Yes, opposite to standard perception, Taipei has a great number of Taiwanese meals that’s Halal — and it’s not simply kebabs!
When travelling in a non-Muslim nation, I normally cook dinner or eat bread.
And if eating exterior, Halal choices are normally restricted to Indian and Middle Eastern meals. Don’t get me fallacious, these cuisines SLAP. But I didn’t journey all the way in which simply to have kebabs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
On a latest solo journey to Taipei, I used to be stunned to search out that this non-muslim nation is extraordinarily conscious of what it entails to be Muslim. It was straightforward to search out prayer rooms, bogs with bidets and Halal licensed snacks all through town. I even had locals advising me on whether or not or not their meals was alright for me to eat!
If you’re muslim (or travelling with Muslim associates), right here’s our information to Halal meals in Taipei, together with MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Beef Noodles, genuine Taiwanese Breakfast, and snacks!
1) 馬叔餅舖 Uncle Ma’s/清真風懷舊北京小點
Halal standing: Halal licensed by the Taipei Grand Mosque and Muslim-Owned
Run by a Taiwanese Muslim, Uncle Ma’s is the one place on this record that sells Halal Shao Bing and freshly made conventional Taiwanese candy pastries.
I observed many locals ordering takeaways of the Beef Shao Bing (NT$65, ~S$2.90) — and I can perceive why. The pastry’s texture was in-between flaky and bread-y, layered with Chinese five-spice or beef marinade — very flavourful.
The chilly beef slices had been tender and simple to chew. I ordered it to-go (with the meat separated) and had it for breakfast the following day — nonetheless scrumptious!
Photo credit score: 馬叔餅舖
Uncle Ma’s additionally serves Beijing-style snacks and Taiwanese staples like beef noodles and dumplings.
Though these Beef Soup Dumplings (NT$150, ~S$6.70) had a pores and skin that was not as QQ as I’d hoped, the meat filling was generously portioned with the occasional crunch from the chives. The broth was delicate — a great place to begin for these unfamiliar to the natural notes of Chinese delicacies.
Their location is barely out of the way in which from town centre however is as native because it will get! Uncle Ma’s is tucked on the finish of a neighborhood market in Linyi Street at Dongmen MRT Station. I extremely suggest stopping by should you’re within the space.
*Pro-tip: Most of the employees don’t perceive English however an English menu is out there. Use Google Translate in case you have particular requests.
馬叔餅舖 Uncle Ma’s/清真風懷舊北京小點
Cost: From NT$40 – 200 (~S$1.80 – 8.90)
Opening hours: 7AM – 6PM (opens 7.30AM on Sat & Sun, closed on Fri)
Address: No. 67之2號, Linyi St, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
How to get there: Exit 1 at Dongmen Station. Turn left into Linyi avenue and also you’ll enter an alley of retailers. Just hold strolling straight.
2) Halal Chinese Beef Noodle Restaurant
Halal standing: Certified Muslim Friendly by Central Asia Bell International Standard Verification Co.
I’ll lower to the chase — this MICHELIN Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurant takes the crown for the very best broth of the journey.
Halal Chinese Beef Noodle Restaurant has a wide range of clear soups and dry noodles — however I ordered the Braised Beef Noodle with Tendon (NT$230, ~S$10.15) as a result of it had a little bit crown on it hehe.
The noodle itself was alright however it’s important to eat it shortly because it goes from al dente to comfortable quick. The beef had a bit extra chew than I hoped for and the tendons had been buttery comfortable.
The broth was spectacular and throughout flavour-town — natural, naturally meaty, and never too greasy. Portions served listed here are massive and though I couldn’t end the noodles, I inhaled each drop of that broth.
Throughout the meal, free-flow sizzling barley tea was served. The roasty and earthy flavour was nice at slicing by way of the richness of the noodle soup.
Photo credit score: Kuliner Halal Taiwan by way of Facebook
The restaurant additionally serves different aspect dishes — I observed many tables ordering the Chinese northeast handmade pancake with beef stir fry.
Halal Chinese Beef Noodle Restaurant has an OG outlet in Da’an however I visited the one in Xinyi District — the fancier aspect of city. With all this Muslim-friendly meals to expertise in Taipei at an inexpensive worth, it’s no marvel the restaurant is awarded the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Award.
