HALAL MEALS in SEOUL
6 years ago when I stayed in Seoul for 1 month, I starved. I lost weight (which is a good thing, by the way), and I suffered if not for pre-packed rice and seaweed. So, this time, I came well prepared. With a husband and 2 kids to feed (one of them is constantly hungry), I had to choose a guesthouse with a kitchenette. After a trip to Grand Mart for cooking utensils, it was easy to plan the next meal.
While looking for the nearest departmental store/supermart, I met these nice couple selling street food, or what the Koreans call “김떡순” (Kim Ddok Soon”, a short for “Kimbap” “Ddokpokki” and “Soondae”, very common street food.
The nearest Departmental store accessible by the subway is “Grand Mart” at Sinchon Station (1 station away). You can get your groceries, breakfast, utensils, etc etc. Please remember to bring shopping carrier because they will charge you for the plastic bags.
Halal Restaurants in Seoul.
I know that there is a lot of info about “halal” restaurants in Seoul – usually located in Itaewon. While most of them probably serve halal meat etc, you need to be aware that some of these “halal” restaurants serve wine and beer in their menu. You can browse through the list of halal restaurants in their websites .You can find a list of halal restaurants here . I have not visited them all, so, please let me know your dining experience.
We went to Usmania Restaurant in Itaewon on the day we arrived. The restaurant is located on the 3rd floor, along the lane, right turn from Hamilton Hotel. 6 years ago when I was here, the staff were very kind to me and gave me lots of side helpings because I was a poor foreign student. This time I came with the family in tow. Our bill came up to about 68000 won (!).
Instead of being excited about lunch, Iman was more excited about the JYJ CD she just bought on the way to the restaurant
100% Vegetarian Restaurants
After researching a list of Vegetarian Restaurants, I shortlisted 2 that are most likely REALLY 100% vegetarian. We went to Hangwachae Restaurant at Insadong. If you can’t find it, please seek out the English speaking Information Center staff at the entrance of Insadong street. The owner is a very nice lady, whose husband is a vegetarian. All ingredient used do not contain ANY animal products at all, and yet, they’re so delicious. We’re able to taste real Korean cooking at last!
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Here you can find a list of Vegetarian restaurants around Seoul. Please be selective and read the descriptions carefully. Some might not be 100% vegetarian.
Kebab Shop
One saving grace has to be this Turkish Kebab shop smack in the middle of Hongdae. They serve delicious average costing kebabs and HALAL! (This is not to be confused with another kebab seller that operates from a push cart at the mouth of Hongik Station)(dec update: The Mr Kebab store has closed. Not sure abt the Itaewon branch. If anyone knows, please email me. I will update when I go to Itaewon on 23 Dec)
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What to bring from Singapore - a Muslim Ajumma's Guide
If you’re very particular about your food , you will suffer…..seriously. You can’t cook asam pedas in the Guesthouse lah! But if you are Ok with simple food, you will survive.
Things to bring from Singapore:
1. Instant noodles.2. Chili Ikan Bilis Flakes – get from NTUC -$3 per bottle. This is a life saver for those who can’t live without chili
3. Can tuna & sardines – whatever type you prefer.
4. Nutella spread – if you have kids.
Things you can buy from Supermarket (* Don’t buy from 24-hour provision shops – they’re a bit ex)
1. Nembi pot (4500 – 5000 won)
2. Lock & Lock Lunch Box – cheaper in Seoul than in Singapore
3. Korean spoon & chopstick set (1500 won)
4. Salad – all kinds of salad leaves…., cucumber, fruits
5. Packed pre-cooked rice 4000 won for pack of 6
6. Seaweed
7. Eggs and Mayo
8. Sliced Bread (from shelf not from the bakery)
I usually prepare a lunch box for the day trips and come back to the guesthouse for dinner, unless we decided to eat in a restaurant. Seoul is such a nice place, than we can practically eat our packed lunch anywhere. Drinks are available everywhere and if you’re not too fussy, the vending machines offer a nice variety of soft drinks, mineral water, and hot drinks.
Halal Restaurant in Incheon
We were blessed to have kind friends in Incheon. I have known Mr & Mr Kim from the time when I went to Seoul in 2006. We weren’t that close then, but over the 5 years, we’ve became closer. Her Daughter Nayeon is like a sister/daughter to me. Mrs Kim came to Singapore with her elder sister, whom I call “eldest sis” in June 2010.
They brought us to the Arabesque KMF-certified Halal Turkish restaurant. The food’s REALLY good. REALLY. I’m not sure if she’s the owner of this restaurant, but she’s married to a Korean and speaks like a Korean. We also met 3 Malaysian students who’ve studied and worked in Incheon for the past 5 years.
----- To be continued -----
