How to Answer Questions from Muslim Customers: What to Tell Them About Pork, Alcohol, and Cooking Utensils

Explain what you use when answering questions about halal

Muslim customers may ask about what goes into your food. Does it contain pork? Do you use mirin (みりん)? Do you keep the frying oil separate? What people ask varies from person to person.

In a December 2023 survey of 224 Muslims included in the Japan Tourism Agency’s guide, 73% said that for pork and processed pork products they “always check, and will not eat it if they cannot confirm.”

For customers who need to check something, your answers help them decide whether to eat the food.

The Japan Tourism Agency’s “Hospitality Guide for Vegetarian, Vegan, and Muslim Travelers” says that interpretations and practices of Islamic teachings vary by denomination, country or region, culture, and individual. It recommends explaining what your restaurant can and cannot do, and leaving Muslims to decide for themselves what to eat. Fukuoka Prefecture’s Muslim-friendly handbook also says it is important to provide accurate information that helps Muslims make their own choices.

Your restaurant’s role is to explain the facts about what you do and do not use, rather than make a judgment about whether something is halal. This article covers points to keep in mind and example answers from the Japan Tourism Agency’s guide, organized by what customers may want to check. All sources were checked on September 28, 2026.

When asked, “Is it halal?”

Sometimes a customer will simply ask, “Is it halal?” (ハラルですか).

Simply saying “It’s halal” does not tell customers how much your restaurant has checked. What people consider halal varies, so explaining the details separately causes less misunderstanding than giving a single broad answer. We explain the reasons in What Is Halal? It Means “Permitted”: The Basics of Halal Food.

When explaining what a restaurant provides for Muslim customers, the Japan Tourism Agency’s guide says that specifying what you actually do matters more than whether your approach is strict. When asked “Is it halal?”, explain both what you use and what you do not. For example: “We do not use pork or pork-derived ingredients. We do use mirin and cooking sake (料理酒).”

You can explain the facts even without certification. The guide’s Q&A says certification can help reassure customers, but whether they require it varies from person to person, and it is not essential. We cover certification costs and ways to serve Muslim customers without certification in How Much Does Halal Certification Cost? A Breakdown, and Ways to Serve Muslim Customers Without It.

A certifying organization takes a similar view. On its restaurant certification information page, the Japan Halal Association (JHA) says restaurants can disclose information about their ingredients and seasonings and let customers choose, as an alternative to certification. It explains that disclosure may be sufficient at restaurants where staff can speak directly with customers, and is particularly effective for independent restaurants. It also says that larger restaurants and chains may find it difficult to explain things to each customer, making certification that shows halal status at a glance useful. The most suitable approach depends on the restaurant’s size.

For customers’ views, Food Diversity.today, a media outlet covering halal information, interviewed several Muslims who had visited Japan in the article “Muslim Travelers Explain: What Is the Decisive Difference Between ‘Restaurants They Choose’ and ‘Restaurants They Want to Avoid’?”. A woman from Indonesia says a restaurant told her it could not serve her because it lacked halal certification, although she did not require that much. She also says she appreciates suggestions along the lines of, “We cannot do this, but we can do that.”

This site has a companion article for customers, “Is It Halal?” Is Not Enough: How to Ask When Checking at a Restaurant, covering how to ask questions alongside this article’s guidance on answering them.

When asked about pork

Include pork-derived ingredients as well as pork itself

When asked about pork, explain whether you use pork itself and whether you use ingredients made from pigs.

The Japan Tourism Agency guide’s Q&A says that pork organs and skin, pork-derived products, and pork-derived seasonings must all be excluded along with pork itself. It lists emulsifiers (乳化剤), shortening (ショートニング), lard (ラード), and gelatin (ゼラチン). The guide’s Reference Volume recommends avoiding processed foods and seasonings whose ingredient lists say “pork” (豚) or “pork-derived” (豚由来), and checking the origin with the manufacturer when ingredients such as emulsifiers are listed. It says Western-style cakes and sweets may also contain pork-derived emulsifiers, shortening, gelatin, or collagen.

Reviewing the ingredient lists of the processed foods you buy will make questions easier to answer. We explain how additive origins are indicated in Are Emulsifiers and Gelatin Halal? What the “Origin” (由来) Wording on Ingredient Lists Tells You.

Include the frying oil in your answer

If your restaurant serves fried food, customers may ask about the frying oil. The Reference Volume says to avoid cooking in oil previously used to fry pork or foods containing pork-derived ingredients. If you fry vegetable tempura in the same oil as tonkatsu, tell customers, even though the tempura itself contains no pork.

Example answers about pork

The Reference Volume’s collection of example phrases includes the following. English versions are provided too, so you can use them as written.

