Kineya Mugimaru @ KIX — Restaurant in Tajiri

After checking in at the 4th floor for my 6.5-hour AirAsia X flight to Kuala Lumpur on 13 August 2025, I had one clear mission — squeeze in one last proper Japanese meal before leaving. So I made my way down to Tasty Street on the 2nd floor of Kansai Airport’s Terminal 1, and there it was — Stall No. 17, Kineya Mugimaru — proudly flying its “Halal Food Restaurant” sign. Jackpot.

Above the counter, bright menu boards showed steaming bowls of udon and set meals in glorious, full-colour detail — chicken katsu with udon, beef-and-egg gyu-toji udon, and the headliner: sukiyaki-style udon with Japanese black beef. Prices, calorie counts, and that all-important halal logo were clearly marked. Behind the counter, the kitchen was in overdrive, with staff working at lightning speed to keep up with the lunch rush.

Ordering is part of the fun. Grab a tray, choose your udon (hot or cold), and then comes the real test of willpower — the tempura counter. Golden shrimp, flaky fish fillets, and crispy vegetables sit in neat rows, practically daring you to load up your tray.

I went all in: the sukiyaki-style udon with Japanese black beef, plus shrimp and fish tempura. The tempura was spot-on — light, crisp batter that stayed crunchy even after a dip in sauce. Then came the main event: a steaming bowl of thick, chewy udon swimming in a slightly sweet, savoury broth, crowned with tender slices of beef and a sprinkle of fresh spring onions. Comfort in a bowl, and worth every yen — JPY 2,120 including tax.

The only challenge? Finding a seat. At peak lunchtime, Tasty Street turns into a game of musical chairs. I hovered like a hawk, and the moment someone stood up, I swooped in.

Around the counter, smaller menu boards advertised budget-friendly bowls starting from just JPY 590, plus sides and mini rice bowls. A set of clearly labelled order tags makes it easy to get exactly what you want, even if you don’t speak Japanese.

It’s not fine dining, but it doesn’t need to be. This was one of those simple, satisfying meals that leaves you with that unmistakable “last taste of Japan” feeling. If you’re flying out of KIX and spot that green halal sign at Kineya Mugimaru, do yourself a favour — stop for a bowl. Just be ready to stake out a seat if...

i think this is the only halal friendly restaurant in kansai airport. they have the certificate. this restaurant is located in the food court area, so you share the seat with others.

the niku udon, or beef udon is really delicious. i like the texture of the noodle. it's not overcooked, and still has a bite which i like. the beef is cooked well and savory. it's tender and easy to eat. the udon set also comes with rice. the rice has a savory flavor from the seasoning. the soup comes separately. you pour yourself using the dispenser as much as you like. you can add the topping like sliced green onion, and chili flakes.

they also have side dishes. the kakiage is basically vegetable fritter. the squid tempura is also tender inside, and crispy outside. both of them are good to eat by themselves, or you can dip them with a little...

Decent little noodle joint in the airport. I couldn’t resist the tempura tower. It’s like a tower of onion rings almost with some potato too. Wasn’t sure what sauce to put on so sprinkled the hot pepper powder that was a great idea. Also included a bit of soy sauce (I think?) on the side it soaked into the bottom. Also got a curry chicken udon. Shared between 2 people these dishes hit the spot! Cost was ¥840 after tax in October 2023. Affordable for...