Recently, the curry fever has reignited!? So I visited this place for the first time in 5 years. This is a genuine Pakistani cuisine restaurant located next to the Osaka Mosque (Islamic place of worship), serving halal food. The recommended dish is the Friday "Curry Buffet," where you can enjoy biryani, pilaf, curries (mainly mutton & chicken), pakoras, salads, desserts, and more to your heart's content. However, if you don't go early, it can get crowded with Muslims coming from the mosque after prayers, giving it an intense atmosphere (lol). ⚫ "Curry Buffet (Friday only) 1500 yen" Today's lineup ⚫ Chicken Biryani ⚫ Mutton Korma ⚫ Chicken Curry ⚫ Lentils ⚫ Vegetable Pakoras ⚫ Salad ⚫ Mysterious dessert * They will bake naan for you upon request * Choose between chai or lassi for drinks As planned, I focused entirely on my favorites, mutton korma and chicken biryani, in an endless loop, stuffing myself... I couldn't eat much of the other items, but that's the beauty of buffets - being able to eat your favorites to your heart's content. It's been a while since I felt like my stomach was about to explode, but I was completely satisfied! I also met the owner, Mr. Abbasi, with his wonderful Muslim hat, after 5 years, and he hasn't changed at all which surprised me! Indeed, curry is a healthy food. #HalalRestaurant #OsakaMosque #Retreat before the prayers end #FridayCurryBuffet #MuttonKorma #PakistaniCuisine #Mr.Abbasi

Lahori mutton biryani (¥1,200). Named after Chef Kanpal's hometown Lahore, this biryani has a new recipe. The details are unclear, but it is definitely delicious. The lamb is tender and juicy, the rice is fluffy and fragrant. The aroma is irresistible. Today's Lahori mutton biryani was excellent, just like last week's mutton sindhi biryani. Personally, on humid days like when it's raining, the rice may turn out slightly moist and heavy. This Saturday's special was haleem, which paired perfectly with the biryani. Another dish was chicken achari, with a sweet and onion-flavored gravy that was delicious.

Sunday's special menu included Pilau and Nihari. Today, I had Pilau and Nihari with Egg Chana. For dessert, I had Halwa. They also served Samosas as a complimentary dish. - Pilau is considered the origin of Biryani and is a popular rice dish in Pakistan, known as Muslim rice. It is simpler to prepare compared to Biryani, made with rice cooked in mutton broth. Many Pakistanis prefer Pilau over Biryani for its simplicity and beautiful appearance. When I visited the restaurant at opening time, the aroma of mild spices and mutton broth in the Pilau was delightful. - Nihari is believed to have originated around present-day Delhi, India, but is also a Muslim dish. Normally made with beef, today it was made with mutton, offering a different flavor profile that was equally delicious. It has a strong spicy flavor that pairs perfectly with Pilau. - Lastly, I also tried the Egg Chana, a dish with chickpeas and eggs, known as Lahori Chana, a staple in the ancient city of Lahore, Pakistan. It was topped with onions, enhancing the flavor even more. It was incredibly delicious.

Today's special is Sindhi Biryani with potatoes. Not only does it have potatoes, but it also includes green mango chutney. The spices used are not black cardamom, but green cardamom, making it different from the default biryani. Furthermore, today's biryani is made with mutton, which adds to its spiciness and richness. The aroma of the spices is delightful, and the experience of the flavors lingering in your mouth and nose is amazing. In addition to the special Sindhi Biryani, they also offer Beef Haleem and Chicken White Korma. The Chicken White Korma is not spicy, made with milk and cream, giving it a spiced stew-like flavor that I personally enjoyed. I couldn't help but finish it all in one go. The Beef Haleem is a dish made by slow-cooking beef, lentils, barley, and wheat until it becomes tender. It is spicy and pairs perfectly with the biryani. The combination of the two dishes is excellent.

Dinner on a regular day. Barbecue Chicken Tikka (¥800) and Roti (¥300). Chicken Tikka is always on the menu. There's never a day without it. This menu is really delicious. - The 1pc chicken is so big that you can't eat it in one bite. Large pieces of chicken thigh meat marinated in spices and yogurt, skewered and grilled. Ghee (clarified butter) is brushed on during cooking or at the end. It sizzles and smokes as it arrives on a hot iron plate lined with onions, making it a highlight of the day. - It's really juicy, spicy, and deliciously hot. I prefer to eat it with whole wheat bread, Roti, made by kneading whole wheat flour with salt and water and baking it in a Tandoor oven. - There's also a Mixed Grill with other spicy kebabs like Seekh Kebab, Malai Tikka, and Tandoori Chicken. This grilled food is really delicious. - When you see Pakistani people dining, they always order this grilled dish together in a group. Not because they have to, but because it's so delicious. It was really delicious. - If you don't necessarily want curry, then you should consider choosing this Chicken Tikka.

