South Korea
Halal Korean Food
Dining in Korea is no longer a challenge for Muslim tourists visiting Korea. For one thing, Korean cuisine offers a wide number of dishes using grains, vegetables, and seafood. Halal meat (beef or lamb slaughtered according to Muslim ritual), Halal restaurants near the Seoul Central Masjid in Itaewon, Seoul. There are numbers of Indian, Pakistani, Turkish, and Arabic-style Muslim restaurants. Itaewon is a unique place in Seoul where one can meet people of diverse nationalities and cultures.
Dubai Restaurant
A large-scale Arabic restaurant, Dubai offers an upscale interior décor that exudes authentic Middle Eastern . Food is carefully prepared by chefs from Dubai, attracting a clientele of Korean businessmen who entertain their clients from the Middle East. A variety of lamb dishes, Dubai kebab, and Dubai royal cuisine are served. Visitors can also indulge in the pleasure of a shisha (water pipe) flavored with apple, strawberry, or rose.
Address: Seoul-si Yongsan-gu Itaewon 1-dong 127-2Tel: 02-798-9277
How to get there Subway Line 6, Itaewon Station Exit 3, 5 minutes’ walk
Restaurants :
Usmania International Restaurant
Usmania is a Pakistani restaurant expressing authentic Pakistani taste in both its interior and food. The menu features about a hundred dishes, ranging from whole wheat bread, lamb, beef or chicken, but does not offer any pork dishes or alcoholic beverages, which are prohibited by the Koran. Inside the restaurant, you will find a variety of Pakistani decorations such as traditional shishas (water pipes) and silk carpets. Beef kebabs and tandoori chicken are favorites among Korean diners.
Address: Seoul-si Yongsan-gu Itaewon-dong 119-7
Tel: 02-798-7155
How to get there: Subway Line 6, Itaewon Station Exit 1, 5 minutes’ walk
Arabian Restaurant
Outside Arabian Restaurant, there is a sign written in Arabic as well as a sign certifying the restaurant as ‘Halal’. It serves a variety of Arabic food using fresh vegetables and traditional spices. The lamb steaks and lamb kebabs are strictly halal.
Address: Seoul-si Yongsan-gu Itaewon-dong 123-21
Tel: 02-798-1385
How to get there: Subway Line 6, Itaewon Station Exit 2, 5 minutes’ walk
Taj Palace
An Indian restaurant, Taj Palace offers a basic menu consisting of curry, naan (Middle Eastern flat bread), and thali (variety of dishes served in small bowls on a tray), a course menu, and a vegetarian menu. All chicken and lamb dishes are halal, and all spices are brought directly from India for the freshest flavor experience in Korea. Taj Palace serves lassi (yogurt drink) and traditional Indian chai, but no alcoholic beverages. Prepared by a chef who previously worked in a luxury hotel in New Delhi, the food is delicious and reasonably priced.
Address: Seoul-si Yongsan-gu Itaewon-dong 132-2
Tel: 02-790-5786
How to get there: Subway Line 6, Itaewon Station Exit 3, 5 minutes’ walk
Salam
Salam was the first restaurants to introduce Turkish cuisine in Korea. It offers kebabs of beef and lamb, as well as other lamb dishes served with vegetables. The Salam course comes with Merjimek soup, kebab, Coban salatasi (a refreshing salad of cubed tomato, sweet peppers, and other vegetables), ayran (slightly salty yogurt drink), tea, and cookie.
Address: Seoul-si Yongsan-gu Hannam-dong 732-21
Tel: 02-793-4323
How to get there: Subway Line 6, Itaewon Station, Exit 3, 10 minutes’ walk
Bindya
Located near Gangnam Station, Bindya serves a full menu of Indian cuisine prepared by an Indian chef. Lunchtime diners flock here for the reasonably priced lunch set complete with curry, rice, naan, and tandoori chicken. For the authentic flavor of Indian cuisine, come and enjoy one of the curries made from chicken, lamb, beef, or seafood. They even serve a strictly veggie curry.
Address: Seoul-si Seocho-gu Seocho-Dong 1308-2, F3
Tel: 02-595-0025
How to get there: Subway Line 2, Gangnam Station Exit 6, 10 minutes’ walk