*Note: This restaurant prices service cost.
Halal Chinese Beef Noodle Restaurant (Xinyi District)
Cost: From NT$150 – 265 (~S$6.70 – 11.70)
Opening hours: 11AM – 9.30PM (closes 10PM on Fri & Sat)
Address: Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Taipei Xinyi Place A8, 110, Taiwan, Taipei City, Xinyi District, Songgao Rd, 12號新光三越B2
3) Chang’s Beef Noodles Shop (張家清真黃牛肉麵館)
Halal standing: Halal licensed by the Chinese Muslim Association and Muslim-Owned
Closer to town, you’ll discover Chang’s Beef Noodles Shop. Run by a Taiwanese-Muslim woman, this tasty and reasonably priced Niu Rou Mian (Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup) spot is positioned in a quiet avenue simply an eight minute stroll from Ximending Walking Street.
Dou Jiang (soy milk) is typical in a Taiwanese breakfast so ordering one is non-negotiable on this restaurant.
I attempted it each heat and chilly and located that the latter was the tastiest. It was clean and had a pleasing, distinguished bean flavour with a pure sweetness — considerably completely different from what I’ve tried in Singapore. If there’s just one factor to order at Chang’s Beef Noodles, it’s a chilly Dou Jiang (NT$20, ~S$0.90)!
Other than Niu Rou Mian, different meatless noodles like Shacha Sauce (Chinese barbeque sauce) Noodles and Sesame Oil Noodles can be found too. Don’t neglect to choose a aspect dish (non-compulsory) — like pickled greens or wooden ear mushrooms — to finish your noodle meal!
The Scallion Pancake with Beef and Eggs (NT$100, ~S$4.50) can be price a strive. The beef is brushed with a barely salty and umami sauce. The pancake’s texture is just like immediate prata in Singapore however the softness is certainly a distinct expertise!
It’s a filling snack you’ll be able to have on-the-go. A meatless model (NT$40, ~S$1.80) with egg and sauce on the aspect can be accessible.
Noodles are prepared at 10AM whereas different dishes like pot stickers (beef or leek) and dumplings can be found from 11AM onwards — contemplate having brunch right here!
At the time of go to, there have been solely Chinese menus however the proprietor understood English and would clarify the dishes after I pointed to issues. There can be a nook with prayer mats accessible to carry out your prayers.
Chang’s Beef Noodles Shop 張家清真黃牛肉麵館
Cost: From NT$9 – 220 (~S$0.35 – 9.70)
Opening hours: 10AM – 7.30PM
Address: No. 21, Yanping S Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100 (Exit 6 Ximen Station)
4) Halal Yellow Beef Noodle House
Halal standing: Halal licensed by the Chinese Muslim Association and Muslim-Owned
Right subsequent to Chang’s is Halal Yellow Beef Noodle House. They’ve been within the enterprise for 70 years however are extra low-key than their next-door neighbour — very underrated.
Their generously-portioned beef noodle soup is available in a braised (spicy) or unique flavour. The beef is served in slices, shredded, or in rib fingers.
The Braised Rib Fingers Soup (NT$200, ~S$8.90) had the phrase pedas (spicy), however the spice degree was delicate and manageable. The broth is made with greater than ten sorts of spices and apparently, its recipe has been handed down from ancestors.
Its aroma jogged my memory of Chinese medication with out being too natural. But the spotlight of the dish for me could be the noodles which had been al dente with a QQ-bounce and chew.
Photo credit score: 清真黃牛肉麵館
Halal Yellow Beef Noodle House additionally serves meatless choices (NT$90, ~S$4) — Sesame Sauce Noodles Hot and Sour Noodles, and Dry Noodles with BBQ Sauce. But should you’ve had one too many bowls of noodles, the store gives different carbs like vermicelli and bread to have in your soup.
Photo credit score: 清真黃牛肉麵館
The employees of this Muslim-owned retailer is quick and pleasant. Though they shut at 7.30PM, I observed they fortunately accepted prospects who got here at closing time.