After being overwhelmed by the deliciousness of Mutton Mandi, I couldn't wait to try the Chicken Mandi Rice. So when I saw the announcement, I was surprised by how quickly I responded. And I got it. The single serving of Chicken Mandi Rice is priced at ¥1,000, which is really affordable. I was worried if it would be okay, but it was a huge portion. A roasted chicken leg and a half buried in the rice. It's huge. It was so voluminous that I regretted adding the Beef Nihari (although it was really delicious). Whether it's a single item or a set, at OHR, it comes with a salad and one drink for ¥1,000. It's really friendly to your wallet, stomach, and taste buds. I enjoyed it deliciously today as well.

On Sunday for lunch, I went to "Osaka Halal Restaurant" on September 3, 2023. It was the last day of summer vacation and I was planning to relax at home, but I saw a great post and decided to visit this restaurant. I arrived at 11:46 and there were empty seats available. I ordered and my food arrived at 11:51. I paid at 12:18 and left. I had the Lamb Mandi Rice (half) for 600 yen, Set A (Beef Nihari, Chicken Masala, Naan) for 1200 yen, and Mango Lassi and Salad for a total of 1800 yen. The Lamb Mandi Rice was incredibly delicious, with fluffy rice that paired perfectly with the lamb. The two types of curry were also great - the Beef Nihari had a thick and sticky sauce that went well with the naan, and the Chicken Masala was full of flavor and had a good amount of ingredients. The curries were spicier than before, which I enjoyed. It was a great meal and I'm glad I could visit on the weekend after a long time. Thank you for the delicious food. #OsakaHalalRestaurant #OHR #Yamada

It was shocking. In Pakistan, Arab cuisine like this is often served, so I was surprised that Pakistanis make Arab food? But over there, it's normal. One such dish is the Mutton Mandi (¥1,200 for a single serving). I tried it for the first time. When you search, it comes up as Yemeni cuisine. The rice is basmati rice. Colored with saffron, it has a striking contrast of bright yellow and white, which is rare at OHR. The rice is cooked with spices like tej patta, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon, but it's not as spicy as biryani. However, this rice is incredibly delicious. The dish is finished by smoking it with charcoal, so both the meat and rice have a strong charcoal aroma. It turned into an extremely delicious charcoal-grilled mutton rice. Among the rice dishes I've had at halal restaurants in Osaka, this one is the best! It quickly became one of my favorite dishes.

Saturday before 12 o'clock. The interior of the restaurant is mostly 4-6 seat tables and quite spacious. About 30-40% of the customers were Japanese, while many appeared to be from the Middle East or possibly international students. We ordered Half Mutton Biryani for ¥600, Beef Haleem for ¥650, and Naan for ¥200. The dishes were served in 1-2 minutes, and surprisingly, they came with a set that included Mango Lassi and salad. The Biryani had curry leaves, star anise, and pickled plum, giving off a sweet aroma at times. The rice portion was generous even for a half serving, with a light and fluffy texture making it easy to eat. The mutton was bone-in, with lean meat that was tender and delicious. The size of the meat pieces was also satisfying. Additionally, the Biryani came with a sauce in a bamboo shot glass, which had a unique taste resembling beets. The sauce was not overly salty and didn't add much to the dish. The Haleem looked thick and had a slightly fibrous texture, with various ingredients mixed in without any particular standout flavors. The cilantro on top was a nice touch, and the green chili was quite spicy. The salad had a Caesar dressing-like flavor, different from the usual orange-based dressing in Indian and Nepalese cuisine. The Naan was thin and light, unlike the chewy type typically found in Indian and Nepalese restaurants. It was enjoyable to experience the different textures and flavors of the dishes while hot and then cooled down. The Mango Lassi was also delicious. Overall, the restaurant excelled in terms of portion size, service, and ambiance, making it a place worth revisiting for its exotic atmosphere.

