This is the essence of meat, this is the essence of rice! Just in time for the end of Ramadan, I finally tried the beautiful mandi, an Arab rice dish. The marinated bone-in thigh meat, soaked in a deep red color like I've never seen before, with a wonderful sheen and aroma...! The mysterious reddish hue all the way to the bone is not just appetizing, it creates a festive mood... Mandi is a dish I haven't had in almost a year since leaving the country. It may not be the most delicious, but it was certainly very interesting (>ω<) Lamb is such exquisite meat...ლ(´ڡ`ლ) Depending on the breed and cooking method, a different flavor seeps out each time, and this time it strangely resembles Pecorino (cheese made from sheep's milk). It's a completely new experience, albeit a somewhat random association. The only downside is that some parts tend to dry out. Even though it's bone-in and large in size, the muscle should not become dry and tough. There seems to be a lack in the cooking method or storage. The dessert, which I didn't really eat before, is a wheat flour cake soaked in cream. What was the name again... (｡ŏ﹏ŏ) Anyway, it's a delicious sweet treat, with a perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess, enhanced by spices like cardamom. The initial soup is also enjoyable now that the strange sweetness from three years ago is gone (lol) I absolutely cannot forgive adding sugar to tomato soup to make it sweet, so the first time with that soup was quite tough... The decorations inside the restaurant also seem to have slightly improved in taste compared to before. Until next time! Offering a spicy lassi, as I've unlocked it myself, should be possible in reliable restaurants. However, it's still very rare to see this on the menu. By the way, I just learned that there is a systematic "Indian Chinese" cuisine in India...! I used to think that Indian-Chinese food was just some weird (...) thing that appeared individually, but in reality, Indian Chinese cuisine is not a variation of Chinese cuisine but more like a part of Japanese cuisine, just as in India, there exists a series of dishes like this.

This is probably my first time dining at a halal restaurant. The menu here is very diverse, offering a wide range of dishes from India, Arabia, and more. The aroma inside the restaurant gives off an impression of the Islamic world. The staff managed to communicate in Japanese. I ordered dal curry, okra curry, chicken tikka, chicken biryani, and an Arabian salad, and all of them were delicious and satisfying. I wish there was a place like this near my workplace. Thank you for the meal.

All the staff are of Indian descent. The servers speak Japanese, but the kitchen staff speak broken Japanese. I ordered the A lunch set for 1050 yen, which includes soup, salad, spiced chicken stew, two types of daily curries, naan, rice, and a choice of drink (mango lassi, chai, or iced coffee). The curries offered were vegetable curry and chicken curry, both with a moderate level of spiciness and delicious flavor. The spiced chicken stew was the spiciest dish. The naan was large and satisfying. It's authentic Indian curry.

India, Persia, Arabia, Turkey - Salman & Soel Halal Kitchen (Miyagaki-cho) - Zereshk Polo and other curries Curry Detective, Yamichan here. Kyoto Expedition 2023, mid-February, Episode 3. The next day at lunchtime, I arrived in Miyagaki-cho. I don't know why, but there are many Asian cuisine restaurants around the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Salman & Soel Halal Kitchen (exterior). Following the Persian cuisine experience at "Arashi no Kitchen" the previous night, I wanted to continue exploring similar options for comparison, so I chose this place. Interestingly, there are several restaurants with similar cuisines concentrated in the vicinity. The interior of the restaurant was clean, with several Indian staff in the kitchen and waitresses wearing hijabs. About 83% of the customers were having the lunch curry. However, since this restaurant boasts of serving Indian, Persian, Arabian, and Turkish cuisine, it seemed boring to just have the lunch curry. So, I asked for the full menu and ordered two dishes. First, tomato soup, I'm not sure what it came with. Next, VEZIRI KABAB SET for 1600 yen. The beef and lamb minced kebabs were delicious! The yellow one is chicken. The front one is BEEF BOTI KABAB, which is probably named differently here. Served on saffron rice, I enjoyed eating the meat with my hands. The second dish, ZERESHK POLO for 1500 yen, is a representative Persian dish. It consisted of barberry rice with chicken (Morgh) and saffron rice. The red berries are barberries, giving a sweet and sour taste. The Morgh looked like curry but was actually tomato-stewed chicken legs. I enjoyed it heartily. Overall, the food felt somewhat hastily prepared, and I wished for more intricately prepared dishes. Maybe it's more like the style of eating in Iranian homes. (Continued) Yamichan: "The next curry activity will be at that restaurant in your town." Curry Expedition 2023, mid-February, 2 nights, 3 days, Kyoto Edition. Table of Contents ROTI circle (South Asian Cuisine Lovers Club)

