An irresistible vanilla yogurt

One of my favorite yogurts in Japan is "vanirayouguruto - バニラヨーグルト" or vanilla yogurt in english. It is creamy and really delicious. Really an irresistible yogurt. For the price, it is sold around 200 yen for 3 pots but if go shopping on a sale day, you can find it much cheaper (150 yen).
Its ingredients are powder milk, sugar, eggs, agar and flavors (乳製品、砂糖、卵黄、寒天、香料).
More information in Japanese: http://www.nipponluna.co.jp/products/yog_01/vani.html

Topvalue/Bestprice shokupan

I have already written a post about Bestprice bread by Topvalue to say that all the ingredients of this bread are from plants except of course milk. Now, I deleted it and replaced it with this post.

I received an email from a muslim sister living in Japan telling me that Topvalue uses margarine containing pork fat in the trays of the bread for baking.

A sister living in Gifu asked Topvalue, they said that there are many factories of Topvalue in Japan, each one uses its own ingredients. If you want to be sure about the ingredients of the bread and the type of margarine used for the trays, you need to call the topvalue factory in your area.


At the end, the factory in the area of Gifu uses only margarine containing ingredients from plants in the tray and no animal ingredients in the bread except milk.

One of my friends who can speak Japanese called the factory in Tsukuba and asked them about the margarine used in the trays. We live in Tsukuba. The company said that margarine containing pork fat is used in the trays of the bread for baking.


This is the list of the ingredients of Bestprice bread by Topvalue in japanese, as you can see, there is no information about the type of margarine used in the trays for baking:

小麦粉、砂糖混合ぶどう糖果糖液糖、マーガリン（大豆を含む）、イースト、食塩、砂糖、脱脂粉乳、発酵種（乳成分を含む）、乳化剤（乳成分を含む）、酢酸Ｎａ、イーストフード（小麦を含む）、香料（乳成分を含む）、ビタミンＣ、カロテノイド色素

Coop, a convenient way to have grocery delivered to your home

Coop (or Co-op) is a Japanese Consumer Co-operative, the largest consumer union in Japan. For more information, this is their website in english: http://jccu.coop/eng/

This is a list of all coops in japan:

• コープとうきょう (tokyo)
  
• さいたまコープ (saitama)
  
• ちばコープ (chiba)
  
• いばらきコープ (ibaraki)
  
• とちぎコープ (tochigi)
  
• コープながの (nagano)
  
• コープぐんま (gunma)
  
• コープにいがた (niigata)
  
• コープネット事業連合 (official website of coop)
  

After you enter the coop website of where you live, click on Co-op Deli link to go to the online shop website.
This is coop of niigata: http://niigata.coopnet.or.jp/index.php
Ibaraki coop: http://ibaraki.coopnet.or.jp/

You need first to join coop by registering using their website(in japanese): https://f.coopnet.or.jp/webapp/form/11881_zor_7/index.do?ref=9

Then a person will call you to take an appointment with you (japanese only). The person will come to your house and give you some papers to fill in, you need to give them your bank account number.

Once a week you can make an order (bread, butter roll and anything else you need), the items will be delivered to you the next week. Each week they will give you the catalog containing what they are selling and the order form. Each item in the catalog has a number, to order write the number of the desired item (for example the number of the butter rolls) on the order form with the quantity (how many do you want to take) and give it to the person of Coop the next week he will come to your house.

The shipping fees are not exceeding 200 yen. If you have a child under 3years old, the shipment will be free of charge.

Oishii shokupan by Seven eleven (おいしい食パン）

It is sold at Seven Eleven convenience stores.
This bread contains margarine. Some of my friends (we live in Tsukuba) asked about the margarine, it is from plants. But each factory of bread of 7/11 uses its own ingredients. To be sure you need to call 7/11 factory bread in your area.

Japanese sweet Potato

Japanese sweet potato is called in Japanese Satsumaimo. Satsumaimo potatoes are mainly harvested in fall. Satsumaimo have dark-pink skin and are slightly sweet.Satsumaimo are sold fresh at grocery stores and are also used to make shochu (distilled liquor) in Japan.

Satsumaimo is a common ingredients for tempura. Also, adding diced satsumaimo when cooking steamed rice makes imo-gohan (satsuma-imo rice). Usually, satsuma-imo are used to make desserts or snacks.

Easy ways to cook are grilling or steaming. Grilled satsuma-imo is called yakiimo. Grilled/steamed satsumaimo are simple but are popular snacks in autumn/winter in Japan. Candied satsuma-imo, called daigaku-imo, are also delicious snacks. Japanese sweet potato cakes are simply called sweet potato. Sweet potato cakes are usually oval shaped and are golden yellow.