Friday is buffet day at "Osaka Halal Restaurant." August 18, 2023, Friday. I was in the mood for curry after a long time. Friday means it's OHR's buffet day, right? Headed to "Osaka Halal Restaurant." I'm definitely going to be stuffed. Arrived at 11:55. Entered the restaurant. Few empty seats. Sat down. Went to the buffet. Finished eating at 12:22. Paid the bill and left. Today's Special Buffet for 1500 yen included Chicken Biryani, Mutton Korma, Chicken Curry, Lahori Chana, Mixed Veggie Pakora, Zarda Rice, Salad, Naan, and a drink (lassi). The usual menu items. The Chicken Biryani was as fluffy and delicious as ever. All the curries were tasty, but I especially love the Mutton Korma for its bold flavor. It was a joy to visit the buffet after a long time. Thank you for the meal. #OsakaHalalRestaurant #OHR #Yamada

It was rare that Friday was a holiday, so I had lunch buffet at Osaka Halal Restaurant for the first time in about 10 years. The restaurant is located about an 8-minute walk from Hankyu Chibune Station. It is a local station with no major tourist attractions, so the opportunity to visit may be limited. There is a mosque in front of the restaurant, so there were many Pakistani and Middle Eastern people in the area. We arrived at the restaurant around 11:30 and the staff brought us water and asked if we wanted to order naan, so we ordered one for two people. Below is the buffet content. - Chicken Biryani: This was a biryani made with basmati rice. It was fluffy yet moist, with lots of small pieces of chicken. It was moderately spicy and had a nice texture, making it quite enjoyable. It goes well with curry too. - Chicken Korma: This dish consisted of bone-in chicken in a creamy curry sauce. It was not a curry with chicken, but rather chicken curry as a side dish. It was mild in spiciness and easy to eat. - Mutton Curry: This dish had large pieces of tender mutton with no gaminess. It was a bit oily but very flavorful. It was slightly spicier than the chicken korma but still milder than typical Indian curry. - Bean Curry: Probably made with chickpeas, this curry was well-cooked and had a nice bean flavor that added complexity to the curry. - Vegetable Fry: This dish resembled Japanese tempura but used dried vegetables. It was decent. - Salad: A simple cabbage salad common in Indian restaurants. It was necessary as the mutton curry was a bit oily. - Naan: The naan was about 20cm in diameter, not very fluffy but not dry either. It paired well with the curries. One serving for two people was enough. - Rice-based Dessert: I did not have dessert this time as I was already full, but I remember it being quite sweet last time. It may not have suited my taste. - Lassi: Served in a paper cup with ice, this lassi was sweet, cold, and perfect to drink with the meal. It had a mild tanginess. The restaurant was almost full when we visited, with about 20% Japanese customers and the rest being foreign Muslims. All the staff were foreigners. It was an unfamiliar environment, but the food was easy to eat, mild, and I would definitely want to visit again. I have tried their regular set menu before, which was also satisfying in terms of portion size, but the buffet is definitely a great deal at 1500 yen.

On Sundays, it's Nihari. Today's special is Beef Nihari. It was really delicious. I couldn't stop sweating, maybe because of the heat, but it felt refreshing. This time, I tried Lahori Kulcha with the Nihari. Instead of spreading ghee before baking, they put ghee or butter on top after baking, which is the Lahori Kulcha style. And today, a new curry called Dalmash was introduced. I've been coming here for a long time, but it was my first time trying it. Dalmash is made using Urad dal and has a strong garlic flavor. It was delicious.

The Saturday special menu includes Mutton Biryani and Beef Haleem. The chef mentioned that they are always improving their dishes, and it shows in this Mutton Biryani. I usually have Chicken Biryani on weekdays, and I noticed a change in the masala flavor. The Mutton Biryani was delicious, with a perfect balance of masala and meat flavor. Seeing is believing, so I recommend trying it yourself. On Saturdays, they also serve Haleem, which tastes even better when added to the Biryani. The C set menu is a good option to try both dishes at an affordable price.

I had the day off on a compensatory holiday for working on a holiday. With no money to go on a trip or dine out extravagantly, I relied on this place. It's a place where you can eat to your heart's content, delicious food at a reasonable price. Speaking of reasonable, it's subjective. Comparing it to Yoshinoya or McDonald's is out of the question. But if you're looking for authentic South Asian cuisine, this place offers great value for money. I think Osaka Halal Restaurant is the best choice. I visited at 11:00 am on a weekday when they opened. I had the freshly cooked Biryani first, as it's the most delicious when freshly cooked. If you ever have the chance to go, I highly recommend it. You can enjoy really delicious Biryani here. The portion is about two servings for one person. Despite the generous portion, it only costs around 1,000 yen. If that's too much for you, don't worry, you can order a half-size portion. Honestly, a half-size portion is similar to a regular serving of fried rice at other places. And it's half the price of a full serving. Isn't that great?笑

I went to have Nihari today. The beef Nihari is the basic dish at this restaurant, although they occasionally have mutton Nihari as well. The tender red meat of the beef is really delicious. Since there are no bones, it is easy to eat. The gravy of the Nihari is excellent with its spiciness and richness. It is thickened with whole wheat flour, giving it a heavy texture. I like to eat it over pulao, but it is also delicious with naan. Today's naan was not the usual round shape, but a droplet shape given as a service. It was crispy and light, very tasty. I dipped it generously in the gravy or tore off a piece to eat with the meat. Perhaps because I was the last customer for lunch today, they also served a large portion of custard for dessert. I am grateful for the service. The custard also had dried fruits inside and was delicious.

