OUT AND ABOUT 3

The halal wagyu restaurant Ginza The Emperor serves up the grilled meat cuisine known as yakiniku with premium beef and several twists.

To begin with, the word yakiniku does not appear in its name or on its menu, yet this specialty restaurant is branded as the only one in Japan offering a full course of halal Kobe beef.

For meat to be considered halal, the animals providing it must be slaughtered using techniques prescribed by Islamic law. Prominently displayed on the stainless steel walls of Ginza the Emperor’s stone-tiled entryway is its certification from the Japan Halal Foundation. Since November, owner Lee Wee Keong and his team have been tapping this niche market to offer premium yakiniku with painstaking attention to detail.

The restaurant, situated in Tokyo’s premier shopping district, is particular about selecting quality cuts, even from meat with the coveted Kobe beef stamp. In fact, Kobe beef sushi — thin slices of raw meat placed atop vinegared rice — is one of its most praised dishes. Lee says the meat is never frozen, which preserves flavor and texture.

Before savoring dessert, diners can try some of the “rare” closing dishes: stone-roasted garlic rice or beef dashi with somen (thin wheat noodles) or chazuke (rice soup).

But even before being awed by the fare, guests are likely to notice the absence of a common feature of yakiniku restaurants — smoke. The grills were specifically chosen to ensure that the fragrances waft through the air instead. Other eye-catching details include charging ports on the stone tabletops and the modern interior’s green and gold color scheme, inspired by Islamic influences.

Ginza The Emperor seats 40 and has two VIP rooms that can be combined to seat 16, promising an unmatched experience for everyone, including couples, families and businesspeople.