• The non-pork dishes do not use pork itself or ingredients whose labels indicate pork or pork-derived ingredients. (Japanese: ノンポークの料理には豚肉そのものや、原材料表示に豚や豚由来の記載のある材料は使っていません. The guide’s English: “The non-pork dishes do not contain any pork or pork related ingredients.”)
• None of the dishes served at this restaurant use pork itself or ingredients whose labels indicate pork or pork-derived ingredients. (Japanese: 店舗のすべての料理において、豚肉そのものや原材料に豚や豚由来の記載のある食材を使っていません. The guide’s English: “All the dishes are non-pork, and do not contain any pork or pork-related ingredients.”)

Choose a phrase that matches what your restaurant actually does. Use the first if it applies only to some dishes, and the second if it applies to every dish.

For English wording about halal, certification, and non-alcohol, see Halal Is “Halal” in English: How to Say Certification, Dishes, and Non-Pork in English.

When asked about alcohol

Cooking sake and mirin also count as alcohol

When asked about alcohol, include alcohol used in cooking in your answer, as well as alcoholic drinks.

The Reference Volume describes a non-alcohol approach as preparing food without any of the following: sparkling alcoholic beverages such as beer; fermented alcoholic beverages such as sake; distilled spirits such as whisky; or mixed alcoholic beverages such as liqueurs and mirin. It draws attention to mirin’s classification as a mixed alcoholic beverage. Its examples of dishes using alcohol are nikujaga, a meat and potato stew (mirin); brandy cake (brandy); and sake-steamed clams (Japanese sake).

It also mentions restaurants that create the same flavor using sugar, honey, apple juice, or similar ingredients instead of mirin.

Some people also care about alcohol in soy sauce and mentsuyu

Soy sauce is not an alcoholic beverage, but the Reference Volume says some people are concerned about alcohol added to foods such as soy sauce rice crackers or soy sauce ramen. It also lists mentsuyu, a noodle soup base, as an example of a product with added alcohol.

As for certifiers’ standards, the Japan Halal Association’s guidelines for restaurants (2017 edition) prohibit soy sauce and miso with added alcohol, while saying that alcohol produced during brewing is not an issue.

People differ on whether to avoid even trace amounts of alcohol in seasonings. Rather than deciding for them, say, “Alcohol is listed among this soy sauce’s ingredients,” and let customers choose. We cover which seasonings are more likely to contain alcohol in Are Soy Sauce, Mirin, Miso, and Vinegar Halal? Checking the Ingredients of Japanese Seasonings for Alcohol.

Customers may also ask whether you serve alcoholic drinks

Apart from the food, some people care about whether a restaurant serves alcoholic drinks. The Reference Volume says some Muslims want to eat at restaurants that do not handle alcoholic drinks. If your restaurant does not, it recommends making this known at the entrance and on your website.

Example answers about alcohol

• The non-alcohol dishes do not use alcohol such as cooking sake or mirin. (Japanese: ノンアルコールの料理には料理酒やみりんなどのアルコールを使っていません. The guide’s English: “The non-alcohol dishes do not contain or use any cooking sake (alcohol) or sweet cooking rice wine.”)
• We do not handle alcoholic drinks. (Japanese: アルコール飲料を取り扱っていません. The guide’s English: “We do not sell alcoholic beverages.”)

For restaurants that serve alcohol, there is also a phrase explaining that alcoholic drinks are served but managed separately from food.

When asked about meat and seafood

Explain how the beef or chicken was processed

When asked about meat other than pork, explain whether it is halal meat. The guide’s Q&A says beef and chicken are acceptable if slaughtered in the Islamic way, and can be bought at wholesale supermarkets and similar stores. The Reference Volume says meat from Brazil and Australia is often halal, so if you already use it, check whether it has a halal label. It also says halal chicken and beef are available from Japanese producers.

Even if meat has a halal label, how its certifying organization is treated overseas varies by organization. Be ready to identify the certifier if asked. We examine recognition of certification in Is Japanese Halal Certification Recognized in Malaysia and Indonesia? Checking Those Countries’ Official Lists.

If you do not use halal meat, explain that as well. The Reference Volume recommends stating whether halal meat is used when identifying dishes that do not use pork. Not using pork and whether other meat is halal are separate questions.

Here is an example phrase for when you use halal meat.

• We use XX with a halal label. (Japanese: ハラール表示のあるXXを使用しています. The guide’s English: “We use XX with a Halal label or certification.”)

Replace XX with what you actually use, such as beef or soy sauce.

Describe the actual ingredients in seafood and vegetable dishes too

The Reference Volume says unprocessed raw fish, vegetables, and fruit are considered halal ingredients. It also says some Muslims avoid shrimp, shellfish, or similar foods. The Japan Halal Association’s guidelines also allow all fresh seafood and crustaceans. What certification standards allow and what individuals avoid are not necessarily the same.

