Halal Chocolates In Japan & Where To Find Them (2022)
Your search for Muslim-friendly halal chocolates in Japan ends here! I’ve done ALL the work to bring you this complete (and ever-growing!) list of our favorite cocoa indulgences.
Many thanks to the global Muslim community that has continuously called for transparency in ingredients and processing information from food producers while increasing demands for Muslim-friendly snacks in Japan.
To be honest, I started this research for my own personal use.
But like the many articles here, these findings were too good to keep secret. Sharing food is undeniably my love language, so here we are! These are the chocolates I trust and purchase for Muslim friends and family, the complete guide to halal chocolates in Japan (2022).
Halal Chocolates In Japan & Where To Find Them
1. Chocolats Café Genshin
2. Lotte Ghana Chocolates
3. Meiji Almond & Macadamia
4. ROYCE’ Chocolates
5. Bourbon Alfort Chocolates
6. Glico Pocky Chocolate Sticks
7. Morinaga Chocolate Ice Cream
8. Godiva Chocolates
9. Toblerone Chocolates
Related Posts
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1. Chocolats Café Genshin
Certified halal by Nippon Asia Halal Certification
Chocolats Café Genshin is gourmet chocolate unlike any other. Experience three deliciously distinct layers in each bite, taking you through a journey of Japanese flavors.
Halal Chocolates in Japan : Photo from Café Genshin
Savor its indulgent chocolate center delicately wrapped in kinako roasted soybean confection infused with buttermilk caramel, finished with a dusting of Café Genshin’s signature roasted organic brown rice.
Okinawa’s famed nuchimasu sea salt and brown sugar are listed as locally sourced ingredients. The elegant box it comes in makes Chocolats Café Genshin a lovely souvenir!
Where To Buy Chocolats Café Genshin | ショコラカフェ玄神
Purchase it online at Café Genshin by 供TOMO Official Store.
2. Lotte Ghana Chocolates
Lotte Ghana is one of the most famous brands of chocolates loved by locals and travelers.
It’s simple, affordable and good. It hits the spot every time I’m craving a hit of luscious cocoa that melts in the mouth. You must try the Roast Milk, it’s my favorite! Strangely it’s not as widely available in stores as the classic chocolate bar varieties.
Here’s the list of Lotte Ghana’s halal chocolates in Japan.
Chocolate Bars
✓ Milk ✓ Black ✓ White ✓ Pink ✓ Roast Milk
Other Variations
✓ Ripple ✓ Grande ✓ Pop Joy ✓ Popcorn ✓ Crunky
Halal Chocolates in Japan : Photos from Lotte
While Lotte Ghana is not certified halal, the chocolates above 1) use plant-based emulsifiers 2) have zero non-halal ingredients 3) are produced free from cross-contamination. My gratitude goes out to Halal Japan on Facebook for calling the brand to check periodically.
Where To Buy Lotte Ghana Chocolates | ロッテ ガーナチョコレート
Pretty much everywhere in Japan from convenience stores to supermarkets to drugstores to mini-marts in the rural countryside (speaking from personal experience!).
Psst, Lotte’s Hershey’s Chocolate Ice Bar is also Muslim-friendly!
3. Meiji Almond & Macadamia
The most iconic Japanese chocolate brand, Meiji has been producing chocolates since 1916. However, Meiji’s popular almond and macadamia chocolates seem to stand out, especially among Muslims in Japan. It’s easy to see why. Crunchy roasted nuts coated in rich chocolate?
What an addictive pairing!
Halal Chocolates in Japan : Photos from Meiji
Other Muslim-friendly products by Meiji include Kinoko No Yama and Fran chocolate snacks.
Do note that this brand is not certified halal. It’s only known that these specific products contain no non-halal ingredients and are made with plant-based emulsifiers.
Where To Buy Meiji Chocolates | 明治チョコレート
Pretty much everywhere in Japan from convenience stores to supermarkets to drugstores to mini-marts in the rural countryside (speaking from personal experience!).
4. ROYCE’ Chocolates
ROYCE’ signature chocolate that brought it to global fame is its nama chocolates.
