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Halal food refers to food that is permissible for Muslims to eat according to Islamic law. In South Korea, the availability of halal food has increased in recent years due to the growing number of Muslim tourists visiting the country and the increasing number of expats living there. However, finding halal food can still be a challenge, especially outside of major cities like Seoul.

Seoul has a number of halal restaurants that cater to the Muslim community and tourists. Many of these restaurants are located in the Itaewon neighborhood, which is known for its international atmosphere and diverse dining options. In Itaewon, you can find a variety of halal cuisine, including Korean, Indian, Middle Eastern, and more. There are also several halal supermarkets and stores in the area that sell halal ingredients and products.

Outside of Seoul, halal food can be more difficult to find. Some cities, like Gyeongju and Jeju, have a small number of halal restaurants and stores, but these are often limited to a few specific areas and can be hard to locate. In other cities, it may be difficult to find any halal food options at all.

In these cases, it can be helpful to look for Korean restaurants that offer vegetarian options, as these are often prepared with halal ingredients. Many Korean dishes are made with vegetables and can be easily modified to be made without meat. Some Korean restaurants may also be able to prepare dishes with halal meat upon request, although this is not always possible.

It can also be helpful to look for international chain restaurants, as these are more likely to have halal options. Fast food chains like KFC and McDonald’s have some halal items on their menus, and there are also a few halal-certified chains, like Subway and TGI Fridays, in South Korea.

If you are staying in a hotel, you may be able to request halal meals from the hotel’s restaurant or catering service. Some hotels in South Korea have dedicated halal kitchens or offer halal options as part of their regular menu. It is always a good idea to confirm with the hotel in advance to ensure that they can accommodate your dietary needs.

In addition to restaurants and hotels, there are also a few companies in South Korea that offer home delivery of halal meals. These companies typically offer a variety of international dishes that are made with halal ingredients and can be delivered to your home or office.

Here are a few halal restaurants in South Korea that you may want to try:

HaetSsal Sutbul Galbi: This restaurant, located in Itaewon, serves halal Korean BBQ. They use halal beef and lamb and have a separate kitchen and utensils for halal dishes.

Marrakech: This Moroccan restaurant, also located in Itaewon, serves a variety of halal dishes, including tajines, couscous, and kebabs.

Zabb-E-Lee: This halal Korean restaurant, located in Itaewon, serves a variety of traditional Korean dishes, including bibimbap and bulgogi. They also have a separate kitchen for halal dishes and use halal ingredients.

Tandoor: This Indian restaurant, located in Itaewon, serves a variety of halal dishes, including tandoori chicken, biryani, and naan.

Sultan’s Table: This Turkish restaurant, also located in Itaewon, serves a variety of halal dishes, including kebabs, pide, and lamb dishes.

These are just a few examples, and there are many other halal restaurants in South Korea to choose from. Itaewon is a particularly good area to find halal food, but there are also halal restaurants in other parts of the country, including Seoul and other major cities. If you are having trouble finding halal food in a specific area, you can try looking for international chain restaurants or vegetarian restaurants that may be able to accommodate your dietary needs.

There are a number of Korean snacks that are suitable for individuals who follow a halal diet. Here are a few examples:

• Dried persimmons: These sweet, chewy treats are made from sun-ripened persimmons and are often sold as street food in Korea. They are typically made with just fruit and sugar, making them a good option for those following a halal diet.
• Honey butter chips: These popular chips are made with a combination of honey and butter, and are a popular snack in Korea. They are typically made with plant-based ingredients, making them suitable for those following a halal diet.
• Korean rice cakes: Known as “tteok” in Korean, these chewy rice cakes are made with a variety of ingredients, including glutinous rice flour, beans, and nuts. They are often used in Korean traditional desserts and can be found at many street food markets.

• Kimbap: Similar to Japanese sushi, kimbap is a Korean snack made with cooked rice and a variety of fillings, such as vegetables, egg, and meat (usually beef or chicken). Vegetarian kimbap is also a popular option and can be found at many halal-friendly restaurants in Korea.
• Korean fried chicken: Many Korean fried chicken chains in South Korea offer halal-certified options made with chicken that has been slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines. These chains often have a separate kitchen and fryer for their halal offerings to ensure no cross-contamination with non-halal products.

The availability of halal food in South Korea has improved in recent years, but it can still be a challenge to find in some areas of the country. It is always a good idea to plan ahead and do some research before traveling to ensure that you will be able to find food that meets your dietary needs.