When asked about a seafood dish, include whether it contains shrimp or shellfish. Be ready to explain what you use in your dashi stock as well.

When asked about equipment and spaces

Explain accurately whether you use dedicated equipment and spaces

Some people also care about whether cooking utensils and tableware are kept separate. Summarizing its survey, the Reference Volume says about 40% of respondents felt uncomfortable unless cooking utensils, tableware, cooking areas, and storage areas were dedicated to their needs, while the remaining roughly 60% tended to accept shared use to varying degrees.

The guide’s Q&A says dedicated equipment is preferable, but customers’ judgments differ. It says it is important to do what you can and state what you do. If you do not keep utensils separate, describe your actual practice, for example: “We do not use separate cooking utensils, but we wash them after each use.”

Example answers about equipment and spaces

Here are examples about cooking utensils, tableware, and spaces from the Reference Volume’s phrase collection. Replace XX with the dishes concerned, such as non-pork dishes.

• We can provide disposable cutlery and similar items on request. (Japanese: 希望されるお客様には、使い捨てのカトラリー等をご用意いたします. The guide’s English: “Disposable spoon and fork are available upon request.”)
• We use dedicated cooking utensils to prepare dishes labeled XX. (Japanese: XX表示のある料理の調理には専用の調理器具を使用しています. The guide’s English: “Separated cookware is used exclusively for the preparation of XX.”)
• Ingredients for dishes labeled XX are stored separately from other ingredients. (Japanese: XX表示のある料理に使用する食材はその他の食材とは分けて保管しています. The guide’s English: “XX are stored in a separate area exclusively.”)
• Muslim customers can use a private room. (Japanese: ムスリムのお客様は個室をご利用いただけます. The guide’s English: “Private rooms for Muslim guests are available upon request.”)
• All seasonings on the table are non-pork and non-alcohol. (Japanese: 卓上の調味料はノンポーク・ノンアルコールです. The guide’s English: “All seasonings on the table are non-pork and non-alcohol.”)

The phrase collection notes that XX should be replaced with wording that matches what the restaurant provides. When using these phrases, choose only those that describe what you actually do.

When asked about a place to pray

Customers may ask about a place to pray during, before, or after a meal. The guide’s Q&A says even a small space may be appreciated, so it recommends offering what you reasonably can and letting customers decide whether to use it.

The phrase collection includes examples of offering an unused space or private room for prayer, and of providing a map to nearby mosques or facilities with prayer rooms. Knowing about prayer rooms at nearby stations and airports lets you offer directions even if you have no space in your restaurant. We cover prayer rooms at major airports and stations in Where Are the Prayer Rooms at Airports and Stations? Official Information for Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Tokyo Station, and Osaka Station.

Prepare answers in advance

Check what you do not know before answering

You may not be able to immediately explain every ingredient in the seasonings or processed foods you buy. Instead of guessing, say, “I’ll check,” and consult the ingredient label or manufacturer before answering. This makes it easier for customers to decide.

In the Food Diversity.today interviews mentioned earlier, restaurants that gave vague answers such as “I don’t know” or “It’s probably fine” were cited as places to avoid. By contrast, restaurants that carefully explained ingredients and cooking methods in English were places people wanted to visit again.

The guide’s Q&A also says that if customers remain uneasy after a discussion about ingredients, dishes cooked in front of them, such as yakiniku, may sometimes help ease their concern.

How to answer on the spot: conversation examples for three situations

What you say depends on what you could confirm, what you could not confirm, and what your restaurant cannot do. The conversations below are examples to show how to answer in each situation. Replace the dishes and ingredients with what your restaurant actually serves.

When you were able to check with the kitchen.

• Customer: Is there any pork in this fried chicken? (Japanese: この唐揚げに、豚肉は入っていますか。)
• Staff: I checked with the kitchen. It has no pork or pork-related ingredients. The marinade contains cooking sake. It is fried in the same oil as pork cutlets. (Japanese: 厨房に確かめました。豚肉と、豚由来の材料は使っていません。下味に料理酒を使っています。揚げ油は、とんかつと同じ油です。)

The customer only asked about pork, but the answer also covers the cooking sake and the frying oil. If the staff did not mention them, the customer would eat the dish without knowing about either one.

When you cannot find the ingredient package and cannot check right away.

• Customer: Does this sauce contain anything made from pork? (Japanese: このたれに、豚から作ったものは入っていますか。)
• Staff: I cannot check the ingredients of the sauce right now, so I cannot say it contains no pork. We can serve the dish without the sauce. (Japanese: たれの原材料が、今すぐには確かめられません。豚由来のものが入っていないとは言えません。たれを使わずにお出しすることはできます。)

Instead of guessing with “It’s probably fine,” the staff member says plainly what cannot be checked and adds what the restaurant can do. If you can give the answer after checking, add “I’ll check and let you know at your table” (確認して、お席でお伝えします).

