What is Tokyo Banana?
For the uninitiated, Tokyo Banana or 東京ばな奈 is a type of Japanese sponge cake manufactured by Grapestone Co. Since it started being sold in stores in 1991, it's become one of the must-buy snacks from Japan. What many travellers are attracted to is the cream inside the cake which is made using strained banana puree and the soft texture of the cake. Tokyo Banana is mostly found in the snack shops at Japanese airports and at major souvenir shops in Tokyo. [P.S. Travelling to Tokyo? Make sure you check out our ultimate list of halal Japanese food in Tokyo!]Are Tokyo Banana products halal?
Besides the Tokyo Banana Original Flavour (pictured above) which is most widely known, there are also many other variants and products from the same company. Whether or not they are halal varies between products. Unfortunately, the Tokyo Banana Original Flavour is not halal as it contains gelatine from bovine (cow) and a small percentage of alcohol. If you look at the ingredients list on the packaging, you'd most likely be able to spot this - ゼラチン (gelatine) and this - 洋酒 (liquor). #HHWT Tip: As a rule of thumb, do avoid the items filled with cream/custard as they are most likely to have gelatine and/or liquor.Here's a list of products that contain gelatine and/or alcohol (complete with pictures!):
P.S. Scroll down for a list of Muslim-friendly products!1. Tokyo Banana (Original Flavour)
2. Tokyo Banana (Honey Flavour)
3. Tokyo Banana Racco (Coffee Milk Flavour)
4. Tokyo Banana Raisin Sandwich Cookies
Products without alcohol and gelatine but have unverified ingredients:
Note: These Tokyo Banana products do not contain alcohol or gelatine but we can’t verify the source of the refinement modified fat either. Do purchase them at your own discretion!1. Tokyo Banana Pie
At first glance, the Tokyo Banana Pie might not look like much except for the fact that it reminds you of banana fruit. But this puff pastry cookie actually consists of butter pastry dough and banana biscuit dough which pairs perfectly well together. With each bite of this delicate and flaky pie, you'll be able to taste the rich flavours of butter and banana. Note: This Tokyo Banana product does not contain alcohol or gelatine but we can’t verify the source of the refinement modified fat either. Do purchase them at your own discretion!2. Ginza Sweet Heart Tree langue de chat Cookie Strawberry "Syally Mate"
This milk chocolate cookie reminds you of the Strawberry Cake from Ginza as it looks just the same except that it's in cookie form. The crispy thin cookies and the strawberry chocolate will melt in your mouth. Some travellers have even compared the taste to Strawberry Pocky! Note: This Tokyo Banana product does not contain alcohol or gelatine but we can’t verify the source of the refinement modified fat either. Do purchase them at your own discretion!3. Tokyo Banana Gaufrette
If cookies are not for you, then try these Tokyo Banana Gaufrettes instead! They are crispy wafers with sweet banana cream and they are really huge too, around the size of your palm. These gaufrettes come in two fillings - banana and chocolate banana cream - but both are sure to delight your taste buds! Note: This Tokyo Banana product does not contain alcohol or gelatine but we can’t verify the source of the refinement modified fat either. Do purchase them at your own discretion!Muslim-friendly products
The following products are alcohol and gelatine-free and we've checked to the best of our ability that they don't contain any animal derivatives. But as they are not officially halal-certified, we advise you to buy them at your own discretion! Disclaimer: Do note that we are not a certifying body and that the information we have derived is from checking the ingredients on Tokyo Banana's official website and from multiple sources online. P.S. You can also head over to the official Tokyo Banana product list on their website to read the list of ingredients for each product.1. Tokyo Banana Castella Cake
Shaped like a banana and topped with sugar, the Tokyo Banana Castella Cake is a soft and fluffy sponge cake that has subtle hints of banana flavour. Price: JPY648 (4 pcs), JPY1134 (8 pcs), JPY1728 (12 pcs)2. Tokyo Banana Castella Cake (Maple Flavour)
3. The Strawberry Cake from Ginza
For those of you who are not a fan of bananas, perhaps this might excite you more instead! This fluffy sponge cake is filled with rich strawberry jam and cream. As you'd expect, they are shaped like strawberries too and every bite will leave you with strawberry goodness. Price: JPY560 (4 pcs), JPY1080 (8 pcs), JPY1620 (12 pcs)4. Almond Caramel Sand
Tags:japanjapanese-foodmuslim-friendly-souvenirstokyo-banana
