Halal Japanese Curry in Kuala Lumpur: 2026 Guide (2 Verified Spots)

Quick Answer: As of May 2026, two Japanese curry restaurants are still verified halal or Muslim-friendly in Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley: Sun-San Curry (rebranded from Ken-Chan Curry; halal-certified across multiple branches including NU Sentral, Pavilion KL, Lot 10, and Mid Valley) and YAYOI Japanese Teishoku (JAKIM-certified, Lot 10 and The Gardens). Three previously listed venues — Curee at Jalan Imbi, Sakae Sushi, and Yoshinoya Hanamaru — have since closed in Malaysia and are no longer available.

✅ Halal-Verified by Zeshan Hayat
Lead Halal Auditor, Halal Navi · Founder, HHAJ (Halal Hayat Association Japan, 2020)
Credentials: MPJA Halal Auditor · ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor · ISO 19011 Auditor
See full credentials and audit methodology →**Written by** Aisha Rahman, Halal Navi Editorial Team
**Published** May 14, 2026 · **Last verified** May 15, 2026
**Status of every chain reviewed against** JAKIM's Halal Malaysia Directory (halal.gov.my), the chain's own current website, and recent Tabelog or Google Maps reviews dated within the past six months. Outlet locations re-verified through each restaurant's official website in May 2026.

How we verified the halal status of every restaurant in this guide

For each restaurant in this guide, we checked four sources before recommending it:

1. JAKIM's Halal Malaysia Directory at halal.gov.my, which is the official halal-certification register operated by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia).
2. The restaurant's current official website, including its outlet list and any halal statement.
3. Recent customer reviews on Google Maps and Foodpanda dated within the past six months, to confirm each branch is still operating.
4. Direct inquiry to the restaurant where documentation was ambiguous, especially for any "Muslim-friendly" claim that did not carry a JAKIM certificate.

We re-verify this list every quarter. If you spot anything that has changed since our last check, please contact our editorial team and we will update within seven days.

A reminder of what JAKIM certification actually means in Malaysia: JAKIM is the only authority that can issue an official halal certificate (Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia) in Malaysia. Phrases such as "Muslim-friendly", "no pork no lard", or "halal ingredients" are not equivalent to JAKIM certification, and you should treat them as a lower confidence tier than a JAKIM sijil.

What makes Japanese curry different from Malaysian or Indian curry

Japanese curry (カレー, karē) is sweeter, thicker, and milder than the curries most Malaysians grew up with. It typically uses a roux base of flour and fat, simmered with onions, carrots, potatoes, and a curry-spice blend, then served over Japanese short-grain rice. The flavour profile leans toward umami and gentle sweetness, often with a hint of fruit such as apple or honey in the recipe.

For Muslim diners, the halal questions for Japanese curry usually centre on three ingredients: the curry roux (some commercial roux contain pork-derived fats or lard), the stock or dashi (mirin and cooking sake are common, both of which are alcoholic), and the protein toppings (katsu, karaage, gyu). A JAKIM-certified outlet will have addressed all three. A Muslim-friendly outlet typically swaps the roux and proteins for halal-sourced versions but may still need to clarify whether mirin is used.

Sun-San Curry: halal-certified, the most accessible option in KL

Halal status: ✅ Halal-certified (per the chain's own marketing across all outlets)
Last verified: May 15, 2026
Brand note: Sun-San Curry is the rebranded name for what was previously known as Ken-Chan Curry. The chain, outlets, menu, and halal-certification posture continue under the new brand. If you arrive at a mall expecting "Ken-Chan", look for the Sun-San signage at the same location.

Sun-San Curry is the most widely available halal-certified Japanese curry chain in the Klang Valley, with branches in major malls across Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Putrajaya, and beyond. Outlets include NU Sentral, Pavilion Bukit Bintang, Lot 10, Mid Valley Megamall, 1 Utama, Paradigm Mall, IOI City Mall Putrajaya, Pavilion Bukit Jalil, AEON Mall Taman Maluri, AEON Mall Nilai, Bloomsvale Shopping Gallery, and Lalaport BBCC, among others. Confirm the current full outlet list on the chain's official website before visiting any specific branch, as the rebrand may include site-URL changes.

Their best-selling Chicken Katsu Omelette Curry Rice combines a crisp breaded chicken cutlet with a soft Japanese-style omelette over rice and a sweet-savoury curry sauce. The chain has also introduced a Sour Spicy Fusion Feast series that blends Japanese curry with Nyonya asam pedas flavours, available chain-wide.

A note on certification scope: while Sun-San Curry actively markets itself as halal-certified and operates pork-free across all locations, you should still glance at the JAKIM Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia displayed at the counter on the day of your visit. Some Sun-San outlets sit inside food courts (for example, the Signature Food Court at Suria KLCC) where the surrounding premise itself may not hold an independent JAKIM cert even if the Sun-San counter does. When in doubt, ask staff to show you their sijil.

