Yukiya offers Muslim-friendly Soba in Asahikawa!

Make sure to save the name “Yukiya” in Asahikawa.

Hokkaido has many cities that attract Muslim travelers, and Asahikawa—the second largest city in the region—is one of them. With Asahiyama Zoo as its most popular tourist attraction, the city sees a steady flow of Muslim visitors. However, during our recent trip, we noticed that many Muslim-friendly restaurants in Asahikawa have unfortunately closed down, likely due to the pandemic.

One place that’s still open is Yukiya, a restaurant that serves Muslim-friendly soba (buckwheat noodles). It continues to offer halal options and definitely deserves a spot on your list of Muslim-friendly restaurants!

【June 2025 Update】List of All Halal restaurants in HOKKAIDO.

Planning to go to Hokkaido and want to know Halal restaurants? This is the list of all Haal restaurants in Hokkaido.

paulonia.tokyo

2023.03.24

What is Soba noodle? Isn’t the meal Muslim-friendly itself?

Soba is typically translated as buckwheat noodles. It is especially popular in colder regions, as buckwheat grows better in such climates—making Hokkaido one of the best areas for producing high-quality soba. These noodles are often favored by Muslim travelers, as they are usually served without meat.

However, it is important for Muslims to know that soba is commonly served with a dipping sauce that contains alcoholic seasonings, such as soy sauce and mirin. While some consider the alcohol to be negligible due to evaporation during the cooking process, others may still prefer to avoid it.

If you are comfortable with sauces where the alcohol has been cooked off, you will find plenty of soba options throughout Japan.

How is their meal at Yukiya?

Yukiya, however, truly stands out. They ensure that all their meals are completely free from alcoholic seasonings.

Their menu clearly indicates which dishes can be prepared in a Muslim-friendly way, offering peace of mind to Muslim travelers. No prior reservation is needed, although these meals may take a little longer to prepare.

Their soba is served either hot or cold, and the buckwheat noodles are both aromatic and refreshing. What makes Yukiya especially unique is their tempura. Unlike most restaurants that use white wheat flour, Yukiya uses buckwheat flour for their tempura batter.

This results in an exceptionally crispy texture that complements the meal perfectly. As a result, what is usually considered a light soba meal becomes something truly satisfying and sumptuous.

Details of the restaurant

The restaurant is conveniently located in the city center.