When you do not have dedicated cookware.

• Customer: Do you use separate cookware for pork? (Japanese: 豚肉と別の調理器具で作っていますか。)
• Staff: We use the same cookware for pork dishes and other dishes. We wash it after each use. Disposable spoon and fork are available upon request. (Japanese: 調理器具は、豚肉の料理と同じものを使っています。使うたびに洗っています。使い捨てのスプーンとフォークはご用意できます。)

The last sentence comes from the example phrases in the Reference Volume. Even if you cannot separate your cookware, customers can decide for themselves when you tell them both that it is not separate and what your restaurant can do.

Make sure everyone at the restaurant can give the same answer

The Japan Tourism Agency’s Reference Volume says everyone, including serving staff as well as owners and cooks, needs to accurately understand the dishes offered for Muslim customers and their ingredients. Customers cannot make a decision if answers vary depending on whom they ask. Write down the answers and keep them somewhere everyone at the restaurant can see them.

Put the answers on the menu and at the entrance

Writing answers in advance makes things easier for your restaurant and customers than answering every time someone asks. For what to write on the menu and how, How to List Ingredients on Your Menu: Clear Information for Muslim Customers, Even Without Halal Certification uses oyakodon as an example and goes step by step from checking the ingredients to finishing the text.

Listing your restaurant on this site

Halal Gohan’s restaurant listing application lets you select options for each item: handling pork and pork-derived ingredients, serving alcoholic drinks, using cooking sake and mirin, separating cooking utensils and frying oil, and prayer space. You can leave items you have not checked as “Don’t know” (わからない). Listings are free.

Quotes from Japanese sources in this article are our own translations.

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Sources

Primary sources

• Japan Tourism Agency (counselor in charge of receiving foreign visitors), “Hospitality Guide for Vegetarian, Vegan, and Muslim Travelers” (ベジタリアン・ヴィーガン／ムスリム旅行者おもてなしガイド) (in Japanese), April 2024 (p. 5: number of survey responses; p. 6: clearly stating what is provided; p. 25: Islamic teachings about food; p. 29: basic approach; p. 36: frequently asked questions and answers from businesses), checked on September 28, 2026.
  https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/001740443.pdf
• Japan Tourism Agency (counselor in charge of receiving foreign visitors), “Hospitality Guide for Vegetarian, Vegan, and Muslim Travelers: Reference Volume” (ベジタリアン・ヴィーガン／ムスリム旅行者おもてなしガイド 資料編) (in Japanese), April 2024 (p. 41: Muslim travelers’ difficulties and complaints; pp. 44–45: survey results; p. 47: specific key points for serving Muslim customers; p. 48: non-pork; p. 50: non-alcohol; p. 52: halal ingredients; p. 59: other practical ideas; pp. 85–89: example phrases), checked on September 28, 2026.
  https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/content/001740444.pdf
• Fukuoka-ken Musurimu Shisaku Suishin Kyogikai (a council for promoting Muslim-related measures in Fukuoka Prefecture), “Fukuoka Prefecture Muslim-Friendly Handbook: Hospitality Guide for Muslim Travelers” (福岡県ムスリムフレンドリーハンドブック ～ムスリム旅行者おもてなしガイド～) (in Japanese), pp. 7–8: measures at Muslim-friendly facilities and restaurants, checked on September 28, 2026.
  https://www.pref.fukuoka.lg.jp/contents/muslimfriendly.html
• Japan Halal Association (JHA), “Halal Certification of Food and Drink for the Domestic Market” (国内向け飲食料品ハラール認証) (in Japanese), explanation of restaurant halal certification and information disclosure, checked on September 28, 2026.
  https://jhalal.com/cert_for_food_service
• Japan Halal Association (JHA), “Guidelines for Serving Muslim Customers at Restaurants” (飲食店におけるムスリム対応ガイドライン) (in Japanese), Ver.20171207 (1.1.2: seafood; 1.1.4.2: soy sauce and miso), checked on September 28, 2026.
  https://jhalal.com/wp-content/uploads/Guideline4Restaurant20171207.pdf

Secondary sources (cited in the article and identified as such)

• Food Diversity.today, “Muslim Travelers Explain: What Is the Decisive Difference Between ‘Restaurants They Choose’ and ‘Restaurants They Want to Avoid’?” (ムスリム旅行客が語る「選ばれる飲食店」と「避けたい飲食店」の決定的な差とは？) (in Japanese), June 23, 2025 (Food Diversity’s interviews with several Muslim tourists who had visited Japan), checked on September 28, 2026.
  https://fooddiversity.today/article_183913.html