The Complete Ramadan & Eid Grocery Guide for Japan: Everything You Need for Sehri, Iftar & Eid

Ramadan is easier when your pantry is prepared before the month begins. A well-planned shopping list helps simplify Sehri, Iftar, and Eid cooking throughout the season.

This guide covers everything: what to stock before Ramadan starts, what works best for Sehri and Iftar, what to prepare for Eid, and where to order it all with delivery across Japan. Browse AL MODINA's Ramadan Essentials collection to start your shopping.

Stock Up Before Ramadan Starts

The first week of Ramadan is often the busiest time for grocery shopping, with tighter schedules and less time for last-minute purchases. Running out of essentials mid-month disrupts the rhythm of the entire month. Stocking up before Ramadan begins is the simplest way to avoid this.

The core pantry list to have ready:

• Dates - the most important Iftar essential. Stock a variety.

• Rice - basmati for biryani and festive meals, chinigura for special pulao

• Cooking oil and ghee - essential for all cooking throughout the month

• Dal and lentils - masur dal, chana dal, mung dal for soups and sides

• Spice mixes - biryani masala, haleem mix, garam masala

• Frozen ready-to-fry items - samosas, spring rolls for quick Iftar preparation

• Vermicelli / semai - for Eid morning dessert

Dates - The Centre of Every Iftar

Every Iftar begins with dates - but not all dates are the same. The variety you choose affects the sweetness, texture, and how satisfying the first bite of breaking the fast feels. Here is a quick guide to which variety works best for different preferences, followed by what is available for delivery in Japan.

Which Dates Are Best for Ramadan?

Ajwa - Small, dark, and soft with a rich, almost date-paste-like texture. Considered among the most spiritually significant dates in Islamic tradition. Best for those who want a premium, meaningful Iftar experience.

Medjool - Large, caramel-soft, and naturally sweet. The most widely recognised premium date variety globally. Works well for breaking the fast, gifting, and Eid platters.

Safawi - Dark, soft, and moderately sweet with a slight chewy texture. A reliable everyday Ramadan date with a flavour that suits daily Iftar well.

Sukkari - Soft, golden, and honey-sweet with a melt-in-the-mouth texture. Popular for Iftar platters and Ramadan gift hampers.

Mabroom - A mildly sweet, chewy date - a good choice for those who prefer a more subtle flavour for daily Iftar.

All of these varieties - Ajwa 400g, Fresh Medjool by Linah Farms, Royal Dates 500g, Safawi Dates 1kg, Sukkari Dates 1kg, and Mabroom Dates 1kg - are available for delivery across Japan from the dry fruits and dates collection.

Sehri - What to Keep Ready

Sehri needs to be practical. You need food that provides sustained energy through the fast without requiring long cooking time at an early hour.

Paratha and Roti - Frozen paratha, chapati, and naan are among the most practical Sehri choices - ready to heat in minutes. Regular Plain Paratha, Chapati Roti, Aloo Paratha, and Naan Bread are all available for delivery across Japan and are among the most consistently ordered products at AL MODINA.

Dal and lentils - Masur Dal, Chana Dal, and Mung Dal are high in protein and fibre - ideal for sustaining energy through a long fast. Best prepared the evening before and reheated at Sehri. All available in 1kg packs.

Dairy - Condensed milk, coconut milk, and milk powder are useful for drinks, porridge, and warm Sehri preparations.

Nuts - Cashew, almond, and peanuts are easy Sehri additions - quick to eat, high in energy, and no preparation needed.

Iftar - The Full Table

Iftar is where most of the cooking effort goes during Ramadan. Having the right ingredients ready makes the difference between a rushed Iftar and a proper one.

Quick Iftar Starters

Frozen samosas and spring rolls are the most practical Iftar starters - ready in minutes from frozen. Punjabi Samosa, Vegetable Samosas, Spring Roll Pastry, Dal Puri, and Aloo Puri are all available for delivery across Japan.

Juice and Drinks - Breaking the Fast

Juice is a staple of the Iftar table. Mango Juice, Pomegranate Juice, Jam-e-Shirin Drink Liquid, and Coconut Juice are available - stock a few varieties for the Iftar table.

Haleem and Biryani - The Main Dishes

Haleem Mix - Haleem Mix by Radhuni is the most widely ordered haleem mix, with Haleem Mix by Shan and Shahi Haleem Mix by Ahmed also available. Combine with halal beef or mutton for a traditional Ramadan haleem.