Attended Soi's Karahi event organized by Osaka Halal Restaurant on Monday, July 24, 2023. Arrived at 18:56 and everyone was there. Bill settled at 20:47 and left fully satisfied. Ordered Charsi Karahi for 2900 yen per person, which included complimentary Chicken Biryani, Roghni Naan, Salad, Dessert, Mango Lassi, and Chai. There were 10 participants in this event. Started with Mango Lassi to soothe the throat. The Chicken Biryani was delicious as always. The highlight was the Charsi Karahi served in a hot iron pot with a generous portion of mutton. The flavor was amazing and the spiciness kicked in towards the end, even better than the Karahi I had at the anniversary event. Roghni Naan was crispy and tasty, and the complimentary Lahori Chana provided a nice flavor change. Overall, the experience was fantastic and I am grateful to Soi for organizing it. Stuffed and fully satisfied. Thank you for the feast. #OsakaHalalRestaurant #Yamada

We had a dinner party with 10 acquaintances starting at 7:30 pm on a weekday night. The menu was Charsi Karai, a dish cooked in an iron pot with salt, oil, tomatoes, green chilies, and meat for about an hour without using any spices. It is a special menu at the Osaka Halal Restaurant and requires advance reservation. We ordered 5kg of lamb meat for the 10 of us, along with 10 pieces of Roghni Naan, 2 plates of Chicken Biryani, and 2 plates of Lahori Chana. The Charsi Karai was delicious, with an amazing gravy that lingered in our mouths until the next day. It was more of a meat dish than a spicy one, perfect for savoring the mutton. The party ended before 9 pm, starting with Mango Lassi and ending with custard and chai. It was truly a delightful time.

I had Nihari (¥1,300) from the Sunday special menu. Today's Nihari was made with beef. I had it with Naan (¥200). I have been eating Nihari for many years, but today's was exceptionally delicious. It is always delicious, but today's soup had a depth of flavor and the spiciness made me sweat. The large and tender halal beef was so flavorful. Just like with Haleem, beef dishes at Osaka Halal Restaurant are truly delicious. I usually avoid getting extra Naan, but I couldn't resist today. The hot Naan was delicious again (laughs).

I tried Biryani for the first time. It was Chicken Biryani, but honestly, I couldn't tell what was inside. There were some things that were a bit hard to chew and I didn't really like the bitter taste of some ingredients that I'm not used to eating. It's a kind of mixed rice dish similar to what is eaten in Nepal and surrounding areas, but I still prefer naan. At least I had a good experience trying it for the first time.

On July 17th, which is Marine Day, I ordered a half-size portion of Chicken Sindhi Biryani, Mutton Korma, Egg Kofta. - Chicken Sindhi Biryani is a biryani dish with chicken and potatoes. It tastes lighter compared to the regular chicken biryani. The potatoes are delicious. Personally, I prefer it without potatoes, but it's still tasty with them. - Mutton Korma is a delicious dish that is not often available on weekends. It was really delicious. - Egg Kofta was also good, with the sweetness of onions adding to the flavor. - They also served Naan as a bonus, which I enjoyed with the biryani and on its own. Overall, it was a satisfying meal.

I wanted to eat Nihari on Sunday, so I visited the restaurant consecutively from Saturday. In the Osaka Halal Restaurant, Nihari is served on Sundays. Nihari means morning, and it was traditionally eaten in the morning. It is a dish where meat is slow-cooked overnight and traditionally eaten in the early morning. It originated in areas like Old Delhi, Hyderabad, and Lucknow in India. When Pakistan was founded, many Muslims from the Indian subcontinent migrated there, spreading Nihari to Pakistan. Chef Kanpal at Osaka Halal Restaurant has been cooking Pakistani cuisine for 45 years, starting his career as a cook in Lahore at the age of 14. Today's Nihari was delicious, with tender lean meat that easily shredded. The soup was clear, not heavy, but rich in flavor, with a perfect level of spiciness. The aroma was incredible, especially in Nihari. The restaurant alternates between serving beef and mutton Nihari, so next week will be mutton Nihari. They also served Roghni Naan, a naan bread with ghee and sesame, which was delicious. The thoughtful service and tasty dishes make me want to visit again. On weekends, they offer various sets with desserts, and today's dessert was Kheer, a rice pudding that was also delicious.