Chicken Biryani for 1400 yen. It is a truly authentic Biryani with a beautiful gradient of spiciness. Unlike the Biryani near my house which is more like fried rice, I prefer this Dam-style Biryani. And the portion size is impressive! The egg in the middle was a nice surprise. As I dug in, I found a large chicken drumstick hidden underneath. It was so tender that I could easily pull the meat off the bone with a spoon. The spiciness was mild, but the overall flavor was exactly what Biryani should be. Perhaps because it is Halal, the taste felt a bit lacking, but it was still delicious.

I recommend the lunch set menu for a satisfying meal. I had the vegetable set menu for dinner. It included two types of curry, rice, two types of fried food, yogurt, naan, and a drink. It was delicious and had a good portion size. There may not be a sample person at the restaurant. I would like to try the chicken or other meat dishes next time.

I ordered Beef Dum Biryani at Beef Dam Biryani! It was my first time trying beef biryani, and you don't see it often in other restaurants. The color was light, but it was a genuine biryani with white, yellow, and orange colors mixed in. It had a subtle and refreshing aroma of whole spices. The flavor was mild with the sweetness of fried onions standing out, making it a sweet biryani. The curry gravy was lightly seasoned with a hint of spice, creating a gentle taste profile. However, it was made with proper techniques, so the authentic flavor of spices spread in the mouth, not turning into a curry-flavored fried rice like fake biryanis. The biryani had chunks of beef in it, with a firm and slightly tough texture. The curry gravy had seeped into the meat, blending perfectly with the refreshing spice flavor that tingles the nose, creating a harmonious mix of spice and beef umami. The center of the biryani was filled with curry gravy, and mixing it enhanced the spice level and overall flavor. The raita was a yogurt-based salad with cucumber and finely chopped onions, seasoned with cumin and other spices, adding a subtle spice flavor. When poured over the biryani, it increased the acidity, giving the dish a refreshing taste and toning down the spiciness. The Mango Lassi served with the Beef Dam Biryani was like a dessert drink with a fluffy texture, strong sweetness, and mild acidity. It was incredibly sweet!

Salomon & Soel Halal Kitchen Kyoto in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto (Keihan Jingu Marutamachi). ♡ Chicken Tikka Masala [Naan, Salad, Mango Lassi Set] Sweet and flavorful chicken curry. #SalomonAndSoelHalalKitchenKyoto #Jingumarutamachi #KawaramachiStreet #IndianCuisine #Curry #SpicyCurry #IndianCurry #ChickenTikkaMasala #ChickenCurry #KyotoGourmet #KyotoFoodTour #AisudoMan #Aitaiyo #AitaiyonosoudaKyotodeTabeyou #AisudoManCurry #AisudoManKyotoGourmet

I had some business at the legal affairs bureau and happened to see this restaurant nearby, so I decided to check it out. Since I don't speak much Japanese, I had to communicate in English. It was past 3pm, so I couldn't order from the lunch menu, and they recommended the biryani to me. The flavor wasn't too spicy, but I couldn't stop sweating. The basmati rice was a type of rice I wasn't familiar with, but it had a unique taste that gave off a sense of being in a foreign country. The chicken hidden under the rice was tender, and it tasted delicious when eaten with the curry. Since I visited outside of lunch hours, the price was a bit high, but I think it's worth trying out this kind of lunch once in a while.

I contacted the restaurant by phone and email to express my desire to eat lamb shank, and then visited the restaurant. There was one Indian chef and one manager at the restaurant. The taste of the food was mediocre. They did not accept credit cards for payment. When I asked for a receipt with my name on it, they asked me to write it myself on a separate sheet of paper, which surprised me. I repeatedly explained that I couldn't do that, and eventually the manager wrote my name on the receipt. I had lamb shank, soup, and naan. Strangely, the manager cut the naan for me. The manager said he couldn't speak Japanese and his English was limited. The photos attached are of the lamb shank that the manager sent me by email after our phone conversation. The first photo is of the dish I received, and the second photo is the one the manager sent before my visit. It was disappointing to see that they used a microwave to reheat the food after stewing it. I am grateful to the restaurant staff for providing me with a meal, and that's the end of my review.

Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line, Kyoto City Hall Station is a 15-minute walk away, but it may be closer to take the Keihan Kamotou Line to the Jingu Marutamachi Station. The restaurant offers not only Indian cuisine but also Arab cuisine, using Basmati rice for their dishes. The menu includes a wide variety of Indian dishes such as Dal Fry and Palak Paneer. There are also various Arab dishes including kebabs. I ordered Falafel (chickpea croquettes) and Vegetable Biryani. The Falafel was a delicious mini croquette with a light chickpea flavor. The Biryani had fried onions, whole spices, and mixed vegetables, with a mild spiciness but was tasty. I want to experience more of their extensive menu.

Near the intersection of Kawaramachi and Marutamachi, in a somewhat exotic corner with churches and mosques nearby, you will find this restaurant. "Salman & Soel," a halal specialty restaurant part of the "Raju" group of Indian restaurants in Kyoto. The restaurant seems to have opened targeting visitors from the nearby mosque. I asked the staff outside if they had mutton biryani, and they confirmed they did. I couldn't find it on the lunch menu, but it was listed on the a la carte menu inside, so I ordered it. The price was listed as 1400 yen, but I'm not sure if that included tax as I left without the register opening. First, they served a soup that was mild and vegetable-based. The mutton biryani was not too spicy on the outside, but when mixed with the mutton curry inside, it became quite delicious. I wasn't sure what the white side dish was, so I tried it, but it didn't add much to the flavor. Finally, they served mango lassi, which was a nice ending to the meal. This restaurant offers an authentic experience for those looking to enjoy genuine cuisine, but be prepared for limited Japanese communication and a truly local experience.

I would rate this place as follows: Food 4.1 | Service 4.0 | Atmosphere 4.2 | Value for money 3.9 | Drinks - It's been a while since I visited Arakamiguchi. Let's have lunch here. It seems that lunch is limited to set menus. I wasn't in the mood for curry, so I ordered the E set for 1400 yen, which came with Shish Kebab, Chicken Kebab, and Saffron Rice. First, the soup. It had a light flavor and was delicious. The main dish was two large skewers (although the skewers were removed) and a salad. They also served a complimentary Mango Lassi. The skewers were carefully grilled in a pot, with a deep flavor. Although not spicy, they were well seasoned. And as expected, the rice here is delicious. I like long-grain rice, and this one was light and had a pleasant texture. While eating, I noticed many Japanese people peeking into the restaurant from outside or studying the menu. But in the end, everyone just walked past. Be brave and give it a try. This place is not scary, it's a delicious restaurant. Although 1400 yen was a bit extravagant, I had a satisfying lunch. Thank you for the meal.

The flavors were not as strong as I expected, but it was delicious. The sesame naan had crispy parts that were thin and tasty. The cumin rice was also delicious.

Spinach Keema Curry Set with Drink for 1250 yen. The naan was unexpectedly delicious! It seems like a place I can easily go for lunch, I want to visit this restaurant again!

Raju, who runs a wide range of Indian restaurants in the Kyoto-Saga area, seems to specialize in Halal cuisine. Halal refers to food that is permitted in Islam, and Muslims are only allowed to eat food that has received this certification. The restaurant seems to be focused on biryani, a dish that has become well-known, but originally it is a Muslim dish, so those who love South Asian cuisine are naturally drawn to try biryani when visiting this type of restaurant. However, the menu also includes beer, which is traditionally considered taboo in Islam, and a dish called hummus, commonly seen in Turkey and the Middle East. At the bottom of the menu, it was also mentioned in small letters "INDIAN, ARABIC & TURKISH". The exterior of the restaurant is quite flashy for a Muslim establishment. Different Muslim countries may have different approaches to facing religion, as seen in Turkey with the brand of beer called Efes. We don't know what religion the owner, Raju, follows, but as long as the food is delicious, it's fine. The restaurant's approach seems to be slightly different from the strict Muslim restaurants. I ordered the Jelish Polo from the daily menu page and got a takeout of beef biryani. The Jelish Polo, with steamed chicken, practically melted with just a spoon. The rich sauce, likely made with tomatoes, had almost no spiciness and had a very gentle flavor. The topping on the basmati rice was cherries, which had a slight sourness reminiscent of perilla leaves. It tasted like Western cuisine and was quite delicious. It reminded me of the Afghan cuisine I tried at a restaurant in Nagoya. The concept of this restaurant may be to focus on Middle Eastern cuisine, as indicated by the words Arab and Turkish on the menu. I also added Gajjar Ka Halwa, a dessert made with carrots. It was my first time trying it, and it was sweet and smooth without the typical carrot smell. Carrot halwa is not commonly found in many places, so I was happy to see it on the menu. The beef biryani I took out was a dish I wanted to try because beef biryani is not very common. It had large chunks of beef with a good amount of spices like cardamom, giving it a delicious aroma. It seemed relatively simple in flavor, but that simplicity made it dangerously addictive once you started eating it. This restaurant has a wide menu and is relatively approachable for us Japanese, as it doesn't give off a strict Muslim restaurant vibe. For those interested in Middle Eastern cuisine, visiting this type of restaurant could be a good starting point to explore different places.