Halal Yellow Beef Noodle House
Cost: From NT$9 – 230 (~S$0.35 – 10.20)
Opening hours: 11AM – 7.30PM (closed on Mon)
Address: No. 23號, Yanping S Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
5) Taipei Grand Mosque
Halal standing: Muslim-Owned
An sudden Halal Street Food discover is the Taipei Grand Mosque’s Friday meals gross sales. Common to mosques around the globe, Taipei Grand Mosque has meals gross sales each Friday.
The meals bought right here is made by the Muslim neighborhood in Taipei. You’ll be within the peak of the bustle earlier than Zohor (about 11AM), with freshly stocked meals to serve individuals from everywhere in the metropolis streaming in for Friday Prayers.
You can anticipate finding home-cooked meals of varied cuisines right here — Middle Eastern, Indonesian, Myanmar, and Taiwanese!
Some genuine meals made by Taiwanese Muslims bought had been dumplings, scallion pancakes and braised rooster ft.
This Braised Tofu (NT$50, ~S$2.20) was natural and effectively seasoned.
I used to be a tad upset the Taiwanese-Muslim woman gave me a tiny little bit of chili oil — however shortly realised it was all I wanted. It was so spicy, however I couldn’t cease consuming this tofu.
This steamed peanut bun (NT$30, ~S$1.40) — made by a Muslim woman from Myanmar who has lived in Taiwan for 30 years — was an excellent, candy palette cleanser after the very spicy tofu. It had massive chunks of chopped peanuts and granules of sugar — a enjoyable texture!
Other than cooked, ready-to-eat meals, Halal frozen meats like rooster and beef are bought on Fridays too. If you’re somebody who cooks on abroad journeys, catch the truck after Friday prayers to top off in your meats. Most of the meats are sourced from New Zealand so you’ll be able to relaxation assured that you simply’re getting high quality cuts — albeit from a barely shady truck.
Taipei Grand Mosque
Cost: From NT$30 (~S$1.40)
Opening hours: Every Friday earlier than Zohor prayers
Address: No. 62號, Section 2, Xinsheng S Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10650
6) Fried Chicken Master
Halal standing: Certified Muslim Friendly by The Chinese Muslim Association
Photo credit score: Fried Chicken Master by way of Facebook
A visit to Taiwan with out making an attempt Taiwanese Fried Chicken is a wasted journey — and Fried Chicken Master is a well-liked and Halal meals choice in Taipei.
Photo credit score: Fried Chicken Master
Their rooster bought in shops are recent, by no means frozen and seasoned with Taiwanese spices. The outcome — a golden, crunchy and juicy piece of fried rooster.
A ji pai (fried rooster steak) in both a boneless fried rooster breast (NT$49, ~S$2.20), fried rooster breast (NT$75, ~S$3.40) or boneless fried rooster thigh (NT$75, ~S$3.40) is a typical order.
Photo credit score: Fried Chicken Master
Vegetarian choices like fried king oyster mushroom (NT$69, ~S$3.10), fried inexperienced beans (NT$49, ~S$2.20) and candy potato (NT$39, ~S$1.80) are bought too!
Photo credit score: Fried Chicken Master
Fried rooster grasp additionally has frozen merchandise licensed by the Islamic Commercial Development that may be discovered at some 7-11s and supermarkets.
Fried Chicken Master
Cost: From NT$39 (~S$1.80)
Opening hours: 11.30AM – 10.30PM
Address: No. 3, Lane 316, Section 3, Luosifu Road, Zhongzheng District and Nanggang
7) 水料理穆斯林友善 MUSLIM FRIENDLY 溫體牛咖哩飯
Halal standing: Certified Muslim Friendly by BellCERT however sells alcohol
Photo credit score: Kuliner Halal Taiwan by way of Facebook
Other than beef curry rice, because the identify suggests, 水料理穆斯林友善 MUSLIM FRIENDLY 溫體牛咖哩飯 sells different dishes like braised tofu, kung pao rooster and dumplings. The restaurant additionally gives recent seafood nevertheless it’s not on the menu so it’s important to ask.
As most dishes are zi char-style, this restaurant is nice for teams.
Photo credit score: Zack Lee by way of Google Reviews
The Guang Bing or Qiguang desserts (Chinese bagel) with both braised beef or oyster eggs are a must-purchase. The cake has a crusty exterior and comfortable, chewy inside.