Sweet potato is very cheap in this period in Japan, in addition, it is very nutritious. So I decided to try this recipe (Sweet Southern Potato Casserole Recipe) with some modifications. It was very delicious.
I forgot to take a photo, hehe.

Potato Casserole Recipe

Ingredients:

3 cups sweet potatoes, boiled & mashed
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup whole milk
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shredded coconut


preheat your oven to 350 F, or 175 C.

In a large bowl- mix together the sweet potatoes, eggs, milk, white
sugar, vanilla extract, coconut & butter. Scoop into your favorite baking dish.

Spread some sugar on top of sweet potato mash and you're ready to bake your
casserole for 30 minutes.

"Morning Selection" bread

I received this information

"We bought by accident the bread called Morning Selection.

We asked the company and unfortunately it contains animal fat"

This is the photo of the bread

Mugi-cha

Roasted barley tea is the best drink for summer, called also mugi-cha in japan (麦茶), it is a popular tisane made from roasted barley. In Japan, it is regarded as a summer beverage. Many people in Japan believe that mugicha helps to cleanse the body.

You can buy prepared mugi-cha from shops, but I prefer to prepare it at home. I bought a bag of roasted barley (198yen, topvalue brand), the bag contains 52 small bags. I put one small bag in 1.5l of water and put it in the fridge for about 1 or 2 hours and the mugi-cha is ready.

You can give mugi-cha to children, it has no side effects. In the nursery school where my son is, they start to give mugi-cha from age 6 months. In shops specialized with baby food, it is possible to find mugi-cha for babies.

My Japanese home stay family and my food

My first home stay experience in Japan was two years ago with a warm family. Although they hosted several foreigners in the past, they have never been in contact with a Muslim person. As many Japanese, their only experience with Islam was through TV or newspapers. Media is not always trustful source of information. Although, it is easy and practical way for widening our knowledge, it can be responsible of negative stereotypes and prejudices.

First, when I applied, I had to specify in the form my religion. Furthermore, in the same form they asked whether I have restrictions in food. At the beginning, I was not going to mention my preferences in food. I said to myself that I will try to avoid eating food that are suspicious to me and have sweets and cracks in my bag in case I find nothing to eat. Eating sweets and cracks for two days will not kill me, I can bear that. Furthermore, I am going for the cultural and social purposes. Food is not my priority along this home stay experience. But, I changed my mind; I want to enjoy Japanese homemade food!! Therefore, I mentioned that I would greatly appreciate if alcoholic drinks and meat are withdrawn from my meals.

Few days later, I received feedback from the host family. They accepted my application. Moreover, they included a questionnaire: “Do you drink milk?”, “Do you eat cheese?”, “Do you eat raw fish?”, “If we cook a soup with meat than we remove meat, can you eat the soup?”…

Oh!! So many details!! They could compete Ghada and Hafidha in their accurate selections of Halal Japanese products, just joking :) ! I really didn’t want to cause so much disturb! I am kind of person who does not feel comfortable in giving requests to unknown people. Having no choice, I replied to their questionnaire and politely thanked them for their care. To be continued…

Miso soup

Few weeks ago, my husband saw his friend buying Miso paste (a fermented soybean paste originating in Japan). Since we are here in Japan, we have never tried miso soup, so he asked me if I want to try. My answer was NO, NO, NO!!!
But after searching about the health benefits of Miso paste, I changed my mind. This is what I have found:

• Because Miso is fermented with a B12-synthesizing bacteria, miso has been commonly recommended as a B12 source for vegans.
• Miso is quite high in sodium (1 ounce contains 52% of the recommended daily value for sodium), but a little miso goes a long way towards providing your daily needs for the trace minerals zinc, manganese, and copper.
• A single tablespoon of miso contains 2 grams of protein for just 25 calories. An impressive nutrient profile for a flavoring agent!
• Miso's Minerals Support Immune Function, Energy Production, Bones and Blood Vessels
• Protection Against Breast Cancer

After knowing all these benefits, no way I can say no to Miso.

The Miso I am using is called 純正こうじみそ (jyunsei-kouji-miso). This one is Halal, it contains only soybean, rice, and salt. As you see, no preservatives or additives which means more healthy (BTW, I am trying to avoid eating products that contain long term harmful additives).

Miso soup is very easy to make, just take a cup of warm water and add 1 table spoon of miso paste, then you can add the mixture to a vegetable soup, to noodles, or just drink it as it is.
For more information about Miso, see the following website: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=114#healthbenefits

A Few Quick Serving Ideas: (from the previous website)

• Miso soup is quick and easy to prepare. Heat miso paste and water over low-medium heat. Eat as is or add in some traditional fixings including shiitake mushrooms, tofu, scallions, burdock, carrots, and daikon radish.

