While your international travel plans are currently on hold, you can dream about your next trip to Korea. One of the things we miss most is the halal food in Korea! Whether you’re heading to Seoul, Jeju or Busan, Korea is home to not just mouthwatering halal Korean cuisine but a variety of Western, Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines. With mandatory 14-day quarantine for all inbound travellers and free rapid COVID-19 test for those with symptoms,the COVID-19 situation in Korea is under control. Once it’s safe to travel, Korea should definitely be on your list! To inspire you for your next trip, we’ve rounded up 8 yummy halal eateries in Seoul you might not have heard about yet ?
P.S. To help you out for your future Korea trip, check out these useful Muslim-friendly guides:
- Muslim-friendly Restaurants in Korea
- Muslim-friendly Korea Tourist Map
- Muslim-friendly resources on KTO’s website
1. Starcatering
Credit: 스타케이터링 on Facebook
Always wanted to try halal dosirak (lunch box)? Here’s your chance! For the uninitiated, dosirak refers to a packed meal which consists of rice, meat and side dishes. Starcatering’s enticing dosirak will satisfy your tummy as you do your sightseeing in Korea. Take your pick from a range of lunch boxes like beef bulgogi, dakgalbi (chicken ribs), jjukkumi (grilled baby octopus) and more! Not to mention that each box comes with kimchi, omelette, vegetables, salad and anchovies. The dosirak is also affordably priced at an average of KRW10,000-13,000. It’s a convenient choice if you’re packing food for bus or train trips to various parts of Korea. Check out their website to order your dosirak! Fun fact: Starcatering also provides halal catering for events in Korea, perfect if you’re organising for a special occasion.
Halal status: Halal-certified
Opening hours: 9AM-6PM
Address: 3F, 241, Dangsan-ro, Yeongdeungpo-Gu, Seoul
Contact: +82 2 2115 2777
P.S. Already planning the places you want to visit on your next trip? Check out these 5 awesome things that’ll make you excited about visiting Korea again!
2. Yummy Yomil
Craving for burgers while you’re in Korea? It’s time to sink your teeth in some scrumptious vegan burgers at Yummy Yomil! This vegan bakery serves a great mix of savoury and sweet flavours with all their ingredients and bread handmade in-house! You can get burgers at reasonable prices here - around KRW8,000-11,000. For first-timers, we recommend you to try the Vegan Cheese Burger - the soy patty is spot on and slathered with hearty homemade cheese and creamy mayonnaise. They also have other exciting flavours like Avocado, Chickpea Curry Apple Burger and Real Mushroom Burger which are sure to leave you craving more ? They also sell a variety of bread, pizza, scones, brownies, cakes and more. Don’t miss out on the cream buns as they are super delicious!
Halal status: Vegan ingredients, no alcohol or meat is served in the establishment. As Yummy Yomil is not halal-certified, we recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
Opening hours: 9AM-9PM, 10AM-8.30PM (burgers)
Address: 1F, 6-5, Yanghwa-ro 7-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Contact: +82 2 325 0082
P.S. Heading to a ski resort for your future trip to Korea? Check out this halal restaurant at Vivaldi Ski Park!
3. Kervan Turkish Bakery
You might have tried the delectable dishes at Kervan Turkish Restaurant, and now it’s time for you to try the pastries and desserts at Kervan Turkish Bakery! The treats here are prepared by a Turkish pastry Chef! With its IG-worthy interior, this charming shop is a great place to take a break and recharge while travelling. Indulge in several kinds of Baklava, a Turkish sweet made of pistachio and layers of crispy pastry or choose from different flavours of Turkish delight. There are various varieties of cookies and bread too. If you’re not a fan of sweet desserts, then get their cheese and meat pies instead! Don’t forget to complete your meal with a cup of Turkish tea or coffee. Or have Turkish ice-cream for a sweet finish!
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Opening hours: 9AM-11.20PM
Address: 1F, 204, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Contact: +82 2 790 5585
4. Ganges (Hanyang University Branch)
If you find yourself in the Wangsimni area of Seoul, there’s one halal restaurant you have to visit - Ganges! Located in the Hanyang University compound, here’s where you should go for authentic Indian food ? Tuck into flavourful dishes like palak paneer (Indian cottage cheese in spinach curry), tandoori chicken and various curries. Pair them with soft and fluffy butter naan or biryani, and you’ll have a meal to remember. Get their samosa as a side dish to complete your meal too. The dishes here are cooked by a local Indian Chef so you know this is as authentic as it gets! If you’re looking for something affordable, get their Lunch Set which costs less than KRW10,000 and consists of curry, plain naan, rice and salad.
Halal status: Halal menu available. The restaurant is pork-free but serves non-halal food and alcohol. We recommend that you dine at your discretion.
