[UPDATED 4 Dec 2019]
If there’s one thing we love most about Korea, it has to be the food! Thanks to the rise of Muslim-friendly restaurants in recent years, it’s easier to find halal Korean food in Korea these days. Whether it’s juicy and tender beef bulgogi or crispy Korean fried chicken, there’s nothing like the gastronomic treat of Korean cuisine ?
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If you’re travelling on a budget and looking for some money-saving tips, the good thing is you can find affordable halal Korean food in Korea. To help you decide which dishes won’t break your budget, here’s a list of 11 halal dishes in Korea you have to try (under 15,000KRW)!
#HHWT Tip: Planning your Korea trip? Come and discover Korea your way on Korea Tourism Organization's (Malaysia) website!
Seoul:
1. Korean fried chicken from Makan Halal Restaurant
Korean fried chicken is unlike any other fried chicken - it’s fried twice so there’s a certain crunch to it and the sauce makes all the difference. Trust us when we say that the fried chicken (dakganjeong) at Makan Restaurant is to die for! The chicken is fried to a perfect crisp then coated with a sweet and spicy sauce that makes it so succulent. The chicken soaks up all the flavour of the sauce, making every bite a heavenly treat ?
Price: from 10,000KRW
Halal status: Halal-certified
Opening hours: 10.30AM-10PM (closed on Tue)
Address: 52 Usadan-ro 10-gil, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Contact: +82 2-6012-2231
P.S. In Seoul and finding halal eateries? Check out our guide of 9 halal restaurants you must try in Seoul!
BONUS: Korean fried chicken from Kampungku
If you still can't get enough of Korean fried chicken and don't mind spending a bit more, then head over to Kampungku! Its fried chicken has raving reviews from Muslim travellers. The Sweet Crispy Chicken is a must-try here - even though it's coated in sauce, you can still taste the crunchiness. Super yummy ?
Price: 11,000KRW
Halal status: Halal ingredients used (cooked by Muslim Chef), prayer room in establishment
Opening hours: Open daily; 11AM-10PM
Address: Jong-ro 20-gil, Namsandong 2(i)-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Contact: +82 2-310-9249
2. Kimchi jjigae from Murree
If you haven’t realised already, Koreans really love their kimchi and it’s a must to have it at every meal! And one of the dishes that Koreans eat on a daily basis is kimchi jjigae (or kimchi stew). This warm and spicy dish is comforting especially in cold weather and we can totally understand why the Koreans love it so much! We recently tried the kimchi jjigae and Murree and their version includes beef slices which enhanced the taste of the stew. Make sure you eat this with rice for a hearty meal ?
Price: 12,000KRW
Halal status: Halal ingredients used
Opening hours: Open daily; 11.30AM-9.30PM
Address: 20, Usadan-ro 10-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Contact: +82 2-3785-1436
3. Bibimbap from Hajj Korea Halal Food
A wholesome mix of beef or chicken bulgogi, vegetables, mushrooms, egg then topped with gochujang (red chilli paste), there’s nothing quite like bibimbap (Korean mixed rice)! For many Koreans, bibimbap is a dish where they’d make when they have leftover side dishes and hence, it reminds them of the taste of home. When all the ingredients are mixed together, the combination of flavours is perfect. The best part is, the chef at Hajj is a Korean Muslim lady so you can expect only the most authentic taste when you dine here!
Price: 10,000KRW
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Opening hours: Open daily; 10AM-2AM
Address: 39, Usadan-ro 10-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Contact: +82 2-749-5185
#HHWT Tip: If you’re planning a trip to Seoul, we’ve got you covered with our 6D5N Muslim-friendly itinerary of Seoul, Gyeonggi-do and Incheon!
4. Beef bulgogi from Eid Halal Korean Food
It’s hard to resist the allure of thinly shaved beef slices marinated in a sweet and savoury sauce and then grilled to perfection! But before you even savour that slice of yummy beef, the sizzling sound of grilled meat and the aromatic whiff is enough to make your mouth water. The beef bulgogi set at EID is one of the top favourites among Muslim travellers. Served with seaweed soup and side dishes, you're bound to have a hearty meal! If you don't mind spending a bit more, the samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) is a satisfying and refreshing treat too.
