Best Halal Food in Seoul for Muslim Travelers

Seoul offers a growing and diverse halal food scene, particularly around Itaewon, Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Gangnam where you’ll find everything from Korean-style halal BBQ to Indian, Middle Eastern, and Malaysian cuisine. Thanks to the Korea Muslim Federation (KMF), there are multiple halal-certified restaurants plus many Muslim‑friendly spots that use halal ingredients but may serve alcohol or have no official certification

🌶️ Halal Street Food or Hawker Favorite in Seoul

🍲 My First Taste of Halal Bulgogi in Seoul

📝 Tasting the Dish
I stumbled into EID Halal Korean Food after wandering Itaewon’s hilly streets near the mosque. The smell of sesame oil and sizzling beef pulled me in. When the bulgogi arrived thin slices of beef glistening in sweet soy sauce, laid over steaming rice, it looked almost too perfect to eat. My first bite was a surprise: tender, juicy, slightly smoky, with a sweetness balanced by garlic and onion. The side dishes kimchi, marinated spinach, and cold tofu created a perfect dance of flavors. It felt like tasting Korea for the first time comforting yet exciting.

📖 About Bulgogi
Bulgogi, which literally means "fire meat," is one of Korea’s most iconic dishes. Traditionally grilled or stir-fried, it uses thinly sliced beef marinated in soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and pears for tenderness. It’s loved across generations and is a staple in celebratory meals.

💡 Pro Tips

• Ask for extra banchan (side dishes) . They're free refills!
• Pair your bulgogi with cold barley tea like locals do.
• Come early to avoid long waits during lunch.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Persona Fit
Great for first-timers to Korean cuisine, picky eaters, and families.

🔥 A Fiery Halal Dakgalbi I Couldn’t Stop Eating

📝 Tasting the Dish
In Hongdae, I found Busanjib’s halal-certified branch tucked near a side alley buzzing with students. The dakgalbi arrived on a sizzling pan with bright red chicken chunks, cabbage, rice cakes, and gooey cheese bubbling on top. The aroma was intense gochujang (Korean chili paste), garlic, and that addictive grilled smell. The first bite was a firecracker spicy, slightly sweet, smoky, and comforting. The chewy rice cakes soaked up every bit of the sauce. I kept eating even as my lips tingled.

📖 About Dakgalbi
Dakgalbi is a spicy stir-fried chicken dish from Chuncheon, now popular nationwide. Marinated in gochujang and cooked with veggies and rice cakes, it’s a favorite for group meals and student dinners. In halal versions, pork is swapped with chicken, and alcohol-free marinades are used.

💡 Pro Tips

• Ask for cheese topping to balance the heat.
• Add rice at the end to make bokkeumbap (fried rice with leftover sauce).
• Order cold radish water soup to cool down your palate.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Persona Fit
Perfect for spice lovers, adventurous eaters, and group hangouts

🍗 Discovering Halal Samgyetang That Feels Like a Hug

📝 Tasting the Dish
It was a chilly afternoon when I walked into Murree Muslim Food in Itaewon, drawn by the thought of something warm. The samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) came in a black stone pot, bubbling and steaming. Inside was a whole young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, dates, garlic, and ginseng. The aroma was earthy and comforting. I took my first spoonful. It was rich yet clean, with tender chicken that practically fell off the bone. It didn’t just warm my body, it warmed my soul.

📖 About Samgyetang
Samgyetang is a traditional summer tonic dish believed to restore energy and stamina. Usually eaten during Korea’s hottest days, it’s made with a whole chicken stuffed with herbs and ginseng. Its rich broth and medicinal ingredients are deeply rooted in Korean health traditions.

💡 Pro Tips

• Add a pinch of salt and pepper into your soup dish, then dip the chicken for extra flavor.
• Eat the garlic and ginseng, it’s good for digestion and warmth.
• Best enjoyed slowly, don’t rush this meal.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Persona Fit
Ideal for cold days, health-conscious travelers, and those needing a gentle intro to Korean food.

🍽️ Signature Halal Restaurant or Food Institution

🍽️ Soulful Halal Comfort at EID Korean Halal Restaurant

📝 Dining Experience
Walking into EID felt like stepping into a cozy Korean home. The warm lighting, clean wooden tables, and the faint scent of sesame oil instantly put me at ease. The staff greeted me in soft, welcoming voices, and I could tell they understood the meaning of comfort food. I ordered the halal bulgogi set and wow. Each slice of marinated beef melted in my mouth, layered with a hint of sweetness and umami. The banchan (side dishes) felt like a love letter to Korean tradition: crunchy kimchi, sesame spinach, and a soft tofu side that was unexpectedly soothing. This meal wasn’t just food, it was a story.