Quick Facts (verified 2026-05-15)
- Address (NU Sentral branch): Level 3, Food Court QUIZINN, NU Sentral, 201 Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
- Nearest station: KL Sentral (KTM/LRT/MRT/Monorail), connected via covered walkway
- Hours: Mall hours, typically 10:00–22:00 daily (verify per outlet)
- Reservations: No, walk-in food-court counter
- Price range: RM15–RM35 per curry set (Malaysian Ringgit, tax incl.)
- Halal cert: Marketed as halal-certified; confirm sijil displayed at counter (May 2026)
- Sources: Halal Navi restaurant database, JAKIM Halal Malaysia Directory at halal.gov.my

YAYOI Japanese Teishoku Restaurant: JAKIM-certified set meals

Halal status: ✅ JAKIM-certified (per JAKIM's Halal Malaysia Directory listing)
Last verified: May 15, 2026

YAYOI is one of Japan's largest teishoku chains, with over 300 locations in Japan. Its Malaysian operation is run by YAYOI MALAYSIA SDN BHD and holds JAKIM halal certification, which means the chain's premises and supply chain have passed the Halal Malaysia audit process.

Teishoku (定食) means "set meal" — typically rice, miso soup, a main dish, pickled vegetables, and small sides served together on one tray. For curry lovers, YAYOI's Chicken Katsu Curry pairs a crisp breaded chicken cutlet with a thick Japanese curry sauce over rice, and the menu also offers Chicken Karaage Curry and Ebifry (breaded prawn) Curry. From 13 February 2025, the chain has run a weekday Value Menu at RM16.90 (Monday–Friday, 11:00–15:00, excluding public holidays), with free refillable hojicha, per the chain's official news page.

Klang Valley diners can visit YAYOI at Lot 10 Shopping Centre (Bukit Bintang), The Gardens Mall in Mid Valley, Setia City Mall (Shah Alam), and Plaza Arkadia in Desa ParkCity, among others. Check the menu page for the current outlet list before visiting.

Quick Facts (verified 2026-05-15)
- Address (Lot 10 branch): Lot P1-19, Level 4, Lot 10 Shopping Centre, 50 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
- Nearest station: Bukit Bintang (MRT Kajang Line / Monorail), approximately 5 min walk
- Hours: Mall hours, typically 10:00–22:00 daily; weekday Value Menu 11:00–15:00
- Reservations: Walk-in; large groups may call the outlet
- Price range: RM16.90 (weekday Value Menu) up to RM35–RM45 for premium teishoku sets (tax incl.)
- Halal cert: JAKIM-certified, listed in Halal Malaysia Directory under YAYOI MALAYSIA SDN BHD (confirmed May 2026)
- Sources: JAKIM Halal Malaysia Directory, yayoi.com.my

What happened to Curee, Sakae Sushi, and Yoshinoya Hanamaru in Malaysia

Earlier versions of this guide listed Curee at Jalan Imbi, Sakae Sushi, and Yoshinoya Hanamaru. We need to flag major changes for readers planning their 2026 visit.

Curee (Jalan Imbi) has closed. The Hokkaido-style soup curry cafe at 40 Jalan 1/77A is no longer in operation as of our May 2026 verification. If you encounter listings for Curee on aggregator sites or older blog posts, treat them as outdated. We are not aware of a replacement Hokkaido soup curry specialist in Kuala Lumpur as of this writing — if you know of one with a verifiable halal posture, please tell us and we will assess it for the next quarterly update.

Sakae Sushi has closed in Malaysia. The chain previously operated multiple outlets across Klang Valley shopping malls under APEX-PAL (M) SDN BHD, with select outlets historically holding per-outlet JAKIM Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia. The chain is no longer in operation in Malaysia. Any current listings claiming Sakae Sushi outlets in KL should be treated as outdated.

Yoshinoya Hanamaru exited Malaysia in 2021. The Mid Valley outlet closed in 2021, and by June 2021 there were zero Yoshinoya outlets remaining in Malaysia, according to KL Foodie, Free Malaysia Today, and Yoshinoya's own corporate listings. The closure was attributed to pandemic-era financial difficulty. Yoshinoya has since become halal-certified in Singapore (announced December 2024 per Mothership), but there is no public announcement of a return to Malaysia.

For a halal beef-bowl alternative in Kuala Lumpur, look for SUKIYA, the Japanese gyudon chain that operates in Malaysia and is listed on several halal menu directories. We are working on a separate guide for halal gyudon in Klang Valley.

Comparison: At-a-glance halal Japanese curry in Kuala Lumpur

How to use Grab and Foodpanda for halal Japanese curry delivery

Delivery is a strong option for Japanese curry in Kuala Lumpur. Sun-San Curry's NU Sentral branch and YAYOI's Klang Valley outlets are listed across Foodpanda and Grab Food. Search using the new "Sun-San" brand name; some delivery apps may still show the legacy "Ken-Chan" brand listing during the rebrand transition.

A practical tip: in the Grab and Foodpanda apps, you can filter restaurant listings by "Halal" tag, but the tag is set by the restaurant or the platform — it is not the same as JAKIM verification. If a delivery listing claims halal status but the restaurant itself is not on JAKIM's directory, treat the claim with caution. For chain restaurants, the safest move is to verify the chain on halal.gov.my first, then order delivery from that specific outlet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sun-San Curry halal-certified in Malaysia?