My rating is as follows: Food 4.1 | Service 4.0 | Atmosphere 4.2 | Value for money 3.9 | Drinks 4.0. This was my second visit to Salman Sohel's restaurant for dinner. The previous customers were a family of Islamic tourists with 4 people. The restaurant was run by a male owner alone. I sat at a two-person table next to the entrance. I ordered the beef biryani set since the mutton biryani was sold out. After a short wait, the soup arrived first. It had cabbage and maybe beans as the base. The slightly mild flavor increased my anticipation for the main dish. And then, the biryani arrived solemnly. It looked delicious and had a great aroma. The taste was as expected, with the Indica rice giving it a light texture. The beef was tender and flavorful, and the subtle spiciness added depth to the dish. Just when I was enjoying it, the owner brought a mango lassi, which I usually don't like, but this one was exceptional. It was like a coconut milk ice cream to finish off a spicy Thai meal. The total cost was 1300 yen, which was completely worth it. The owner, who seemed intimidating at first, was actually kind and helpful to the tourist family, creating a nice atmosphere. I believe more Japanese customers should visit this place. Thank you for the meal.

My rating is 3.6 for food, 3.5 for service, 3.7 for atmosphere, and 3.4 for value for money, with no rating for drinks. This restaurant is located northeast of Arakamiguchi intersection. There used to be a café called Rose Café, which was Kyoto's first halal café. However, like many concept-driven establishments, it had unstable operations, changing websites, and inconsistent menus, and eventually closed down. After that, a new halal restaurant with a similar concept opened in almost the same location, but this time run by a group that owns over 10 Indian restaurants in the Kyoto-Shiga area. This area stands out in Kyoto, known for its abundance of shrines and temples, as it is home to a Japanese Christian church on the east side of Arakamibashi and a Baptist church on the west side, with the Kyoto Islamic Cultural Center located further west. Although Kyoto does not have a mosque with a distinctive appearance, the basement of this center serves as a place of worship known as the "Kyoto Mosque." I like to call this area "Kyoto's Palestine," as there is no religious tension or conflict here, which is a testament to the peaceful nature of Japan. Therefore, it is understandable from a marketing perspective why a halal restaurant would thrive here. On my first visit around 1 pm, there was only one male customer present. I decided to try the Veziri Kebob, which includes one skewer each of Persian (Iranian) beef kebab (kebob kubidhe) and chicken kebab (kebob jojie), as it seemed like a good choice based on prior research. Although the menu listed the price as 1450 yen, I was only charged 1400 yen. As more and more Muslim-looking men entered the restaurant, it became clear that they were not bound by the typical Japanese lunchtime of 12 to 1 pm. They greeted each other warmly and engaged in lively conversations, creating a vibrant Islamic atmosphere. The food arrived, and the aroma of spices filled the air. The simple lettuce salad was delicious, as were the fried tomatoes and green peppers. The chicken and beef kebabs were exceptionally tasty. While I am not an expert in this type of cuisine, it seemed evident that this was not an Indian restaurant serving pseudo-halal dishes. The pilaf-style rice was also delicious and many customers were enjoying biryani, indicating that the rice dishes here are a highlight. Towards the end of the meal, a female server kindly offered me a mango lassi, which provided a refreshing break after the flavorful meal. I discovered a restaurant where I can enjoy authentic halal dishes, Indian curries that I have yet to try, and my favorite biryani. I look forward to returning and exploring more of the menu. Thank you for a wonderful meal.