LOL) Well, we found some traditional and classic Japanese dishes inside. Literally oodles of noodles!
Sarashina apparently specializes in noodles! You’ll find a plethora of noodle dishes on their menu and many even have hot and cold versions. Seeing as to how it was still chilly weather outside, we (obviously) opted for a hearty and hot serving of all our dishes 😛
With any noodle dish on the menu, you can choose either Udon, Soba or the flat Kishimen noodles. All have a good bite but I guess it’s all down to preference. The flavours are savoured thanks to the light yet hearty broths that the noodles swim in.
If you’re a fan of (runny) eggs, then they have a few dishes that feature an egg soup. You’ll find them runny but definitely cooked and SEDAP! 😀
If you’re looking for something more filling, they have a few Rice dishes too by the way. There are a few options featuring egg, fish cake and chicken but I opted for the classic Oyako-donburi.
In case you’re not familiar (but I think many of you are lah!), Oyako-donburi is rice served with chicken and egg. It’s also known as ‘Mother & Child’ because of the egg-chicken combination. Seems brutal but delicious nonetheless LOL
It I had to describe Sarashina in a single word, it would be ‘simple’.
From the exterior to the decor and from the menu to the flavours. But that is not necessarily a bad thing of course. The flavours may be simple but they are pure. The food here is not complicated and if you’re not in a hurry, this is the chance to enjoy simple, traditional Japanese-style noodles.
This is different from the bold flavours and oft-complicated Ramen dishes we’d associate Japanese-style noodles with of course. It even goes as simple as just noodles with a dipping sauce ala Zaru Soba. The food here may not be to the liking of everyone. But if you’re looking for something that is.. different and uncomplicated – this may just be it.
PS Sarashina, like a lot of places in Japan, may serve alcohol on the premises. As a Muslim-friendly eatery, it’s served in bottles (not in glasses) and they reserve a special kitchen/special utensils for a Muslim-friendly experience 🙂
SARASHINA
483 Nakasujichō, Nakagyō-ku
(within Shinkyogoku Shopping Street)
Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 604-8047, Japan
Tel: +81 75 221-3064
www.shinkyogoku.or.jp/store_info/sarashina.html
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kishimen.sarashina
Operating Hours:
11.00am til 3.30pm (Lunch)
5.30pm til 10.00pm (Dinner)
CLOSED ON TUESDAYS
This meal we visit ourselves (like macam anonymous ah) and pay own money one.
All information (including prices, availability of item on menu and Halal status of establishment) are accurate at the time of posting. All photos used in this site are property of The Halal Food Blog unless stated otherwise.