Price: 10,000KRW
Halal status: Halal-certified
Address: 67 Usadan-ro 10-gil, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: Tue-Sun; 11.30AM-9PM (closed on Mon)
Contact: +82 70-8899-8210
5. Tteokbokki from Manis Kitchen
Looking to fill your tummy with some Korean street snacks? Tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cakes) always hits the spot! With chunks of rice cakes and fishcakes in spicy sauce, this dish will be a treat to your taste buds. On our recent trip to Korea, we tried the tteokbokki from Manis Kitchen and it was super affordable with generous portions. Not to mention that you can get your fix of other street snacks like kimbap (sushi rolls), odeng (fishcake) and corndogs too.
Price: 3,000KRW
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Opening hours: Open daily; 11AM-8PM
Address: 36 Usadan-ro 10-gil, Itaewon 1(il)-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea (in front of Seoul Central Mosque)
Contact: +82 2-6407-5454
P.S. Still undecided what to do for your trip in Korea? Head over to the Korea Tourism Organization's (Malaysia) website for ideas!
6. Combo platter from The Halal Guys
Korean food is not the only cuisine that you should try when in Korea! One eatery that you should add to your itinerary is The Halal Guys. For the uninitiated, The Halal Guys started out as a pushcart in the streets of Manhattan in New York but it has gained a reputation for its yummy chicken and gyro over rice platter. There are 3 sizes of platters you can choose from - small, regular and New York - and you can also choose whether you want chicken, beef gyro or a combo. We recommend getting the regular combo platter so you can get the best of both worlds!
The meats are marinated and grilled to a T and pair really well with the fragrant rice. But what makes all the difference is the appetising red and white sauces. Savour this heavenly combination all at once and we guarantee you’ll never see kebabs the same way again ? The best part is that there are 3 outlets of The Halal Guys in Seoul!
Price: from 9,900KRW
Halal status: Halal ingredients used
Gangnam outlet
Address: 8 Gangnam-daero 69-gil, Seocho 4(sa)-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: Open daily; 11AM-10PM
Contact: +82 2-595-1800
Itaewon outlet
Address: 187, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Sun-Thur; 11AM-10PM, Fri-Sat; 11AM-4AM
Contact: +82 2-794-8308
Hongdae outlet
Address: 159-5 Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: Open daily; 11AM-10.30PM
Contact: +82 2-332-1802
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Nami Island:
7. Dakgalbi from Namisum Kkokko Chuncheon Dakgalbi (남이섬꼬꼬춘천닭갈비)
Not many restaurants serve halal dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) in Korea so if you’re heading to Nami Island, you have to make a stop at Namisum Kkokko Chuncheon Dakgalbi! Here’s your chance to be your own chef and stir-fry chunks of marinated chicken mixed with other ingredients and gochujang sauce on a sizzling hot pan. We’re pretty sure all that cooking will leave you famished but nothing is more rewarding than eating a meal that you’ve prepared yourself ? The good thing about this eatery is that you can choose your preferred spice level, so you don’t have to worry about having to burn your taste buds. The scrumptious meal will definitely satisfy all your chicken cravings!
P.S. Do note that you’ll need to order at least 2 servings at Namisum Kkokko Chuncheon Dakgalbi.
Price: 12,000KRW per serving
Halal status: Muslim-friendly menu available with halal-certified chicken. Do note that other non-halal meats are served but prepared separately. Reservation is required for halal menu. Alcohol is served in establishment. We advise you to dine at your own discretion.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri; 9AM-9PM, Sat-Sun; 9AM-10PM
Address: 1045, Bukhangangbyeon-ro, Gapyeong-eup, Gyeonggi-do (located in front of Gapyeong Ferry Terminal which is the terminal to get to Nami Island)
Contact: +82 31-581-2127
#HHWT Tip: Visiting Nami Island? Check out our Muslim-friendly guide to conquer Nami Island like a pro!
Busan:
8. Daegutang from Goma Daegutang (고마대구탕)
Busan is known for its fresh seafood so you definitely have to savour it when you’re there! One of the most popular dishes that Busan is known for is daegutang or cod fish stew. While many Korean stews use kimchi, daegutang consists of just cod fish and vegetables. As the broth is really light on the palate, you’ll be able to taste the freshness of the cod fish. This certainly makes for a refreshing meal, definitely something you’d want to eat after a long day of being out and about! It’s both healthy and yummy so be sure to try it ?