📖 About EID Korean Halal Restaurant
Run by a local Korean-Muslim family, EID is one of the first fully halal-certified Korean restaurants in Seoul. Located near the Seoul Central Mosque, it’s become a beloved staple for Muslim travelers and Korean locals alike.

📍 Location: 67 Usadan-ro 10-gil, Itaewon (near Seoul Central Mosque)
🍴 Don’t miss: Bulgogi Set or Samgyetang
🕒 Reservation recommended? No, but best to come before 6 PM on weekends
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Great for halal-seeking travelers, first-timers to Korean food, and solo diners.

🔥 The Smoky Magic of Yang Good Halal BBQ

📝 Dining Experience
As I walked into Yang Good, the scent hit me first: charcoal, sizzling lamb, and that unmistakable aroma of sesame oil meeting fire. The place buzzed with energy: groups chatting over grills, staff expertly turning skewers, and the occasional sizzle-pop from the open kitchen. I ordered the halal lamb BBQ set, and it was unforgettable. Each bite was smoky and tender, with just the right amount of fat to melt into flavor. Wrapped in lettuce with garlic, ssamjang, and rice, every bite was a perfect mouthful. The soybean stew on the side added a warm, earthy depth that lingered beautifully.

📖 About Yang Good BBQ
Yang Good is Seoul’s only halal-certified Korean BBQ restaurant. It’s earned a cult following among Muslims, expats, and meat lovers for its high-quality Australian lamb and traditional Korean grilling experience without alcohol or pork on the menu.

📍 Location: 15 Nonhyeon-ro 95-gil, Gangnam (near Yeoksam Station)
🍴 Don’t miss: Lamb BBQ Set with Doenjang-jjigae
🕒 Reservation recommended? Yes, especially for dinner on Fridays and weekends
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Great for meat lovers, group dinners, and special nights out.

🍗 A Healing Bowl at Murree Muslim Food

📝 Dining Experience
Murree has a timeless calm about it. Located just a few steps from Seoul’s mosque, it feels more like a peaceful retreat than a restaurant. The staff were soft-spoken, and the air was filled with aromas of warm spices and slow-cooked broth. I ordered the samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) , a whole tender chicken stuffed with sticky rice, garlic, jujubes, and a powerful slice of ginseng, all in a steaming herbal broth. The flavors were restorative, the chicken melt-in-the-mouth, and the rice carried every nuance of the soup. It felt medicinal in the best way like being cared for by someone who truly wants you to feel better.

📖 About Murree Muslim Food
One of the longest-running halal restaurants in Itaewon, Murree has quietly served Muslim travelers and locals for over a decade. It’s not flashy, but it’s consistent, authentic, and deeply comforting.

📍 Location: 140-7 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (beside the Islamic Center)
🍴 Don’t miss: Samgyetang or Chicken Curry with Roti
🕒 Reservation recommended? No, but best before prayer times
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Great for families, older travelers, and anyone seeking quiet, nourishing meals.

🍰 Halal Café, Bakery or Dessert Spot in Seoul

🍯 Honey Butter Dreams at Café Sukkara

📝 The Vibe & Taste
I ducked into Café Sukkara on a drizzly afternoon in Hongdae, drawn by the glow of its wooden sign and the faint scent of cinnamon in the air. Inside, it felt like a warm, rustic living room where indie folk music played softly, and locals chatted over warm cups, laptops open. I ordered their honey butter bread and an iced yuzu tea. The toast was golden and crisp on the outside, soft inside, drizzled with just-melted butter and floral honey, topped with whipped cream that melted into it like a cloud. It was nostalgic, comforting almost like a dessert hug.

📖 About Café Sukkara
This halal-friendly café leans organic and slow-food, with seasonal menus and no alcohol-based ingredients. Though not halal-certified, it avoids pork and gelatin, and the staff understand dietary needs.

📍 Location: Hongdae, near Sangsu Station Exit 1
💰 Price: ₩8,000 - 10,000; best to visit before 2PM on weekdays
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for solo café-hoppers, halal-conscious travelers, and laid-back creatives.

🍓 Seoul’s Sweetest Surprise at Cacao Boom

📝 The Vibe & Taste
Tucked into a quiet Itaewon alley, Cacao Boom instantly won me over with its European patisserie vibes, dark wood, display cases of chocolate truffles, and a calm, cocoa-scented air. Soft jazz filled the space, and the crowd was a mix of chocolate-lovers and couples escaping the cold. I tried their Belgian-style hot chocolate, rich, velvety, and deeply indulgent without being overly sweet. Each sip felt like a luxury, especially paired with a tiny dark chocolate cube on the side.

📖 About Cacao Boom
This artisan chocolate café is Muslim-friendly, with no alcohol in their desserts and vegetarian-friendly options. It’s known for handmade truffles, drinking chocolate, and seasonal cakes, all with European flair.

