This post is also available in: 日本語
Written by Ali-san
The Cafeteria of the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Beppu, Oita has become amongst the few cafeterias in Japan to be Halal Certified. The cafeteria has attained the Halal Certification from the Nippon Asia Halal Association and aims to serve the student body of around 500 Muslim Students in the university.
When students come to Japan, they not only have difficulty in getting used to the Japanese food, but also in finding the Halal food. A lack of knowledge on the Kanji and awareness poses this issue for many and there are hundreds of students who live in Japan but have no idea on how great the Japanese cuisine is. The APU Cafeteria addresses this issue with its Halal Food menus.
The menu is extensive and offers are variety of the cuisines keeping up with the spirit of the multicultural environment of APU. The Fried Eggplant, Green Thai Curry, Curry Rice and Karage (Japanese styled fried chicken) are a few of the top Halal dishes being sold. Roughly, about 35 Halal dishes are served.
Moreover, separate arrangements to prepare and serve these products like different fryers, pots, pans, spoons, plates, etc and even a separate dish washer has been installed in the APU Cafeteria. The extent to which, the halal norms are being adhered in the APU Cafeteria is remarkable.
Looking at the far sightedness and the steps that APU is taking to make life easier for not just Muslim students but for students from around 80 countries, makes me proud to be a part of this university. I would recommend the APU cafeteria to all those coming down to Beppu or even Oita for a trip. After all, it is a sign of the hospitality or omotenashi of the Japanese.
About Ritsumeikan APU
https://www.halalmedia.jp/archives/1204/shape-world-ritsumeikan-asia-pacific-university/
