For Muslims, it’s getting easier than ever to find halal restaurants and food centers. The Arabic term “halal” literally translates to “permissible.” Based on the guidelines provided in the Holy Book, the Quran, halal is mainly coined in terms of food, illustrating what is allowed to be eaten. There is a special process for preparing meat for consumption. Anything that comes from a pig is not permitted, and as for drinks, alcohol is looked down upon since it affects one’s behavior.

There is a bit of a cultural boundary for Muslims interested in Korea. Korea is particularly known for being a pro-alcohol consumption society, and meat is incorporated in many Korean dishes. Korean pork belly, or samgyeopsal (삼겹살), sirloin, or deungshim (등심), and tenderloin, or anshim (안심) are the most common and the most popular meats eaten along with alcohol and are used in a variety of dishes. Since the Korean wave, many Muslims have been wanting to try this cuisine, and for those living in Korea, there is a silver lining.

Halal Restaurants and Food Stops in Korea

For those visiting South Korea, finding food is getting a lot easier. As of this year, there are 13 halal-certified restaurants in Korea, with many others claimed as self-certified or Muslim-friendly. EID (이드) restaurant in Itaewon, Seoul, is one of the first halal-certified restaurants in Korea. It opened its doors in 2014 and has since served authentic Korean cuisine. Although the menu isn’t as varied as others, their dishes such as beef bulgogi and ginseng chicken soup are sought after for offering its small taste of Korea to Muslims everywhere.

Halal food is not limited to being served in restaurants. The BoA Guesthouse serves halal Korean dishes and even offers take-out that you can order by messaging the restaurant on Facebook. The guesthouse is popular for their packed lunchboxes, called doshiraks, but they also serve Korean favorites like jajangmyeong and tteokbokki.

Korean barbecue is also a big part of Korean society, and this barbecue restaurant rivals those shown in dramas. Yang Good BBQ is one of the few barbecue-specific restaurants in Korea that is Muslim-friendly. Located in Yeoksam in Seoul, the lamb meat is the main dish, mouth-wateringly delicious and served tender or marinated in Korean sauces. Although alcohol is served here for non-Muslims, the rest of the food is halal-certified!

Homemade Korean Dishes

Restaurants are not the only way to taste Korean food. Token meals and dishes can be made at home with the right ingredients. Vegetables may not be everyone’s favorite, but they’re used in the vast majority of Korean food. Napa cabbages, for example, are commonly used to make the famous kimchi. Green onion and Korean radish can usually be found in dishes cut or diced or used as garnish. Seaweed and fish cakes are essential ingredients when cooking seafood related meals, like seaweed soup, or myeokguk. All meat can be substituted for halal meat that can be found in local grocers. Cooking at home is a sure fire way to know that every single ingredient used and cooked is halal and homemade! Simple recipes can be found online and on Korean-specific cooking blogs like www.maangchi.com or www.mykoreankitchen.com.

Korean Ramyeon

Ramyeon (라면) is a favorite among many students for its cheap price and convenience—find it in any corner store. Thus, many variations of ramyeon makes for diverse recipes and a fun cooking experience. Adding vegetables, meats, eggs, cheese, and other garnishes can really up the flavor to the instant noodles, and they don’t take too long to make! Just turn the heat on high and stir constantly until they’re cooked perfectly (and not stuck to the pot).

Korean cuisine may be considered a turnoff when it comes to searching for halal-only meals based on the stereotypes represented in the media by meat and alcohol enthusiasts. Yet many people are missing the opportunity to taste authentic Korean cuisine. Whether it’s a dine-out dish or made for a home dinner party, there is something about that fresh and spicy taste hinting at a unique mix of flavor that only a Korean dish can give. Those K-Drama food scenes can definitely be a reality now!