Sun-San Curry markets itself as halal-certified and operates entirely pork-free, with branches across major Klang Valley malls. The chain is the rebrand of Ken-Chan Curry, retaining the same outlets, menu, and halal-certification posture. You should still glance at the JAKIM Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia displayed at the counter on the day of your visit, particularly at outlets inside larger food courts where the surrounding premise may have a separate certification status.

Is "Sun-San Curry" the same chain as Ken-Chan Curry?

Yes. Sun-San Curry is the new brand name for what was previously called Ken-Chan Curry. The same operator, outlets, and menu continue under the rebrand. If you remember Ken-Chan from earlier years, you will find Sun-San at the same locations.

Is YAYOI Malaysia halal-certified?

Yes. YAYOI Malaysia (operated by YAYOI MALAYSIA SDN BHD) is listed in the Halal Malaysia Directory maintained by JAKIM. The chain serves no pork or alcohol and offers a weekday Value Menu at RM16.90 since 13 February 2025.

Where can I find Hokkaido soup curry that is halal in Kuala Lumpur?

Curee, the Hokkaido soup curry specialist that previously operated in the Imbi area, has closed. As of May 2026 we are not aware of a replacement halal Hokkaido soup curry venue in Kuala Lumpur. If you know of one with verifiable halal status, please contact us and we will evaluate it for the next quarterly update.

Why is Yoshinoya not on this 2026 list?

Yoshinoya Hanamaru closed all of its Malaysian outlets by June 2021, attributed to pandemic-era financial difficulty. Yoshinoya Holdings has not announced a return to Malaysia. The chain has since obtained halal certification in Singapore (December 2024), but that certification does not transfer to Malaysia.

What is the difference between "halal-certified" and "Muslim-friendly" in Malaysia?

Halal-certified in Malaysia specifically means the premise holds a Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia from JAKIM, MAIN, or JAIN, after passing a documented audit of ingredients, kitchen, suppliers, and staff training. "Muslim-friendly", "halal-sourced", and "no pork no lard" are self-declared phrases that have not been audited by JAKIM. JAKIM has publicly clarified that those phrases are not equivalent to halal certification.

How often does Halal Navi update this guide?

We re-verify every restaurant in this guide quarterly against JAKIM's Halal Malaysia Directory, each restaurant's current website, and recent customer reviews. The "Last verified" date at the top of each section reflects our most recent confirmation. The next scheduled review is August 2026.

Verdict

For 2026, the most reliable halal Japanese curry experience in Kuala Lumpur is Sun-San Curry (the rebranded Ken-Chan Curry), simply because it is the most widely available, actively halal-marketed, and easiest to reach by public transport. For a sit-down teishoku experience with confirmed JAKIM certification on file, YAYOI at Lot 10 or The Gardens is the strongest pick.

Three previously listed venues — Curee, Sakae Sushi, and Yoshinoya Hanamaru — are no longer operating in Malaysia and have been removed from this guide. If you are looking for a Hokkaido-style soup curry experience in particular, we currently do not have a verified halal alternative in Kuala Lumpur and will update this guide when one emerges.

One principle from our editorial standard worth repeating: eat halal-by-certification, not halal-by-omission. A restaurant that "doesn't serve pork" is not the same as a restaurant that has been audited by JAKIM. The two restaurants on this list are organised in that order of confidence, and we recommend you do the same when planning your visit.

For more verified halal restaurants across Kuala Lumpur and the rest of Malaysia, search the Halal Navi restaurant database — we list user-verified halal venues with prayer-room information and community reviews.

Sources & references

1. JAKIM Halal Malaysia Directory — halal.gov.my. Accessed May 15, 2026.
2. YAYOI Malaysia official site — yayoi.com.my. Accessed May 15, 2026.
3. YAYOI Malaysia Value Menu announcement — yayoi.com.my Value Menu page. Accessed May 15, 2026.
4. Halal Navi restaurant database — halal-navi.com. Accessed May 15, 2026.
5. Yoshinoya Hanamaru Malaysia closure — KL Foodie (Sept 2021). Accessed May 15, 2026.
6. Yoshinoya Hanamaru Malaysia closure — Free Malaysia Today (June 2023). Accessed May 15, 2026.
7. Yoshinoya corporate Wikipedia entry — en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshinoya. Accessed May 15, 2026.
8. Yoshinoya Singapore halal certification — Mothership (December 2024). Accessed May 15, 2026.

About this article

Author: Aisha Rahman is a pen name used by the Halal Navi editorial team to maintain consistency across our halal verification reporting. Editorial responsibility is held collectively by our Halal Verification Team and the Lead Halal Auditor named below.

Update policy: We re-verify every claim in this article quarterly against JAKIM's Halal Malaysia Directory, each restaurant's current website, and recent customer reviews. The next scheduled review is August 2026. If you spot outdated information, please contact us and we will correct it within seven days.

Disclosure: Halal Navi receives no advertising revenue from any restaurant mentioned in this article. The editorial selection above followed the same JAKIM-verification standard for all candidates considered.

Last verified: 2026-05-15