📍 Location: Itaewon, near Exit 2
💰 Price: ₩7,000 - 9,000; best to visit after lunch when it's quieter
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for dessert connoisseurs, couples, and anyone escaping the cold.

🍠 Sweet Silence at Onion Anguk

📝 The Vibe & Taste
I stepped into Onion Anguk just as the light hit golden hour. Set inside a hanok (traditional Korean house), the space mixes old-world wood with minimalist concrete, quiet, contemplative, and earthy. K-indie music flowed gently, and the café was dotted with quiet readers and photographers. I chose their sweet potato tart a flaky, buttery shell filled with silky roasted goguma puree, lightly sweet with hints of vanilla. Paired with a glass of iced Americano, it was serene and so very Seoul.

📖 About Café Onion (Anguk)
Known for its architectural charm and locally inspired pastries, this halal-friendly café avoids alcohol and lard, making it a favorite among Muslim-friendly visitors. Their seasonal tarts and buns are house-baked daily.

📍 Location: Anguk, near Bukchon Hanok Village
💰 Price: ₩6,000 - 8,000; best to visit right at opening (8AM) for quiet photos
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for architecture lovers, dessert seekers, and solo wanderers.

🛍️ Local Snack or Food Souvenir

🎁 Sweet, Chewy, and Totally Halal: Yakgwa from Seoul

📝 The Find & the Flavor
While browsing through a charming shop in Insadong, I came across a golden, flower-shaped snack that instantly reminded me of something nostalgic. I picked up a box of yakgwa, a traditional Korean honey cookie. Biting into one, it was soft, sticky, and lightly spiced with ginger, tasting like a cross between a doughnut and baklava. It came neatly arranged in a pretty box, perfect for gifting.

📖 About Yakgwa
Yakgwa is a beloved Korean sweet, often served during holidays and celebrations. Its name means “medicinal confection,” as honey was once considered medicinal. The best part? It’s made with simple, halal-friendly ingredients: flour, sesame oil, ginger, and honey.

🛒 Where to buy: Insadong Street, Gwangjang Market, or at major grocery chains like Lotte Mart"

🎁 Travel-friendly? Yes, individually wrapped and doesn’t spoil easily!"

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Great for travelers who want a compact, halal-friendly gift with cultural flair.

🍫 A Crunchy Surprise: Halal Choco Pie Variants

📝 The Find & the Flavor
I stumbled upon a convenience store near Hongdae and found a special halal-certified version of the iconic Korean choco pie! This one had a matcha layer in the middle. The soft cake, marshmallow center, and crunchy coating came together beautifully sweet, nostalgic, and not overly rich.

📖 About Halal Choco Pie
While choco pies are a classic Korean snack, some brands now offer halal-certified versions, catering to the growing demand from Muslim travelers. They’re especially popular during school trips or as omiyage (souvenirs).

🛒 Where to buy: CU or GS25 convenience stores, or at Incheon Airport Duty Free"

🎁 Travel-friendly? Yes, comes in small boxes or single packs, perfect for stuffing in your carry-on."

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Great for travelers looking for a modern, easy-to-pack halal treat.

🍵 A Taste of Korea in a Sip: Halal Omija Tea

📝 The Find & the Flavor
At a quiet herbal shop in Bukchon Hanok Village, I picked up a pouch of omija cha, a traditional Korean tea made from five-flavor berries. The tea was tart, slightly sweet, and refreshing almost like a fruit punch but herbal and calming.

📖 About Omija Tea
Omija means “five flavor” in Korean, representing sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent tastes in one sip. It’s been a part of Korean herbal tradition for centuries and is often served cold in summer or warm in winter.

🛒 Where to buy: Bukchon Hanok Village shops, Insadong tea houses, or Olive Young"

🎁 Travel-friendly? Yes, sold in sealed tea bags or vacuum-packed dried berries"

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Great for travelers who want a soothing, health-boosting halal gift.

🛣️ Food Street or Dining Zone

🛣️ Sizzling Halal Eats on Itaewon Food Street

📝 Walking Through the Food Street
I stepped off at Itaewon Station Exit 3 into a buzzing promenade of halal eateries and glowing signboards. The air was thick with chili heat from tteokbokki, sizzling fish cakes, and shawarma rotating nearby. I followed my nose to a hotteok stall and ordered a gooey brown‑sugar pancake that crackled with sweetness at the first bite. That sticky syrup seeping into the crispy shell was unforgettable. Nearby, I grabbed halal eomuk skewers dipped in hot brotha soft, slightly chewy bite that warmed me instantly.

📖 About Itaewon Food Street
Situated around the Seoul Central Mosque, this area is packed with halal-certified and Muslim-friendly street food stalls. It’s known for savory Korean snacks, kebabs, and tteokbokki all tailored for Muslim travelers.

