Story of Lale, why can we enjoy real Turkish food in Sapporo?
Japan and Turkey have been good friends thanks to a historical event happened in 1890. Even here in Sapporo, Hokkaido, you may taste a real Turkish food, which are complete Halal, run by a Turkish Muslim man!
Mr. Kisal Mustafa, originally from Turkey, has been in Sapporo for more than 20 years and he is running a beautiful Turkish restaurant called Lale (トルコカフェ&レストラン ラーレ). Turkish food you may find in Japan, in most of the cases, will be Doner Kebab or Turkish ice cream, however, in Lale, you can try a perfect Turkish cuisine.
Famous mackerel sandwich, tomato and eggplant stew, kebabs, not to mention his home-made Baklava and a glass of Turkish tea! They are all yummy.
He was very kind to answer all of our questions.
- QWhat do you think about Halal environment in Japan?
- A
There are a lot of restaurants or food merchandise that put Halal certificate on some of the haram products, unfortunately. I guess this is not to earn more customers because Japanese people are very serious and responsible of what they are doing. I hope that this is because of misunderstanding or misinterpretation towards the religion.
But of course, whatever the cause it may be, it is what upsets Muslims, including me. But in my restaurant, I am proud of myself that I will never do such thing, because that is my faith as a Muslim.
- QDo you find it difficult to live in Japan as a Muslim?
- A
I am fluent in Japanese, but it is still really hard for me to write or read Chinese characters. Even though I live in Japan for more than 20 years, there is always something new to me.
For example, there was this rice cracker that I liked so much. But one day, I came to know this rice cracker contained gelatin, pork product! Since then, I do not take this product.
This could be a very common thing for a foreigner living in Japan. We all have a difficulty in understanding something which is written in a very complicated way, but I love this country because people and culture are amazing.
- QWhat are the strengths of your restaurant?
- A
With an abundant experience in Japan, I know how to treat and please customers with my Halal Turkish food. The restaurant is very reasonable, and all the Muslims can eat without being worried.
The quality of the food is of course what I am proud of. The food is Turkish home dishes, which is rare in Japan.
In our restaurant, we have a Belly Dance show at night, which I believe is entertaining our customers so much.
- QDo you have any message to the people coming to Japan?
- A
I would be very happy if you could come over to this beautiful country without any concerns, as the Japanese people will definitely try to help you out. I will be happier if you could have a bit of happiness in my restaurant, too.
Details of the restaurant
Name: Turkish Cafe and Restaurant Lale (トルコカフェ&レストラン ラーレ)
Address:1st Flr., 20-1 Nishi 14, Minami 6jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 064-0806 北海道札幌市中央区南6条西14-1-20 1F
Genre: Turkish
Tel: 011-777-4139
Closed on: Sundays, every day between 14:00-17:30
Others: Halal kitchen, Halal meat, Muslim owner
Information as of December 2022. The restaurant is not Halal certified, so that there is a small risk of contamination, which we cannot be responsible of.