Halal Ramen Honolu

I have visited the Honolu in Osaka MULTIPLE times on multiple different trips. I support halal businesses but this outlet in Ebisu I will not return to.

WAIT TIME: We were 2 people and waited more than 30 minutes during dinner time - which was fine as we are well aware halal places in Japan are small and there will be a wait time. I made myself known to the staff that I was waiting outside for 2 people – he acknowledged me. There were 2 ladies in front of us and we knew they were next to dine in. So, we waited our turn.

Note to DINERS – have courtesy to pay attention to your surroundings, if you see people in front of you wait your turn or open your mouth and ask if they are waiting to dine in or waiting for takeout. There was a couple who came after me (2 girls are still in the line before us) and expected to be seated. The 2 girls went in and after 10 mins, 2 other diners left so it was MY turn to go in. The couple who came after me proceeded to head to the seats while we were seated at the waiting area. I told the staff I was next and those grudgingly got up and waited outside. We were seated downstairs at the bar area in front of food prep.

MENU – Like any ramen place, you need to pay and order via a vending machine (coin only) pass your ticket to the staff. Menu does not make sense, the fried chicken ramen was not available on the machine but the fried chicken ala carte was available. They want you to add on these things. Lots of things sold out like Gyoza.

FOOD – This it where it got extremely disappointing and UNHYGIENIC! So, while waiting for our food (soup broth to be heated) the couple behind us table was ready, they proceed to order – they did not have any coins and asked for the staff to change coins for them. The staff with her bare hands took their money and exchanged the coins. SHE DID NOT CLEAN HER HANDS AFTER and proceed to plate our ramen. I watched as everything was handled with chopsticks – fine… then when it got to the seaweed, she used her same unclean hands to pick it up and plate it. I did not eat that touched seaweed. Food was disappointing considering I have been to Honolu before and know their standards – everything came from plastic containers in the fridge – the chicken pieces, egg and minced meat was COLD and needed to be heated up in the soup. The fried chicken came after we were almost done with our ramen. Fried Chicken was good and hot but not worth the price.

HYGIENE – considering this is Japan and also living in a post covid world – food handling was horrible. Only the lady plating the ramen was only one wearing a mask – other staff were not. She was not wearing gloves – other staff also were not wearing gloves. She didn’t clean her hands after touching money. Best part came after I finished my meal – it was getting to closing time and they were packing away their stuff into more containers to go into the fridge. Another guy appeared (not the cook) he proceeded to put the ingredients into the containers – he did not wear a mask or gloves and he was clearing his throat / coughing the entire time. He even coughed into his right hand and continued to go back putting things into containers. He did this in full sight of the customers seated downstairs. WORLD CLASS.

FYI - the Thai restaurant next door uses Halal meat as they posted at the entrance (we saw this while waiting).