From bustling shopping malls to value-for-money discount stores, we definitely miss the shopping experience in Japan. While we're pausing our travel plans to Japan until the situation gets better, there's no better time to relive your favourite shopping moments at the newly opened JONETZ by Don Don Donki Malaysia! Situated in Kuala Lumpur, here's a sneak peek of the halal food you can find at this awesome concept store ?
What is JONETZ by Don Don Donki?
- Situated at Lot 10 Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur, this is the first JONETZ by Don Don Donki store in Malaysia.
- JONETZ meaning 'passionate' in Japanese, this concept store is part of Japan's famous discount chain retailer, Don Don Donki.
- JONETZ by Don Don Donki has 3 floors dedicated to snacks and groceries, fresh produce and meats, as well as home and living
- As of March 2021, their opening hours are 8AM-12AM daily (queue cut-off time is 10PM). The store will resume their 24-hour operating hours once the Movement Control Order has been lifted.
How to find halal food at JONETZ by Don Don Donki Malaysia?
- All ingredients are listed in English and it includes a remark if the product contains alcohol and/or pork
- Some products also have a 'no pork and no alcohol' sticker next to the product label
- For halal-certified products, look out for the halal logo on the product
Halal food at JONETZ by Don Don Donki Malaysia
- Since most products at JONETZ by Don Don Donki Malaysia are imported from Japan, there are limited selections of halal-certified products at the store.
- The good news is, the Malaysian government is aiming to promote more Malaysian products, especially halal products, at JONETZ by Don Don Donki Malaysia.
- Here's a list of halal food and drinks we've found at JONETZ by Don Don Donki Malaysia so far!
1. Halal wagyu, yakiniku and other meats
- Find a variety of halal-certified meats that are imported from Japan!
- It includes Japanese beef for tenderloin steak and yakiniku, Shiga oumi beef, beef chuck roll, and more.
- All imported meats come with a halal slaughter certificate for export from NPO Japan Halal Association.
Halal status: All meats have a halal slaughter certificate for export from NPO Japan Halal Association
Price: RM29 - RM178 per pack
2. Nissin instant noodles
- Spot a variety of Nissin instant noodles including flavours like Tokyo Shoyu, Kyushu Black, and Hokkaido Miso
- Do note that the store also sells non-halal Nissin noodles, and we recommend checking for halal logo before purchasing them.
Halal status: Certified halal by MUI (Majelis Ulama Indonesia)
Price: RM15.50 for a pack of five
3. Organic matcha powder
- Recreate a traditional Japanese matcha experience at home with this halal-certified JAS organic matcha powder
- There are other Japanese matcha brands (without a halal logo) available at the store, and we recommend checking the ingredients before purchasing them
Halal status: Certified halal by Nippon Asia Halal Association
Price: Starts at RM19.90
4. Instant miso soup
- If you love miso soup, the store sells halal-certified Marukome instant miso soup that comes with wakame seaweed.
- There are other instant miso soups (without a halal logo) available at the store, and we recommend checking the ingredients before purchasing them.
Halal status: Certified halal by The Central Islamic Committee of Thailand
Price: Starts at RM6.90
5. Japanese buckwheat noodles
- If you're planning to cook Japanese style buckwheat noodles at home, you can get this halal-certified brand from the store
Halal status: Certified halal by Nippon Asia Halal Association
Price: Starts at RM6.90
6. Kokusan Genryo Zarusoba
- You can also stock up on halal-certified Kokusan Genryo Zarusoba at the store.
Halal status: Certified halal by Nippon Asia Halal Association
Price: Starts at RM12.90
7. Zeitaku Chasoba noodles
- Another option is the halal-certified Zeitaku Chasoba Noodles that are made from Japanese green tea!
Halal status: Certified halal by Nippon Asia Halal Association
Price: Starts at RM12.90
8. Halal Mentsuyu sauce
- While stocking up on soba noodles, complement your purchase with halal Mentsuyu noodle sauce.
Halal status: Certified halal by Nippon Asia Halal Association
Price: Starts at RM25.50 per bottle
9. Puru Puru Acerola konjac jelly
- Treat yourself to a few packets of Puru Puru Acerola konjac jelly that comes in flavours like matcha, grape, and apple
Halal status: Certified halal by Nippon Asia Halal Association
Price: Starts at RM8.50
10. Seasonal fruits
- Shop for Japanese's famous seasonal fruits that includes Fuji apple, Japan kumquat, Japanese citrus, and melons.
- Look out for the Japanese seasonal fruit calendar to know the kind of fruits they'll be selling throughout the year
- We visited the store in March and were greeted by a variety of strawberries, Japanese mandarin oranges, and apples!
Price: Starts at RM6.60
11. Fresh strawberries
- The store is famous for their fresh imported strawberries that are only available from early December to early April.
- Some of the fresh strawberries are imported from Kumamoto, and this type of strawberries are known for its balance of sweet and sour taste
- Their best-selling Japanese Awayuki white strawberries sold out within a week after the store's grand opening!
Price: Starts at RM39
12. Fresh vegetables
- The store sells seasonal Japanese vegetables imported from the farms in Hokkaido, Aomori, Kagoshima, and Kumamoto in Japan.
- Stock up on imported onions, carrots, and pumpkins for your next home-cooked meal.
Price: Starts at RM5.90
13. Baked sweet potatoes
- Don't forget to try JONETZ by Don Don Donki's famous Yakiimo baked sweet potatoes that are imported from Japan!
- It's naturally sweet and makes a good post-shopping snack!
Price: RM5 per piece
Other products that contain no pork and no alcohol
- We've also found a few food items that contain no pork, no lard and no alcohol at the store.
- Do note that these food items are not halal-certified, and we've added a disclaimer for each product.
1. Ichiran Ramen
- The store sells two versions of Ichiran Ramen, one with pork and another without pork
- Ichiran has made a disclaimer that the no pork Ichiran Ramen does not use halal meat (chicken and beef) and they have stated that this is not a halal ramen
Halal status: Not halal-certified. Although the food item contains no pork and no alcohol, it does not use halal meat
2. Ramen Honolu
- Produced by Honolu Ramen, the first halal ramen restaurant in Osaka, the instant noodles contain no pork, no lard and no alcohol.
- According to Halal Navi, all Honolu Ramen restaurants in Japan are halal-certified, but this product has yet to be certified as halal.
Halal status: Not halal-certified, but the product contains no pork, no lard and no alcohol. We recommend that you consume at your own discretion.
If you're planning a shopping trip this weekend, we hope this shopping guide will be useful in finding halal food and drinks at JONETZ by Don Don Donki Malaysia!
Address: Lot 10 Shopping Centre, G8 G11, F8 F18, S8 S16, 50 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Open daily; 8AM-12AM (the store will resume its 24-hour operating hours after MCO ends)
Getting there: Take the train and stop at MRT Pavilion Bukit Bintang