Biryani Masala - Bombay Biryani Masala by Shan, Kacchi Biryani Masala by Radhuni, and Sindhi Biryani Masala by Shan are all available. Not sure which rice to pair with your biryani? Read our Best Rice Brands in Japan guide for a full breakdown of basmati, jasmine, and other varieties.

Halal Meat for Iftar Cooking

Bone-in beef and mutton mix are the most practical choices for haleem and biryani. Browse the full halal meat collection for all available cuts - sourced from Gunma and Hokkaido and delivered nationwide.

Eid - Shopping for the Celebration

Eid shopping requires a different list from Ramadan. The focus shifts from daily fasting staples to festive cooking, sweets, and celebration.

Semai and Vermicelli - Eid Morning Dessert

Laccha Semai is the most widely prepared Eid morning dessert across South Asian communities in Japan. Sheer Khurma for Pakistani and Indian households, or Semai for Bangladeshi celebrations - both use vermicelli as the base. LACCHA SEMAI 200g, Lachha Semai PURE, and Vermicelli by Radhuni and Ahmed are all available. Pair with condensed milk and nuts for a complete dessert.

Chinigura Rice - For Festive Pulao

Chinigura Rice (CHASHI brand) is the traditional choice for Eid pulao in Bangladeshi cooking - soft, fragrant, and distinct in flavour from regular basmati. Learn more about Chinigura, basmati, jasmine, and other popular varieties in our Best Rice Brands in Japan guide. Available in the rice collection.

AL MODINA Sweets - Homemade Eid Mithai

The sweet collection at AL MODINA is made fresh in-house - mix sweets, baby sweets, laddu, gulab jamun, rasmalai, and sponge sweet. All prepared using halal-certified ingredients and traditional methods. Ready for Eid gifting, Eid gatherings, or simply enjoying at home. Browse the full sweets and desserts collection.

Kheer Mix

Kheer Mix by Mehran 180g and KHEER MIX PLAIN by Ahmed are both available - a quick, reliable way to prepare kheer for Eid without sourcing individual ingredients separately.

Qurbani - Planning Ahead

Many families arrange Qurbani well in advance of Eid ul-Adha to ensure availability. AL MODINA offers QURBANI COW - available as 1 Share (1/7 of a cow) or a Full Cow. This is a service provided to Muslim families across Japan who want to fulfil their Qurbani obligation. Orders should be placed early, as availability is limited each season.

Quick Ramadan & Eid Shopping Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I buy before Ramadan starts?

Dates, rice, lentils, cooking oil, frozen snacks, spice mixes, vermicelli, and halal meat are among the most useful items to stock before Ramadan begins.

When should I start Ramadan grocery shopping in Japan?

At least 1–2 weeks before Ramadan. Dates, paratha, and biryani masala sell out quickly - ordering early is the safest approach.

What are the best dates for breaking a fast during Ramadan?

Ajwa, Medjool, and Sukkari are popular choices. Ajwa for flavour and significance, Medjool for softness and sweetness, Sukkari for a honey-sweet daily Iftar date.

Can I order halal meat for Ramadan cooking online in Japan?

 Yes. Halal beef, mutton, chicken, and lamb are delivered across Japan. Free delivery on orders over ¥10,500 (excluding Okinawa).

What is the best rice for Ramadan biryani?

KAALAR Premium Basmati is a popular choice for Ramadan biryani thanks to its long grains and suitability for festive rice dishes. For festive Eid pulao, Chinigura Rice (CHASHI) is the traditional pick. 

Does AL MODINA offer Qurbani service in Japan?

Yes - QURBANI COW is available as 1 Share or a Full Cow for Eid ul-Adha. Order early as availability is limited each season.

Where can I shop for all Ramadan and Eid essentials in Japan?

AL MODINA's Ramadan Essentials collection - dates, rice, frozen items, spices, sweets and more, delivered across Japan.

Make Ramadan and Eid Easier This Year

Planning ahead reduces last-minute shopping and helps ensure every Sehri, Iftar, and Eid meal is prepared with the ingredients you need. 

Everything on this list is available at AL MODINA - halal certified, delivered nationwide across Japan.

 Start your Ramadan shopping at the Ramadan Essentials collection. Free delivery on orders over ¥10,500 (excluding Okinawa).