Yes, opposite to in style perception, Taipei has a very good number of Taiwanese meals that’s Halal — and it’s not simply kebabs!
When travelling in a non-Muslim nation, I normally prepare dinner or eat bread.
And if eating outdoors, Halal choices are normally restricted to Indian and Middle Eastern meals. Don’t get me unsuitable, these cuisines SLAP. But I didn’t journey all the way in which simply to have kebabs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
On a current 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 devour!
If you’re muslim (or travelling with Muslim pals), right here’s our information to Halal meals in Taipei, together with MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Beef Noodles, genuine Taiwanese Breakfast, and snacks!
Read extra: Pro-Tips to Finding Halal Food in a Non-Muslim Country (coming quickly!)
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 checklist 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 straightforward to chew. I ordered it to-go (with the meat separated) and had it for breakfast the subsequent 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 very good 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 an area market in Linyi Street at Dongmen MRT Station. I extremely suggest stopping by when you’re within the space.
*Pro-tip: Most of the workers don’t perceive English however an English menu is obtainable. Use Google Translate you probably 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 road and also you’ll enter an alley of retailers. Just preserve strolling straight.
2) Halal Chinese Beef Noodle Restaurant
Halal standing: Certified Muslim Friendly by Central Asia Bell International Standard Verification Co.
I’ll minimize to the chase — this MICHELIN Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurant takes the crown for one of the 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 bit crown on it hehe.
The noodle itself was alright however it’s a must to eat it shortly because it goes from al dente to tender quick. The beef had a bit extra chew than I hoped for and the tendons had been buttery tender.
The broth was spectacular and throughout flavour-town — natural, naturally meaty, and never too greasy. Portions served listed here are giant and though I couldn’t end the noodles, I inhaled each drop of that broth.
Throughout the meal, free-flow scorching barley tea was served. The roasty and earthy flavour was nice at slicing by the richness of the noodle soup.
Photo credit score: Kuliner Halal Taiwan through Facebook
The restaurant additionally serves different facet 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 facet 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 costs 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 inexpensive Niu Rou Mian (Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup) spot is positioned in a quiet road 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 nice, outstanding 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 overlook to select a facet dish (optionally available) — 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 value a strive. The beef is brushed with a barely salty and umami sauce. The pancake’s texture is just like prompt prata in Singapore however the softness is unquestionably a unique expertise!
It’s a filling snack you may have on-the-go. A meatless model (NT$40, ~S$1.80) with egg and sauce on the facet 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 once 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 authentic 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 drugs with out being too natural. But the spotlight of the dish for me can 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 when you’ve had one too many bowls of noodles, the store presents different carbs like vermicelli and bread to have in your soup.
Photo credit score: 清真黃牛肉麵館
The workers of this Muslim-owned retailer is quick and pleasant. Though they shut at 7.30PM, I observed they fortunately accepted clients 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 surprising Halal Street Food discover is the Taipei Grand Mosque’s Friday meals gross sales. Common to mosques all over the world, Taipei Grand Mosque has meals gross sales each Friday.
The meals bought right here is made by the Muslim group in Taipei. You’ll be within the peak of the bustle earlier than Zohor (about 11AM), with freshly stocked meals to serve folks 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 toes.
This Braised Tofu (NT$50, ~S$2.20) was natural and properly seasoned.
I used to be a tad dissatisfied 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 ideal, candy palette cleanser after the very spicy tofu. It had giant 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 refill in your meats. Most of the meats are sourced from New Zealand so you may relaxation assured that you just’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 through 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 possibility 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 through Facebook
Other than beef curry rice, because the title 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 presents recent seafood nevertheless it’s not on the menu so it’s a must to ask.
As most dishes are zi char-style, this restaurant is nice for teams.
Photo credit score: Zack Lee through Google Reviews
The Guang Bing or Qiguang truffles (Chinese bagel) with both braised beef or oyster eggs are a must-purchase. The cake has a crusty exterior and tender, 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 through Instagram
This retailer goes by many names I can’t pronounce. It’s greatest to search for ‘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 through 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 through 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 through 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 entails crimson 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 different to nighttime markets for muslim-friendly meals can be Gongming Street, positioned within the seaside district in New Taipei City. Shops and road meals carts line this road.
Most road meals carts bought vegetarian-friendly drinks and candy road snacks like nougat, wheel truffles and roasted corn. Vendors right here understood my dietary necessities/restrictions and guaranteed me that their elements had been okay for me to devour.
A vendor from a fried durian snack stall even stated “You Muslim okay ????”. His stall bought durian fritters in authentic, 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 based mostly wrapper.
Visit Gongming Street when you’re in Tamsui. There aren’t any crowds, it’s straightforward to navigate and outlets are properly spaced out — decreasing the danger 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 varied 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 may 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 all the time verify for the Halal signal as not all objects by the model are licensed.
You also can look out for ‘Ovo-Vegetarian’ tags, however buy at your personal discretion as these might not be ready in line 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 truffles — nevertheless it’s fancier than those at common memento outlets. They’re chosen as one of many prime ten memento outlets in Taipei.
Halal-certified merchandise from the bakery embrace:
– Pineapple Cake
– Milk Sun Cake
– Taro Milk Sun Cake
– Chestnut Roast
– Mandarin Duck Mung Bean Cake
The Pineapple Cake filling shouldn’t be as tangy as a Kuih Tart from Singapore however the mildness of it makes an ideal 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 may’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 through Facebook
If you’ve determined to make the journey to New Taipei City, chances are you’ll as properly try KUO ZANG Mini Hot Pot. It’s run by an Indian and Taiwanese Muslim couple — so you understand you’re getting genuine flavours.
Photo credit score: @icdhalal through Instagram
The soup choices are intensive. 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 through Facebook
You also can order Stinky Tofu (fermented tofu with a robust odor) right here as a facet dish — a Halal different to the polarising road meals normally bought at evening markets.
The restaurant additionally serves free stream ice-cream and popcorn — as a result of there’s all the time 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 can 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 group’s wants. I by no means ran out of Halal meals choices in Taipei.
Here are some apps and web sites that will help 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 approach to Taiwan, try 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 arduous 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 beneath!