• Miso-tahini sandwiches are one of our favorites. To make your own, just spread miso on a piece of bread and then top with tahini. Enjoy as is or add sliced avocado.

• Use miso as an ingredient in marinades for meat, fish, poultry or game.

• Carry dried miso soup packets with you and enjoy them as a pick-me-up coffee substitute.

• Combine a little miso with olive oil, flax seed oil, ginger and garlic to make an Asian-inspired dressing that can be used on salads or cold grain dishes.

Halal Milk for babies

Few months ago some muslim women asked me about halal baby milk. A japanese mulim woman helped us to get more information about the baby milk prouced in Japan.

Unfortunately, the only confirmed halal milk for babies we know is "Chirumiru" of Morinaga: from (9months to 3 years)(http://www.hagukumi.ne.jp /products/chirumiru/chirumiru .shtml)

The japanese sister, asked the maker Morinaga about "HAGUKUMI" suitable for newborn until 9 months, this is Morinaga answer:

"Lecithin is from soy bean, but unfortunately, Hagukumi contains enzyme from pork (or lard)."

The milk of Meiji is Haram (confirmed form ingredients).

All the other brands could not confirm if their products are halal. The japanese sister has asked both of Bean Stalk Snow (group comapny of Yukijirushi) and Wakoudou (group company of Asahi Beer) about their baby milk, unfortunately, their replies were not satisfactory.

Both of them said that as ingredients, haram materials are not included, but they do not have total control on the manufacturing process of their suppliers of ingredients. Enzyme or other ingredients may have been produced or extracted utilizing the material derived from pig.
Therefore they cannot guarantee if their products are halal and they request consumers who have religious restrictions shall not use their products.

If you want to use the baby milk for a baby from 0 month until 9 months and to be sure that the milk is confirmed Halal, I think the only choice you have is the soy milk baby formula, I do not know the brand names but I think it is easy to find it in the store. But, I have been told that soy milk is not good for baby health if used for long time.

I do not know if it is possible to import baby milk from Islamic countries but I think the muslim community here in Japan should consider this option since the only halal baby milk we know is "CHIRUMIRU" of Morinaga and it is only suitable for babies above 9 months.

Fish names in japanese and english

This is a useful list of fish names in japanese and english when you are shopping. (the list was taken from http://japanese.about.com)

sakana 魚	fish
kai 貝	shellfish
awabi あわび	abalone
ebi えび	shrimp
hamachi はまち	yellowtail
hirame ひらめ	sole
ika いか	squid
iwashi いわし	sardine
kaki カキ	oyster
kani かに	crab
karei かれい	flounder
katsuo かつお	bonito
maguro まぐろ	tuna
masu ます	trout
nishin にしん	herring
saba さば	mackerel
sake 鮭	salmon
tai 鯛	sea bream
tako たこ	octopus
tara たら	cod
unagi うなぎ	eel
uni うに	sea urchin

Fresh Vegetables in Tsukuba

Imagine you can find Farmers buying their fresh vegetables here in Tsukuba.

This fresh mini-market is in Namiki Park every Saturday morning. Namiki area is in the other side of AIST. You can take south direction in the Higashi Odori , after AIST you will find a benzene on the right side, the one in the picture.

Turn left and another left in the narrow street. after you pass the first bridge you will find this sign on right....

Turn right and go strait in this road till you find Namiki Shopping Center on the right side, and you will find the farmers in the left side. The official time for this fresh market is early morning from 10:00 to 12:00. Usually the farmers go their about 8:30 to 9:00. Remember to take bags with you, they are farmers so they don't have many bags to serve all.

You can spend a good time their with your family, there is a nice lake view and small area for children to enjoy playing.

Yamazaki Rolls (味付けﾛｰﾙ) are Haram

The following Yamazaki Rolls (味付けﾛｰﾙ) are not Halal (forbidden) because the margarine in not from a Halal source.
Please be careful from the margarine, it may contain fats from pig. Margarine is not always Halal.

All Pasco pans are Haram(forbidden)

I have bought Pasco Pan roll (超熟ロールパン) by mistake.



