A store specializing in curry in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, will start to provide Japanese style curry whose ingredients and cooking method have been adapted to be "Halal" in adherence to Islamic law. According to "Kyoto Halal Network Association," which is based in Nakagyo Ward and cooperated in introducing halal-compliant foods into menus, some stores in Kyoto Prefecture provide Halal curry in Islamic style, but opinions have been voiced among Muslims including, "There are few stores where we can eat Japanese style curry and rice." A curry restaurant, touting its Japanese style, has responded to their wishes.

There have been some pioneers like Icibanya Co., Ltd., based in Aichi Prefecture, which operates "Curry House CoCo ICHIBANYA," and has opened halal-compliant stores in Tokyo. However, such attempts are rare in Kyoto Prefecture.

"Akadaya" is a store specializing in curry in Nishioji Nishi-iru, Sanjo-dori, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto. The strong point of this store's curry is its thick roux which is simmered for three days and features a sweet and spicy flavor. Beef is used for the halal curry. Working with the association, the store has obtained a roux free of pork and alcohol-derived ingredients, which Muslims avoid, and beef which is butchered appropriately to conform to halal.

As cookware and tableware which have touched pork even once are taboo, the store has prepared new pots, kitchen knives, chopping boards and spoons. These tools and ingredients, including oil used to deep-fry food as toppings, are separated for use by Muslims or general customers.

Haruhiko Akada, president of Akadaya, created the recipe after five months of trial and error. Although it was difficult to make curry with plenty of flavor and depth, he developed Halal, Japanese style, thick curry with a flavor that is almost unchanged from the usual curry served at the restaurant.

It will be served from mid-March. President Akada said, "I did my best with the sole desire of creating a place where Muslims can enjoy eating." A representative of the association said, "Curry and rice, now called a 'Japanese national food,' is ranked as another food culture and is becoming popular even among people from the home of curry."

Although the store has not received "Halal confirmation," it continues to receive instruction from the association. The curry costs about 800 yen. Halal curry is scheduled to be provided from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and also from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. except during busy times. For more information, call Akadaya at 075-354-6985.