Price: 10,000KRW
Halal status: Only seafood is sold in establishment. No alcohol or animal derivatives used in preparation of the soup. Alcohol may be sold in establishment and we recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
Opening hours: Open daily; 7AM-9PM
Address: 127, Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan
Contact: +81 51-626-3330
9. Chicken kebab from Cappadocia
Turkish food is always a good halal option if you need a break from all the Korean food you’ll be having on your trip. Thankfully, there’s a halal Turkish restaurant in Busan too, Cappadocia. Located right beside the Busan Mosque in the Namsan-dong area, Cappadocia makes for a convenient stop after your prayers. Fill your tummy with some of their grilled items like Chicken Shish Kebab! It might be rare to find an authentic Turkish eatery in Busan, but this one tastes exactly like the ones in Turkey. If you need another affordable option, get their Cheese Pide (Turkish pizza). Imagine soft and warm flatbread with cheese - it doesn’t get any better than this!
Price: 11,000KRW (both chicken kebab and cheese pide)
Halal status: Halal-certified
Opening hours: Open daily; 11.30AM-10PM
Address: 123-9, Geumdan-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan
Contact: +82 51-515-5981
P.S. Find more Muslim-friendly eateries in Busan with our list!
Jeju:
10. Grilled mackerel from Uribong Sikdang (우리봉 식당)
Besides Busan, Jeju is another place that you have to try fresh seafood and Uribong Sikdang (우리봉 식당) is one of the places which is popular with Muslim travellers! They have a range of exquisite seafood dishes like cutlassfish or abalone hotpot but one of the more affordable options is the grilled mackerel. Korean grilled mackerel is usually lightly salted and then grilled or pan-fried. It might be a simple meal with rice and side dishes but trust us, it’ll be so satisfying! After you’re done enjoying the fresh mackerel, you can do your prayers at their prayer room in the eatery itself!
Price: 15,000KRW
Halal status: Only seafood dishes sold, no alcohol/meat is used in preparation of dishes. Alcohol is served in establishment, so do dine at your own discretion. Prayer facilities in establishment.
Opening hours: Open daily; 8AM-10PM
Address: 273, Ilchul-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
Contact: +82 64-782-0032
P.S. Wondering where else you can eat in Jeju? Here’s a list of 8 must-try Muslim-friendly eateries in Jeju!
11. Seafood hotpot from Bada Punggyeong (바다풍경횟집)
You can’t leave Jeju without trying seafood hotpot! Head to Bada Punggyeong (바다풍경) for their abalone seafood hotpot! Consisting of abalone, mussels, clams and other seafood in kimchi broth, this one’s for all you seafood lovers. Your seafood stew will arrive piping hot and once the broth soaks up all the flavours of the seafood, you won’t be able to get enough of it. If you can afford to spend a bit more, we recommend getting the braised mackerel stew (29,000KRW) which has a thicker broth and perfect for sharing.
Fun fact: Most abalones in Jeju are caught by the skilfull haenyeo women divers who dive in the open water without using any oxygen masks!
What’s great about dining at Bada Punggyeong is that you’ll have a gorgeous view of the sea ?
#HHWT Tip: If you need to do your prayers, inform the staff and they’ll bring you up to the third floor where you’ll be praying in a room overlooking the sea.
Price: 15,000KRW
Halal status: Only seafood dishes sold, no alcohol/meat is used in preparation of dishes. Alcohol is served in establishment, so do dine at your own discretion. Prayer facilities in establishment.
Opening hours: Open daily; 9.30AM – 11PM
Address: 654, Seohaean-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
Contact No: +82 64-711-7992
P.S. Plan your Jeju trip with our 5D4N Muslim-friendly Jeju itinerary!
With such a wide variety of affordable dishes and cuisines available, you’ll definitely have no problems finding Muslim-friendly eateries when travelling in Korea! That means you can save your Korean won for more shopping ? Time to share this with your travel buddies and let them know that there’s a wealth of Muslim-friendly food options in Korea. Don't forget to plan your trip using Korea Tourism Organization's (Malaysia) website!
This article is brought to you by Korea Tourism Organization (Malaysia).