In the ingredients, there are no emulsifier or shortening, however there are "processed oils" in japanese "加工油". Processed oils may be haram if the source is from animal.

so, I wrote an email to Pasco to ask about the origin of the oils, but unfortunately, they said that they cannot answer my question.
this is their email:

Shortening and emulsifier are made from almost vegetable oil　on products of Pasco. Generally speaking, most bakery ingredients contain some amount of those items coming from animal fat, e.g. emulsifier, shortening, etc. Besides, it is very difficult to say what items are free from animal fat. We are very sorry we can not answer you exactly which items fit your needs because most of the Japanese bakery ingredients have great opportunities to contain animal fat or even have a chance of contamination in the ingredients.

so, I searched in the website of Pasco and this is what I found here http://www.pasconet.co.jp/community/index_faq.html

加工油脂は何の油ですか。

	私どもの商品に使用している「加工油脂」は、大豆油、パーム油、菜種油、コーン油、魚油、豚脂などの各種食用油脂を混合したマーガリンなどの製パン用油脂です。植物性の油脂のみ使用した場合と植物性と動物性を混合している場合があります。

the meaning of what is written in japanese is: " the processed oils in all Pasco Pan can contain vegetable oils and animal fats and precisely from pig and fish"
So as a conclusion, all products of Pasco are Haram(forbidden).

Some kinds of fish in Japan.. How to cook?

The first type ; Aji　 (あじ)
There are small and big Aji the small one is more taste and you can fry it after clean and put it with flour .
The price of packet around 100 – 200 yen .
Your can buy a good FISH from Kasumi or Jusco or market in Lala garden

Second type; SANMA (さんま)

This kind of fish is not for fry because it has fat and oil so you have to use the grill or oven to cook it but there is a notice put it at net of oven and in the plate under it put water to avoid the bad smile of fish. it is tasty and very good for health and it is famous in Japan in special season.
One piece of it around 50 – 100 yen

The third type; Iwashi (いわし)
The very small iwashi is the most taste and you can fry it .
One packet around 100-200 yen

The fourth type; Salmon （サーラムン）
It is with orange color and it is very very taste and you can put it at oven or grill 、Japanese people eat it for breakfast every day it is healthy .

You can find it at market like a small slice and each one cost 75-100 yen .

The fifth type; SABA (さば)

It is not small and very big and you can cut it and fry or by grill but Japanese cook it with sauce like boiled fish and I think it is better ,

The sixth type; The MAGRU (まぐろ)

It is the very big fish and it is famous in Japan they eat it with out cook for sashimi and you can cook it grill like KABAB or you cut it small piece and fry with onion and vegetables or tomato it is

like the meat of chicken in taste and it is sold by small pieces but it not cheap comparing with other types two or three piece 300-400 yen or more

The seventh type; SUZUKI すずき
It is a big one and it is good for grill and it is cost 400-500 yen

The eight type; bori ぶり
It is with small slice and it is to grill and it is tasty also three piece 300-400 yen

This kind u can grill it and Japanese cooked like boiled fish .
There is a small and big size and it is good for grill , it is tasty .

This is the most popular fish and there are a lot of kinds but I don’t know the names but I will add pictures,

This kind u can grill it and Japanese cooked like boiled fish .

Collected By sister Samar

Haram Ingredient List

While you are in Japan, you will find most of the progucts contents written in Japanese,

so this is most of Haram (not good to eat or drink as a Muslim) ingredients. If you find any of these items in any products so search for alternative.

click on the list Image to find out the whole list........

How to say in Japanese (In the Store)

Dose any one here speak English?
Eigo o hanasu hito wa imasu ka?
えいご　お　はなす　人　は　いますか。

I do not know how to use it.
Tsukai kata ga wakarimasen.
つかい　かた　が　わかりません。

It is expensive, make a discount
Takai desu ne. mousukoshi　yasukushite kudasai
たかいですね。もうすこし　やすくして　ください。

I will take / buy this
kore ni shimasu.　
これにします。

I will not take it
warui desukedo mata ni shimasu.
わるいですけどまたにします。

Could you wrap this one and this one separately
kore to kore betsubetsu ni tsutsunde kudasai
これ　と　これ　べつべつ（別々）に　つつんで（包んで）ください。

Do you have a cheaper/bigger one than this?
kore yori yasui/ooki no arimasuka.
これより　やすい（安い）／大きいのありますか？

Do you have it in different color?
kore no iro chigai arimasuka?
これ　の　いろ（色）　ちがい（違い）　ありますか？

Yukijirushi Neosoft Margarine (雪印ネオソフト)

The following margarine Yukijirushi Neosoft Margarine （雪印ネオソフト） is HALAL.
This is the ingredients contained in the margarine:

食用植物油脂、食用精製加工油脂、食塩、粉乳、乳化剤、香料、着色料（カロテン）、（原材料の一部に大豆を含む）

The nyukazai (乳化剤) and the purified oil (食用精製加工油脂) are from plants. Sister Amina jazaha Ellah kheiren for all her efforts called the company and asked about the ingredients.

So the Margarine is Halal