Ameya-Yokocho (also known as “Ameyoko”) is an open-air market in Taito ward right next to Ueno Station.
And one of the things people will notice of how it has an international flair, reminding me of Shinuku’s Okubu-dori (or Shin-Okubo) and a mix of clothing shops, restaurants, candy shops and more.
But one thing I noticed are Halal food vendors.
For those who are not familiar with “Halal”, the Arabic word means lawful or permitted.
According to ICV, halal foods are:
- Free from any component that Muslims are prohibited from consuming according to Islamic law (Shariah).
- Processed, made, produced, manufactured and/or stored using utensils, equipment and/or machinery that have been cleansed according to Islamic law.
Those that are not Halal are therefore considered as “Haram (unlawful and prohibited).
So, at Ameya-Yokocho, you will see a variety of things being sold with the halal symbol. A lot offered at these vendors are foods such as beef or chicken kebab or long french fries (mochi mochi long potato) with your choice of sauces, including mentaiko sauce.
I went to the vendor primarily for the well-known long french fries that are sold.
For those in America, who tend to use the word “fries” or French fries”, just note that is more of an American word. British call them chips, French call them “Pommes Frites” and in Japan, they call them “potato”. And at this location, they called them “Mochi Mochi Long Potato” and I ordered those with mentaiko (cod roe) sauce and it was delicious.
And I’ll definitely come back to try the kebab’s next time. But I’m starting to see more Halal and Turkish vendors open up shop in both Kanto and Kansai areas. Especially as Muslim populations grow in Japan.
But for those in the mood for halal food and happen to be in the Ueno area, definitely check out the vendors in Ameyoko!