Opening hours: 11AM-10PM
Address: 3F, 6, Sageundong-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Contact: +82 2 2293 9998
P.S. To help you out for your future Korea trip, check out these useful Muslim-friendly guides:
- Muslim-friendly Restaurants in Korea
- Muslim-friendly Korea Tourist Map
- Muslim-friendly resources on KTO’s website
5. Indian Night Market
Indian Night Market (Indo Ya Sijang) is a cozy hideout in the heart of the bustling Gangnam district! Enter the restaurant and you’ll be greeted with a comfortable interior with dim lights. There’s even a homely area where you can sit on the floor! The food options here range from flavourful Indian curries to BBQ meat options.
Sink your teeth in their chicken tikka masala, chicken makhani and Pakistani tandoori chicken. The rich flavours of these dishes will go well with soft naan and white rice. Looking to spice up your meal? Go for the barbecued dishes instead! The mixed BBQ consists of lamb, chicken and prawns which are seasoned to perfection. If that’s not enough for you, their flavourful lamb chops will seal the deal ?
Halal status: Halal menu available. The restaurant is pork-free but serves non-halal food and alcohol. We recommend that you dine at your discretion.
Opening hours: 11.30AM-10PM
Address: 1F, 11-4, Gangnam-daero 96-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Contact: +82 2 553 4568
6. Yeti
Hanging out in the hip Hongdae and Sinchon areas and you’re looking for a place to fuel up? Yeti’s got you covered! Located near Hongik and Ewha Womans University, once you step into the restaurant, the aesthetic interior will immediately transport you to India! To get the most out of your experience here, we recommend getting their lunch or dinner sets. With salad, full tandoori chicken/prawns, naan, chawal (rice) and their specialty Yeti curry (choice of chicken, lamb or seafood), you’ll be thoroughly satisfied with this meal! Not to mention that each set might also come with samosa as well as special lassi or warm milk tea ? If you don’t fancy the sets, some of their top favourite dishes include chicken tikka, chicken butter masala, palak paneer and prawn chilli. Get ready for a tantalising burst of flavours in your mouth!
Halal status: Halal menu available, prayer room available. Do note that alcoholic beverages are served in the establishment, we recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
Opening hours: 11AM-2AM
Address: 2F, Wausan-ro 18-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Contact: +82 2 517 0119
7. In Style
Want to experience dining in a hotel in Korea? Head over to In Style located on the 7th floor of the Ibis Styles Ambassador Hotel! The restaurant serves an array of high-quality Korean and Asian dishes. The best part is that you can watch their expert Chefs prepare the delectable food right before your very eyes. Some of their specialty dishes are their bean stew and yaki noodles. For the uninitiated, bean stew (doenjjang jjigae) is a hearty soup consisting of fermented bean paste, tofu and other ingredients which Koreans love to eat. Their yaki noodles are a comforting stir-fried mix of soy sauce, meat and vegetables ? If you’re staying at the hotel or are here for breakfast, be treated to a variety of Western and continental breakfast options. With its gorgeous chic decor, the ambience at In Style is unbeatable too ?
Halal status: Halal menu available. The restaurant is pork-free but serves non-halal food and alcohol. We recommend that you dine at your discretion.
Opening hours: 6.30AM-10PM
Address: 95, Cheongpa-ro 20-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Contact: +82 2 2223 7400
8. Hajj Korea Halal Food
Hajj Korea Halal Food is an unassuming eatery located very near to the Seoul Central Mosque in Itaewon. It’s easy to miss it as it’s located off the main street of Itaewon, but on your next trip to Seoul, you should definitely pay a visit to this humble eatery! Owned by Mariam Nur, a Korean-Muslim revert, you’ll feel right at home with their hearty dishes. The bibimbap here is a must-try. This mixed bowl of warm rice topped with namul (seasoned vegetables), gochujang (red pepper paste) and sliced meat will delight your taste buds. It comes with generous portions of side dishes (banchan) too! Another top favourite is their beef bulgogi which is tender and juicy. Hajj’s other dishes like braised spicy chicken, seafood pancake (pajeon) and tofu stew are top favourites too, so make sure you don’t miss them!
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Opening hours: 10AM-12AM
Address: 39, Usadan-ro 10-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Contact: +82 2 749 5185
P.S. Find more halal Korean restaurants in Seoul in our article.
Now, are you even more excited to visit Korea when it’s safe to do so? Whether you’re craving good ‘ol Korean food like halal dosirak and juicy bulgogi or trying out something different like yummy vegan burgers and Turkish pastries, there’s something for every Muslim traveller to Korea. Can’t wait to travel to Korea? Remember to add these 8 awesome halal restaurants to your list!
P.S. To help you out for your future Korea trip, check out these useful Muslim-friendly guides:
- Muslim-friendly Restaurants in Korea
- Muslim-friendly Korea Tourist Map
- Muslim-friendly resources on KTO’s website
This article is brought to you by Korea Tourism Organization (Malaysia).