This is a newly Muslim-friendly restaurant so menus are in Chinese.
水料理穆斯林友善 MUSLIM FRIENDLY 溫體牛咖哩飯
Cost: NT$60 – 260 (S$2.65 – 7.10)
Opening hours: 11.30AM – 2PM, 5.30PM – 8.30PM (closed on Sun)
Address: No. 17號, Lane 155, Dunhua N Rd, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105 (Taipei Arena Exit 1)
8) 陳達雅F260176130 halal food-0916249739ar9/ 麵疙瘩halal meals _台北市中山區農安街70號一樓
Halal standing: Muslim-owned
Photo credit score: @chen_taya by way of Instagram
This retailer goes by many names I can not pronounce. It’s greatest to lookup ‘麵疙瘩halal food _台北市中山區農安街70號一樓‘ or ‘陳達雅F260176130 halal food-0916249739ar9‘ on Google Maps if you’re making an attempt to navigate to it.
Photo credit score: 陳達雅F260176130 halal food-0916249739ar9 by way of Google Reviews
The retailer’s fundamental dish is Beef Gnocchi soup however snacks and sides like wooden ear mushroom salad, century eggs, braised egg and braised tofu are bought too.
Cost: NT$20 – 130 (~S$0.90 – 5.80)
Opening hours: 11.30AM – 9PM
Address: 號一樓, No. 70, Nong’an St, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10491
9) Addiction Aquatic Development
Halal Status: Pescatarian-friendly
Photo credit score: @tutor_mint by way of Instagram
Addiction Aquatic Development is the place you’ll discover the freshest seafood at cheap costs in Taipei. Live seafood merchandise and cooked ready-to-eat meals are bought all through 10 completely different sections.
Photo credit score: Aumjumma วาไรตี้..ชีวิตป้า by way of Facebook
Head to Fresh Food Supermarket (part 6) for sashimi (NT$385/tray, ~S$17), the Seafood Bar (part 3) for oysters or Charcoal Grilled Seafood Barbeque (part 5) for cooked grilled seafood like prawns and scallops.
Addiction Aquatic Development is an alternate from the standard halal meals in taipei that includes purple meat.
Note: Sauces and different elements haven’t been checked for its Halal standing. Dine at your personal discretion.
Addiction Aquatic Development
Opening hours: 7AM – 10.30PM
Address: No. 18號, Alley 2, Lane 410, Minzu E Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10491
10) Gongming Street in Tamsui
Halal standing: Vegetarian-friendly
An various to nighttime markets for muslim-friendly meals could be Gongming Street, positioned within the seaside district in New Taipei City. Shops and avenue meals carts line this avenue.
Most avenue meals carts bought vegetarian-friendly drinks and candy avenue snacks like nougat, wheel desserts and roasted corn. Vendors right here understood my dietary necessities/restrictions and guaranteed me that their elements had been okay for me to eat.
A vendor from a fried durian snack stall even mentioned “You Muslim okay ????”. His stall bought durian fritters in unique, taro and yam flavour for NT$40/piece (~S$1.80) or NT$100/3pieces (~S$4.50). The creamy and mildly candy durian and yam or taro is encased in a crispy rice flour primarily based wrapper.
Visit Gongming Street should you’re in Tamsui. There are not any crowds, it’s straightforward to navigate and outlets are effectively spaced out — decreasing the chance of cross-contamination with non-permissible objects.
Gongming Street
Opening hours: 10AM 9PM
Address: Gongming St, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 251
11) HU WEI JIE 滬尾街商號（手信店)
Halal standing: Selected vegetarian pleasant and Halal licensed snacks by numerous Halal certification our bodies
This memento snack retailer in Gongming Street was an unintentional discover of Halal-certified Taiwanese snacks.
HU WEI JIE 滬尾街商號（手信店) has the quintessential Taiwanese memento snacks — pineapple cake, crammed mochi, bamboo shoot biscuits, and fruit jellies.
Most of those Halal-certified snacks will also be discovered within the airport memento outlets on the similar costs. However, I couldn’t discover this individually-wrapped mochi from Royal Family anyplace else so I counsel getting it everytime you see.
