Best Rice Brands in Japan: The Ultimate Guide for Biryani, Pulao, Curry & Everyday Meals

Same spices. Same cooking method. Completely different result - just because of the rice. If you have ever cooked biryani that looked right but felt off on the plate, the rice variety is almost always where the answer is. 

These ingredients do more than add flavour. They preserve the identity of traditional dishes and help communities recreate familiar meals while living abroad.

For Muslim communities living in Japan, finding these ingredients in one place used to be difficult. AL MODINA's Indonesia Corner features a wide range of Indonesian pantry staples - and the full range of country-specific collections covers Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Turkey. All available for delivery across Japan.

Indonesia: Kecap Manis, Sambal, and the Building Blocks of Indonesian Cooking

Indonesian cooking is built on a handful of foundational ingredients that appear across nearly every dish.

Kecap Manis - Indonesian sweet soy sauce. Thick, dark, and deeply sweet - rarely found in regular Japanese supermarkets. Used in nasi goreng, mie goreng, and ayam kecap. Available in multiple sizes at AL MODINA.

Sambal - Indonesia's essential chilli condiment. Sambal Asli Pedas 395g by ABC is a straightforward chilli paste, Sambal Pecel Hand-Made 150g is peanut-based for gado-gado, and Sambal Goreng Ati Seasoning Mix is for the classic fried liver dish.

Terasi (Shrimp Paste) - Fermented shrimp paste used as a flavour base in sambal and rice dishes. Used in small amounts but with enormous flavour impact. Available as Terasi Udang by Mamasuka.

Indomie Noodles - Soto Mie Flavour Noodles, Mie Goreng Pedas, and Special Chicken Flavour are all stocked at AL MODINA.

Rendang Seasoning - RENDANG Instant Seasoning Mix (Indofood) and Rendang Curry Seasoning are both available. Combine with halal beef for the full dish.

Browse the full Indonesia Corner for all available products.

India:  Atta, Ghee and the Pantry That Powers South Asian Cooking

Atta (Whole Wheat Flour) - The foundation of roti, chapati, and paratha. Available in multiple brands - Hajji Baba Chakki Fresh Atta 5kg/10kg, Atta Aashirvaad 5 KG Pack, Aashirvaad Atta 10 KG Pack, and Morita White Atta 10kg.

Ghee - Used for biryani, dal, roti, and rice dishes. Amul Pure Ghee, Compound Ghee 900g by COOK, PRAN Premium Ghee, and Bagha Bari Ghee 400g are all available.

Spice Masalas - Garam Masala, Bombay Biryani Masala by Shan, Biriyani Masala by Radhuni, and Beef Masala by Radhuni form the backbone of everyday South Asian cooking. Learn which rice pairs best with biryani in our Best Rice Brands in Japan guide.

Browse the full Indian Corner for all available products.

Bangladesh: Mustard Oil and the Flavours of Bengali Cooking

Bangladeshi cooking has a distinct identity - and mustard oil is the clearest example. It is sharp, pungent, and gives Bengali fish curries and bharta a flavour no other oil replicates.

Mustard Oil - Mustard Oil 1 Litre by Ambika, Kachhi Ghani Mustard Oil, and multiple varieties are all stocked.

Masur Dal - MASUR DAL (BANGLADESHI) 1Kg (Sona Masoor Dal) is a widely used product at AL MODINA.

Kasundi - A Bangladeshi mustard sauce for fish, snacks, and fried items. Kasundi Bangladeshi by Radhuni is available - rarely found outside specialist stores in Japan.

Browse the full Bangladeshi Corner for all available products.

Pakistan: Dried Fruits, Drinks, and Pakistani Pantry Staples

Alo Bukhara (Dried Plum) - Used in meat dishes, rice, and chutneys for sour, fruity depth. ALO BUKHARA 500g By Peure is available at AL MODINA.

Rooh Afza 800ml - A classic rose-based sherbet concentrate widely consumed during Iftar. A widely recognised drink across South Asian households.

Browse the full Pakistani Corner for all available products.

Sri Lanka: String Hoppers and Ceylon Specialities

String Hoppers - A rice flour product pressed into thin rounds, steamed, and eaten with coconut milk curry or sambol. Instant String Hoppers 200g is available at AL MODINA.

Sri Lankan Noodles - A pantry staple for Sri Lankan households in Japan, also available at AL MODINA.

Browse the full Sri Lanka Food Corner for all available products.

Nepal: Dal Moth and Nepali Kitchen Staples

Nepal Dal Moth - A crispy fried lentil snack and a popular Nepali item at AL MODINA. Used as a snack, topping, and side dish.

Nepali Ghee - A ghee variety suited to traditional Nepali cooking. Check the Nepali Food Corner for currently available options.

Browse the full Nepali Food Corner for all available products.

Turkey: Sumac, Pomegranate Sauce and Turkish Pantry Essentials

Red Sumac - A tart, lemony spice used on grilled meats, salads, and flatbreads. Adds acidity and colour without heat. Available at AL MODINA.

Pomegranate Sauce (Nar Ekşili Sos) 720g BURCU - A rich, tangy sauce used as a salad dressing, meat marinade, and dipping sauce. Available at AL MODINA.

Pepper Paste BURCU - One of the most widely used cooking bases in Turkish cuisine. Available in Mild and Hot varieties - check the Turkey Corner for current availability.

Dry Fig Turkey 1kg - Used in desserts, snack platters, and alongside nuts. Available at AL MODINA.

Browse the full Turkey Corner for all available products.

Quick Reference:  Key Ingredients by Country

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy Indonesian ingredients online in Japan?

AL MODINA's Indonesia Corner stocks Kecap Manis, Sambal, Terasi, Indomie noodles, Rendang seasoning, and more - delivered across Japan.

What ingredients are hardest to find in Japanese supermarkets?

Kecap Manis, Kasundi, Mustard Oil, Red Sumac, Terasi, and specialty South Asian spice blends are often easier to find through specialist halal grocery stores.

Is mustard oil available in Japan?

Yes. AL MODINA stocks Mustard Oil by Ambika, Kachhi Ghani Mustard Oil, and other varieties.

Where can I find halal South Asian groceries in Japan?

AL MODINA delivers halal groceries from Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Turkey across Japan. Free delivery on orders over ¥10,500 (excluding Okinawa).

What is Kecap Manis, and where can I buy it in Japan?

Kecap Manis is Indonesian sweet soy sauce - thick, dark, and essential for nasi goreng, mie goreng, and ayam kecap. Available in multiple sizes at AL MODINA.

Does AL MODINA stock Turkish ingredients?

Yes - Red Sumac, Pomegranate Sauce, Pepper Paste, and Dry Fig Turkey 1kg are in the Turkey Corner. Check for current stock.

Can I order Nepali and Sri Lankan products online in Japan?

Yes. Nepal Dal Moth, String Hoppers, and other specialty products are available at AL MODINA for delivery across Japan.

One Store, Every Kitchen

The ingredients that make each cuisine distinct are often the hardest to find when living away from home.

AL MODINA stocks pantry essentials from across Asia and beyond - all halal certified and delivered nationwide across Japan.

Free delivery on orders over ¥10,500 (excluding Okinawa).