Nama means raw, or fresh depending on the context it’s used in. Nama chocolate is like a solidified ganache, made of melted cacao and fresh (nama) cream, that is dusted with cocoa powder. It packs a punch in every little square bite. Rich, luxurious and seriously smooth.
Here’s the list of Muslim-friendly chocolates by ROYCE’
Nama Chocolates
✓ Mild Cacao ✓ Mild Milk ✓ Mild White ✓ Ghana Bitter ✓ Ecuador Sweet
Other Variations
✓ Chocolate Bars (except liquor flavors) ✓ Pure Chocolates ✓ Prafeuille Chocolat ✓ Nutty Bar ✓ Fruit Bar ✓ Matcha Bar
Halal Chocolates in Japan : Photo from ROYCE’
The classic chocolate-covered potato chips are also halal and legendary.
The products above are free from non-halal additives and made from plant-based ingredients. As some unlisted chocolate types contain alcohol, this brand is not certified halal.
Where To Buy ROYCE’ Chocolates | ロイズチョコレート
Get it from its online store here, in airports or in any of its stores within Japan. ROYCE’ is also available in various locations within the US as well as other parts of the world.
5. Bourbon Alfort Chocolates
I have to confess. One time, I packed like 15 bars of Bourbon Alfort chocolates in my luggage to bring to friends. It’s compact, affordable and yummy. I thought they made great souvenirs!
Bourbon Alfort is most known for its Mini Chocolate Biscuits – essentially a regular chocolate bar embedded with bite-sized whole-grain biscuits on its back. It’s the right balance of sweet, melty, crunchy and slightly savory. For about ¥100 (USD0.70) each, it’s a steal.
Here’s the list of Muslim-friendly chocolates by Bourbon Alfort
✓ Chocolate ✓ Chocolate Black ✓ Vanilla White ✓ Premium Cocoa 70 ✓ Premium Matcha
Halal Chocolates in Japan : Photos from Bourbon
Their Uji Matcha Green Tea Elise Wafers and Jaga Choco Nano Black chocolate-covered potato chips are also halal. Despite its name, this brand of chocolates contains no alcohol.
There’s no halal certification, but the ingredients used are Muslim-friendly and plant-based.
Where To Buy Bourbon Alfort Chocolates | ブルボンアルフォート
Pretty much everywhere in Japan from convenience stores to supermarkets to drugstores to mini-marts in the rural countryside (speaking from personal experience!).
6. Glico Pocky Chocolate Sticks
Pocky is a cultural phenomenon in Japan, and this anytime snack is just as well-loved in other countries! Each box gives you about 10 long, thin biscuit sticks covered in classic chocolate or other deliciously flavored chocolate creams.
Pocky gives a nice little snap when you bite into it, and it is ridiculously easy to finish off all on your own. I’m thrilled to share that as of 2020, Pocky in Japan is Muslim-friendly.
Halal Chocolates in Japan : Photo from Pocky
It previously had animal-based shortening but has since changed to be free from non-halal ingredients with no cross-contamination in its production process. Leveled up, I say!
Now let’s see if a halal certification will be procured eventually, as some countries in Southeast Asia have long been selling halal-certified Pocky. Fingers crossed.
Where To Buy Pocky | グリコ ポッキー
Pretty much everywhere in Japan from convenience stores to supermarkets to drugstores to mini-marts in the rural countryside (speaking from personal experience!).
7. Morinaga Chocolate Ice Cream
When two worlds of sweets collide, you get Morinaga’s PARM chocolate-covered ice cream.
Think velvety vanilla ice cream dipped in deliciously rich chocolate, like a Magnum. The hardened chocolate coating gently breaks when you take a bite, opening its doors to pleasantly smooth ice cream.
This PARM series is so loved in Japan that it had a pop-up cafe in Tokyo once!
Here’s the list of Muslim-friendly chocolate ice cream by Morinaga
✓ Chocolate ✓ Chocolate & Chocolate ✓ Almond & Chocolate ✓ Uji Matcha Chocolate ✓ Pino
Halal Chocolates in Japan : Photos from Morinaga PARM
Made free from non-halal ingredients, Morinaga’s chocolate ice creams are going to be your summer favorite! Or anytime favorites, if cold winters don’t stop you.