🍽️ What to try: Tteokbokki stall, Halal eomuk cart, Halal hotteok

🍱 Top Things to Eat Here

• Tteokbokki – spicy‑sweet chewy rice cakes
• Eomuk (fish cake skewers) – savory and warming
• Hotteok – sweet pancakes bursting with brown sugar
• Kebabs & lamb skewers – Middle Eastern flair

📅 Best time to visit: 6 - 9 PM for dinner rush
📍 How to get there: Itaewon Station Exit 3
💰 Budget: Approx. ₩3,000 - ₩6,000 per person depending on appetite

💡 Pro Tips

• Cash only at most stalls
• Follow the halal signage, those stalls are certified
• Queue = quality here; don’t skip the busiest ones

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect for Muslim travelers, street‑food lovers, and adventurous eaters on a budget.

🛣️ Halal Street Bites at Myeongdong Night Market

📝 Walking Through the Food Street
Myeongdong came alive as I entered under neon lights, crowds jostling past stalls, vendors shouting friendly greetings. The scent of frying batter, sweet hotteok, and savory tteokbokki mingled in the humid air. I decided on a halal takoyaki cart proudly displaying “Alsalam ealaykum” watching the vendor drizzle sauce and bonito flakes onto golden balls of octopus. Each bite was crisp, savory, and tender inside.

📖 About Myeongdong Street
Seoul’s most famous shopping and street‑food district, Myeongdong, now hosts many halal‑marked stalls, especially for tteokbokki, egg bread, hotteok, kebabs, and takoyaki, making halal street food accessible and visible.

🍽️ What to try: Halal takoyaki, halal tteokbokki stall, halal gyeranppang

🍱 Top Things to Eat Here

• Takoyaki – crispy octopus balls
• Tteokbokki – fiery rice cakes
• Gyeranppang – egg‑topped bread
• Hotteok – caramel‑filled pancakes

📅 Best time to visit: 6 - 9 PM for dinner rush
📍 How to get there: Myeongdong Station, Jung-gu
💰 Budget: Approx. ₩2,000 - ₩5,000 per person

💡 Pro Tips

• Look for halal certifications or Arabic signs
• Some stalls sell out by night’s end start early
• Use MUFKO/Korean Muslim app to spot halal vendors fast

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ideal for Muslim travelers, night market fans, and food explorers.

🛣️ Cozy Halal Street Snacking at Tongin Market Mini Zone

📝 Walking Through the Food Street
At Tongin Market, I walked among narrow alleys bustling with locals using yeopjeon (brass coins) to buy snacks. The grilled tteokbokki stand drew me in with its spicy‑sweet aroma. I chose a piece on a bamboo skewer. The rice cake was chewy, saucy, and just spicy enough to get my heart racing. Other vendors nearby offered gyeranppang and bungeoppang, their sweet warmth wafting through the air.

📖 About Tongin Market Zone
Known for its pay‑with‑coins street‑food stalls and historic charm, Tongin Market is a foodie destination for Korean classics like tteokbokki, gyeranppang, and bungeoppang. Halal‑friendly options are increasingly common, especially vegetarian or sea‑food based snacks. 

🍽️ What to try: Grilled tteokbokki skewer, Gyeranppang, Bungeoppang

🍱 Top Things to Eat Here

• Tongin tteokbokki – grilled, saucy bites
• Gyeranppang – egg bread snack
• Bungeoppang – fish‑shaped red‑bean pastries
• Japchae cup – stir‑fried noodle snack

📅 Best time to visit: 11 AM - 1 PM for lunch crowds
📍 How to get there: Tongin‑dong near Tongin Market, Jongno-gu
💰 Budget: Approx. ₩3,000 - ₩7,000 per person

💡 Pro Tips

• Bring cash or get yeopjeons at the info booth
• Use coins to mix and match snacks
• Early afternoon is less crowded on weekdays

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Perfect for halal‑seeking travelers, market lovers, and those craving traditional Korean bites.

✨ Final Thoughts: Discovering Seoul’s Halal-Friendly Side

Seoul may be best known for its sizzling barbecue joints and bubbling kimchi jjigae 🍲🔥, but the city’s halal food scene is a flavorful treasure waiting to be explored 🌙🍜. From cozy cafés near Itaewon ☕ to vibrant food streets with Middle Eastern flair 🥙, Seoul offers more than just food it’s a cultural experience tailored for Muslim travelers, dessert lovers, and café-hoppers alike.

Whether you're sipping a rose latte in a serene halal café 🌹☕, picking up honey-drenched walnut cookies for friends back home 🍯🥜, or indulging in lamb skewers on a busy food strip 🍢, every bite tells a story of fusion, tradition, and global hospitality 🌍.