Halal Food in Itaewon (2026): Halal Restaurants Near Seoul Central Mosque

Looking for halal food in Itaewon? The lanes leading up to Seoul Central Mosque hold the densest cluster of halal restaurants in Korea, including halal Korean food: bibimbap, bulgogi and samgyetang made without pork or alcohol. This guide explains how halal labels work in Korea, where to eat, and how to visit the mosque.

Last checked: October 2026. Certification can change; confirm with the restaurant before you order. Dollar figures use about 1,330 KRW = 1 USD (October 2026).

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How do halal labels work in Korea?

Korea Tourism Organization’s halal restaurant listings use these categories. Many Korean sauces, like gochujang, can contain alcohol; halal kitchens use alcohol-free versions.

Where can you eat halal Korean food?

EID Halal Korean Food (이드)

Run by a Korean Muslim family and widely described as one of the first halal Korean restaurants in the country. The menu covers bibimbap, jjimdak (braised chicken) and samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), with sauces made in-house to halal standards. Mains about 12,000–18,000 KRW. It has also opened branches outside Itaewon, including Hongdae.

Makan Halal Korean Restaurant (마칸)

Korean dishes such as bulgogi and dak-doritang (spicy braised chicken), plus lunch boxes. About 10,000–20,000 KRW. On Usadan-ro 10-gil, a short walk below the mosque.

What other halal food is near the mosque?

• Kervan Turkish Restaurant (케르반): mixed grills and Turkish desserts; listed as KMF certified. About 20,000–35,000 KRW. It also has a COEX branch in Gangnam.
• Usmania (우스마니아): Pakistani biryani and curries, a long-time favourite near the mosque.
• Bombay Grill (봄베이 그릴): Indian and Pakistani food (chicken biryani, curries), about 15,000–25,000 KRW.
• Sultan Kebab (술탄 케밥): quick, cheap kebabs and wraps on the main strip, about 8,000–15,000 KRW.
• Halal grocery shops and butchers line the same street if you’re self-catering.

Can you visit Seoul Central Mosque?

• Yes. Korea’s largest mosque, opened in 1976, welcomes visitors to the courtyard outside prayer times. Dress modestly; women should bring a headscarf to enter the prayer areas.
• Friday Jumu’ah prayer draws a large crowd; the surrounding restaurants are busiest afterwards.
• It’s a 5–10 minute uphill walk from Itaewon Station, Exit 3.

Map — Seoul Central Mosque: Google Maps · Naver Map (Naver Map is still the most reliable app for walking, bus and subway directions in Korea)

How do you eat halal elsewhere in Seoul?

• EID has opened branches in other districts, and Myeongdong now has a few halal and Muslim-friendly restaurants near the station.
• Street food is rarely halal: grills and fryers are shared with pork. Hotteok, roasted chestnuts and fruit are safer snacks (Myeongdong street food).
• Incheon Airport and several major tourist sites have prayer rooms; ask at tourist information counters.
• Useful phrase for any restaurant:

Tips for Muslim travellers

• Use the Korea Tourism Organization’s halal restaurant directory and the mosque’s notice board for the latest list.
• Ramen, snacks and sauces in convenience stores often contain pork extract. Check for a halal mark.
• Itaewon is also a convenient place to stay for Muslim visitors, close to the mosque and halal food (where to stay in Seoul).

FAQ

Where can I find halal food in Seoul?
The biggest cluster is on Usadan-ro 10-gil in Itaewon, near Seoul Central Mosque. There are also a few halal restaurants in Myeongdong and Hongdae.

Is there halal Korean food in Seoul?
Yes. EID and Makan in Itaewon serve halal versions of Korean dishes such as bibimbap, bulgogi and samgyetang.

What does “Muslim-friendly” mean in Korea?
The restaurant offers halal dishes but may also serve alcohol. “Halal certified” means certified by the Korea Muslim Federation.

Sources: Korea Experience – halal dining in Itaewon (2026) · Seoul Tourism – halal food in Seoul 2026 · Seoul Tourism – Itaewon guide (Oct 2026)
Photos: by kayakorea (Brandon Butler) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Aatu Dorochenko / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0