Where To Buy Morinaga Ice Cream | 森永アイスクリーム
Pretty much everywhere in Japan from convenience stores to supermarkets.
8. Godiva Chocolates
It’s hard to not think about Godiva when we speak of chocolates.
This luxury chocolate brand is crafted with the finest ingredients and is the official chocolatier of the Royal Court of Belgium.
Locals in Belgium are also fond of them, I saw how crowded the store was in Brussels!
Godiva’s signature chocolate truffles (such decadent delicacies!), biscuits and beverages are made without non-halal ingredients like pork derivatives and alcohol. However, selected items available in Japan like mousses, cakes and seasonal releases may contain gelatin or alcohol.
Halal Chocolates in Japan : Photos from Godiva
While Godiva isn’t certified in Japan, its core chocolate products are halal in many countries including Europe.
Where To Buy Godiva Chocolates | ゴディバチョコレート
Shop online at Godiva’s official store here or visit any of its stores within Japan.
9. Toblerone Chocolates
Toblerone is a legendary Swiss chocolatier making its iconic triangular-shaped chocolates since 1908. Today, it is available worldwide, though in limited locations within Japan.
But hey, it’s 2022! You can get it delivered with a few taps on your phone *wink
Toblerone offers a few chocolate variations but its classic bestseller is the Milk Chocolate with bits of honey and almond nougat that gives it a different textural experience.
(Personally, I prefer Dark Chocolate as the former can be a little too sweet for me.)
Halal Chocolates in Japan : Photo from Toblerone
Toblerone’s production factory in Bern, Switzerland has been officially certified halal by Europe’s Halal Control since 2018. Long-time Toblerone lovers don’t worry, the chocolate’s recipe hasn’t changed since its early days. It has always been Muslim-friendly.
Just make sure it’s made in Switzerland and you’re good.
Where To Buy Toblerone Chocolates | ゴディバチョコレート
Shop online at Amazon or National Azabu if you’re in Tokyo. Toblerone has also been spotted in Kaldi and imported food sections in supermarkets or department stores.
Conclusion
I hope you chocoholics find this comprehensive list of halal chocolates in Japan helpful!
Unlike halal food restaurants and Muslim-friendly shops in Japan, off-the-shelf consumer products with large-scale production are harder to work out as the government does not oversee halal certifications.
Trust that I’ve checked ingredients and cross-checked with multiple Muslim sources to the best of my ability. But if there’s anything that you’d like to add or feedback on, please let me know in the comments below! Chocolate is such a universally loved treat that no one should miss out on no matter where you are living or traveling at.
FAQ
What Does Japanese Chocolate Taste Like?
Japanese chocolates taste sweeter – though not as sweet as chocolates in the US. Chocolate tastes different across the world. This depends on where it’s cultivated and how it’s made to cater to local demands. Generally in Japan, milder sweeter chocolates are preferred.
What Chocolate Is Popular In Japan?
Milk chocolate is the most popular type of chocolate in Japan. This is proven by a survey done in 2020 among local consumers in Japan. Dark chocolate is also a favorite, based on the sheer amount of bitter or dark varieties in the Japanese chocolate industry.
Is Kit Kat Halal?
Unfortunately, Kit Kat is not halal in Japan. This is because some are made with alcohol or non-halal animal-based ingredients, which then contaminate the entire production line. Nestle has also stated that Kit Kat Japan is not Muslim-friendly. However, it is certified halal in some countries like Australia and Malaysia with different manufacturing processes.
Is Tokyo Banana Halal?
Sadly, Japan’s favorite souvenir Tokyo Banana is not halal in Japan. Its original banana-shaped cream-filled sponge cake as well as several other variations are made with non-halal ingredients like bovine gelatin and alcohol.
What Is Halal In Japanese?
You can say halal in Japanese like this: ha-raa-ru , or ハラール in writing.
