Asakusa tempura restaurant responds to and tackles food diversity

We are able to balance the food issues faced by inbound tourists, such as gluten-free (wheat allergy), Halal certification, and Muslim friendliness (Islamic dietary issues), with providing truly delicious Japanese cuisine (tempura).

Tempura Asakusa SAKURA, a tempura restaurant located just a one-minute walk from Asakusa in Tokyo, has made all of its meals gluten-free and Halal-certified, making them Muslim-friendly, in order to meet the diverse dietary needs of foreign tourists visiting Japan.
Aimed at the increasing number of foreign tourists visiting Japan in recent years (approximately 35 million in 2024 [Japan Tourism Agency]), the restaurant has developed original recipes that focus on carefully selected ingredients and cooking methods.
This not only accommodates a wider variety of tastes, but also makes tempura that is healthier and crispier than ever before.

In addition to the existing menu, the new menu items introduced this month, "Wagyu Sirloin and Vegetable Tempura Omakase Course" and "Wagyu Sirloin Tempura Bowl", are also gluten-free and Muslim-friendly, allowing you to safely enjoy authentic tempura.
This new menu takes into consideration people with diverse food cultures and health-conscious people, and aims to contribute to solving the challenges of inbound tourism by combining Japanese food culture such as Wagyu beef and tempura with diversity.

table of contents

1. Japan's current situation regarding inbound tourism and food diversity

2. Our commitment to food diversity

3. Introducing the new menu item "Wagyu Sirloin Luxurious Tendon"

 

1. Japan's current situation regarding inbound tourism and food diversity

In recent years, the number of inbound tourists visiting Japan has been increasing year by year. According to the latest statistics from the Japan Tourism Agency, approximately 35 million foreign tourists are expected to visit Japan in 2024, and the tourism industry is growing again as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic [Japan Tourism Agency 2024 Report].

 

Many issues have arisen, including overtourism, language support, and issues with cultural understanding, including manners.

However, infrastructure to address food diversity remains insufficient, with the following issues arising:

 

-Lack of Halal compliance

There is a lack of Halal support for Muslim travelers and a small number of restaurants that serve Halal ingredients, which leaves Muslim travelers feeling anxious about their meals.

 

- Limited gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options

There are only a limited number of restaurants that offer gluten-free options to cater to travelers with gluten allergies or who are health-conscious, or menus that cater to vegetarian and vegan travelers, so food options are limited and travelers often feel inconvenienced.

 

These issues need to be resolved if Japan is to attract more inbound tourists.

The slow response is particularly noticeable in the area of Japanese food.

 

2. Tempura Asakusa SAKURA Initiatives

Tempura Asakusa SAKURA is carrying out the following initiatives to meet the diverse food needs of foreign tourists visiting Japan, particularly with the mission of "providing Japanese food that is delicious for Japanese people as well, in response to food diversity."

 

1. Gluten-free

All of our food menus are gluten-free. Our tempura batter is made with rice flour, so customers with wheat allergies and health-conscious people can enjoy our food with peace of mind.

 

2. All meals are Halal and Muslim-friendly

All meals are Halal and Muslim-friendly. We use Halal-certified ingredients, and our cooking utensils and methods are also Halal-compliant. We have created an environment where Muslim customers can enjoy their meals with peace of mind.*

 

3. Vegetarian menu available

We also have a vegetable course for vegetarians, where you can enjoy the natural flavors of the ingredients, with a focus on tempura made with seasonal vegetables.

 

4. English support

All staff can speak English and Japanese.

 

Through these efforts, we are able to accommodate diverse dietary needs and language barriers, providing a place where all customers can enjoy their meals with peace of mind.

In fact, our restaurant's customer base is roughly equal between Japanese people, foreign visitors to Japan, and people who visit for the variety of food options.

We offer "tempura that Japanese people find delicious and want to eat again and again" without sacrificing flavor in order to accommodate food diversity.

 

3. Introducing the new menu item "Halal Wagyu Sirloin Luxurious Tendon"

Tempura Asakusa SAKURA has added two new dishes to its menu: "Wagyu Sirloin and Vegetable Tempura Course" and "Luxurious Wagyu Sirloin Tendon."

This dish is also gluten-free and halal compatible, and uses the highest quality Wagyu beef sirloin, making it a menu that will satisfy even Japanese customers.

 

The "Wagyu Sirloin and Vegetable Tempura Course" allows you to enjoy freshly fried vegetables, Wagyu beef tempura, and marbled Wagyu beef sushi.

The "Wagyu Sirloin Luxurious Tempura Bowl" allows you to savor the delicious flavor of wagyu beef and the crispy texture of tempura, while also enjoying the change in flavor from condiments and dashi chazuke, just like eel on rice.

We are sure that not only foreign tourists visiting Japan but also domestic customers in Japan will be satisfied.

 

Tempura Asakusa SAKURA will continue to develop menus that meet diverse dietary needs and aim to provide safe, secure and delicious meals to all customers.

 

⚫︎Tempura Asakusa SAKURA

7F THE CITY Asakusa Kaminarimon, 2-18-16 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ae3rgPtGDFQYFSLi6

 

*Halal certification is currently being applied for and is expected to be obtained in August.

*This article is a re-edited version of the ExValue Inc. press release (prtimes.jp), published on P