A majority of the Halal-certified objects on this retailer are by Yuki & Love however at all times examine for the Halal signal as not all objects by the model are licensed.
You may also look out for ‘Ovo-Vegetarian’ tags, however buy at your personal discretion as these might not be ready in keeping with Islamic dietary legal guidelines.
HU WEI JIE 滬尾街商號（手信店)
Opening hours: 10AM – 9PM
Address: No. 9號, Gongming St, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 251
12) Vigor Kobo
Halal standing: Selected Halal licensed snacks by Taiwan Halal Integrity Development Association
Vigor Kobo is a confectionary promoting Taiwanese pastries and desserts — nevertheless it’s fancier than those at common memento outlets. They’re chosen as one of many high ten memento outlets in Taipei.
Halal-certified merchandise from the bakery embody:
– Pineapple Cake
– Milk Sun Cake
– Taro Milk Sun Cake
– Chestnut Roast
– Mandarin Duck Mung Bean Cake
The Pineapple Cake filling just isn’t as tangy as a Kuih Tart from Singapore however the mildness of it makes an excellent palette cleanser. The Milk Sun Cake is malty and candy — an actual deal with!
The closest Vigor Kobo outlet in Taipei is in New Taipei City — 50 minutes by public transport from Taipei Main Station.
If you’ll be able to’t make the journey, order it on-line and have it delivered proper to your lodging. It took three days for my order to reach at my resort — inclusive of weekends!
Vigor Kobo
Opening hours: 9AM – 6PM
Address: No. 93, Section 1, Chengtai Rd, Wugu District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 248
13) KUO ZANG Mini Hot Pot
Halal standing: Halal licensed and Muslim-owned
Photo credit score: 鍋棧精緻養生鍋-泰山店 by way of Facebook
If you’ve determined to make the journey to New Taipei City, chances are you’ll as effectively take a look at KUO ZANG Mini Hot Pot. It’s run by an Indian and Taiwanese Muslim couple — so you’re getting genuine flavours.
Photo credit score: @icdhalal by way of Instagram
The soup choices are in depth. There are the standard suspects like Spicy and Tom Yum however KUO ZANG has wild playing cards like Pumpkin Milk Hot Pot and Stinky Hot Pot.
Photo credit score: 鍋棧精緻養生鍋-泰山店 by way of Facebook
You may also order Stinky Tofu (fermented tofu with a powerful odor) right here as a aspect dish — a Halal various to the polarising avenue meals normally bought at evening markets.
The restaurant additionally serves free stream ice-cream and popcorn — as a result of there’s at all times room for dessert.
KUO ZANG Mini Hot Pot
Cost: NT$10 – 190 (~S$0.50 – 8.40)
Opening hours: 11AM – 11PM
Address: 243, Taiwan, New Taipei City, Taishan District, 107縣道44號
Things to do in Taiwan aside from consuming
I by no means thought Taiwan could be such a Muslim-Friendly. It’s clear from the efforts of the tourism board and the actions of locals that they do attempt to accommodate everybody. They’re in-tuned with the Muslim neighborhood’s wants. I by no means ran out of Halal meals choices in Taipei.
Here are some apps and web sites that can assist you out throughout your journey to Taiwan:
– Taiwan Halal Centre — Different Halal certification our bodies and Mosques in Taiwan
– Kuliner Halal Taiwan — Reviews of Taiwan’s Halal meals
– List of prayer rooms and bogs with bidet
– Islam Taiwan — Halal eating places and groceries in Taiwan
– Halalin
– Taiwan Halal: Tour, Restaurant (Android solely)
– Halal Taiwan (Android solely)
If you’re able to make your strategy to Taiwan, take a look at our itineraries:
– Muslim-Friendly 4D3N Taipei Itinerary — A Solo Traveller’s First Time in Taiwan
– 8D Eastern Taiwan Itinerary: The Gateway to Nature’s Best Adventures (Yilan, Hualien, Taitung and Kenting)
– 21 Exciting Things To Do In Taipei: Must-See Attractions Every First-Timer Needs to Experience
Next time somebody tries to inform you that it’s exhausting to search out Halal meals in Taipei, ship them this text!
Did we miss out on any hidden native Halal meals in Taipei? Let us know within the feedback under!