Mughal Shinjuku

Tucked on the second floor of the Phoenix Waseda building in Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku — just a one-minute walk from Waseda Station on the Toden Arakawa Line — MUGHAL Halal Indian Restaurant is one of Tokyo's most celebrated destinations for authentic East Indian and Mughlai cuisine. Run by a chef originally from Kolkata, this intimate 22-seat restaurant has earned a devoted following among Muslim residents, students, Indian expats, and food lovers across Tokyo who seek out the deeply layered, spice-forward cooking of the Indian subcontinent in a fully halal setting.

The restaurant takes its name from the great Mughal culinary tradition — the refined, aromatic cooking culture that flourished under the Mughal Empire and gave rise to some of the most beloved dishes in South Asian cuisine: biryanis, slow-cooked stews, kebabs, and rich rice preparations that balance warm spices with fragrant aromatics. At MUGHAL, this tradition is expressed through the lens of East Indian — particularly Kolkata — cooking, resulting in a menu that feels both historically grounded and distinctly regional.

The undisputed star of the menu is biryani, and the restaurant offers several exceptional renditions. The Kolkata Biryani — a fragrant, layered preparation of rice and curry sauce finished in a sealed pot — is the signature, and it sells out regularly, making early visits advisable for those who have travelled specifically for it. The Hyderabad Biryani, made with carefully selected rice and a refined blend of spices, is equally revered by diners from both India and Japan. Other biryani varieties include Mutton Roast Biriyani, Kolkata Mutton Biriyani, Shami Kebab Biriyani, Chicken Lollipop Biriyani, and a Paneer Pasandida Biriyani for vegetarians. Beyond biryani, the menu is a rich showcase of Indian cooking — Nihari (a deeply aromatic slow-cooked meat stew), Haleem, Mutton Dum Pokht, Chicken Mandi, Tandoori Chicken Charga, Tandoori Mix Grill, Kati Roll (the beloved Kolkata street food), Pulao, Butter Chicken Curry, and Malai Kofta all feature, making it a remarkably broad menu for a restaurant of its intimate size. Diners have singled out the Nihari, Kolkata Biryani, Hyderabad Biryani, and Lassi as particular highlights.

The interior is colourful and casually playful — wall paintings of blue skies and a deliberately eclectic design create what the restaurant describes as the feeling of "a toy box turned upside down," deliberately avoiding uniformity. The vibe is warm, casual, and welcoming, suited equally to family outings, casual dinners with friends, and date nights. An elevator is available, making it accessible for families with strollers. No alcohol is served — in its place, the restaurant offers a range of homemade lassi, freshly made mango lassi, and a traditional Mughal-style spice chai brewed without milk, making it halal-friendly for all diners including children. Vegetarian options are available across the menu. The owner Abid is noted for his warm personal attentiveness, frequently drawing praise from diners.