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How Muslim-Friendly Is South Korea?

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Are you a Muslim travelling to South Korea? Wondering, how easy to find halal food in South Korea? And how Muslim-friendly South Korea is? For you, here is some good news. Here’s everything you need to know about South Korea.

Muslims in South Korea

This might come as a surprise but there are quite a large of Muslim communities here; with at least 40 thousand ethnic Korean Muslims and over 100 thousand of Muslim immigrants from countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh.

South Korea and Muslim Tourists

South Korea is a popular travel destination with attractions like Seoul, Jeju Island, Busan and more. In addition to that, Kpop and Kdramas spreading across the world also contributes to its popularity. Throughout the years, more than 17 million tourists have visited South Korea in 2016.

After AirAsia a low-cost carrier airline established flights to main Korean cities, tourism from Muslim majority countries like Malaysia and Indonesia has surged dramatically.

As a response, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is working hard to accommodate these Muslim travellers by issuing relevant promotional travel materials like “Muslim-friendly restaurants in Korea”. They also have a ‘Visit Korea’ app on local tourist attractions.

Halal Food in South Korea

Halal food in Korea is halal-certified by the Korea Muslim Federation (KMF)
Source: Makan restaurant

Although pork and its products like lard and bacon are prominent in Korean cuisine and snacks, and most of the meat served in the restaurants is not halal certified. This is slowly changing as more Muslim immigrants open halal restaurants of local and their native cuisines. However, change is slow.

Itaewon, where the Seoul Mosque is located, is usually the first stop for halal food as this area is home to the most prominent Muslim-friendly eateries like Eid, Makan Murree restaurants serving halal Korean and foreign cuisines.

P.S. Start your halal food journey in Korea with these two lists of halal restaurants in Seoul and halal restaurants in Busan!

During your trip, look out for the halal South Korea restaurant certification signs by the Korean Muslim Federation (KMF), which is recognized by Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM). There are 252 restaurants around South Korea, certified under 4 categories:

  1. Officially certified as halal by the Korean Muslim Federation (KMF)
  2. Self-certified as halal
  3. Muslim friendly restaurants with halal menu
  4. Pork-free

It is to ensure Muslim visitors and locals’ piece of mind. Some of the restaurants are located in rural areas to ensure accessibility of halal food.

Categories of halal in South Korea
Source: Korea Tourism Organization

Otherwise, many travelers and working immigrants opt for seafood and vegetable based dishes when dining out. It’s always advised to research which dishes are Muslim-friendly and write down their Korean names in the local script; alternatively, print this handy lists of halal Korean dishes that includes snacks, mains and desserts, pictures, and names in English and Korean – in both Hangul and Latin transcription.

The language barrier can (and most likely will) be an issue when visiting South Korea so it’s a good idea to have some helpful phrases at hand when looking for Muslim-friendly facilities and ordering your halal Korean food.

In case you’re planning to cook while you’re visiting South Korea, there are quite a few halal supermarkets to shop for fresh ingredients. There are few located in Seoul: Foreign Food Mart, National Foods Mart, Zaaffran Mart, Al-Baraqa Halal Meat and Poultry, and Halal Meat Shop. You can also find halal marts in Busan, Incheon, Daejeon, and Ansan.

If your trip falls on September or October, look for 2-month long Halal Restaurant Week. It is an annual event that promotes Muslim-friendly restaurants by inviting renowned chefs and issuing discount coupons for various cultural activities and attractions.

Muslim-Friendly Hotels in South Korea

Muslim friendly hotels can be found in any bigger South Korean city. Most of them will remove any alcohol from the mini-bar and provide information on Muslim-friendly restaurants in their area.

P.S. The link leads to Tripfez own hotel platform where hotels are rated on how Muslim-friendly they are.

Prayer Facilities in South Korea

Tourist spot in Seoul and Jeju come equipped with prayer spaces
Source: Korea.net

There are 15 mosques and around 60 prayer rooms in the airports, universities and shopping malls. The most prominent is the Seoul Central Mosque, which welcomes around 800 worshippers for Friday prayers. There are also prayer rooms at KTO Tourism Information Centre and Coex Mall available in South Korea.

There are a few Islamic centres in South Korea such as in Seoul, Suwon, Jeju, Daegu and Gwangju as well. If you need information about Muslim-friendly attractions, halal food or simply just to interact with local Muslims – they are ready for you!

Islam in Korean Society

Islam is a minor religion in South Korea but actually, it has quite old roots. Did you know that once Korea used the Islamic calendar instead of the Chinese-based calendars widely adopted in the region? The Mongol-introduced Arab calendrical techniques offered much higher accuracy and remained in use until the early 19th century. Colloquially it was called as the Muslim Calendar, although there was no real connection with the religion.

Islamophobia in South Korea

In general, South Koreans do not pry into a person’s religion, especially the young generation.

There was a bout of anti-Muslim protests and demonstrations during the South Korean hostage crisis in Afghanistan in 2007. Taliban forces have captured and held hostage 23 Korean missionaries, two of which were killed. After that, since then anti-Muslim sentiments have all but disappeared.

And whereas the Korean society has a very understanding view about food restrictions, alcohol avoidance might be restricting one’s social groups activities.

The ban on drinking is also a problem. “When people go drinking, they leave me out. If I go with them, my not drinking can sometimes make the whole atmosphere go weird,” he said.

A 51-year-old businessman confessed that he drinks one or two glasses sometimes. “You can never do business here without drinking,” he said.”

Korean Times (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2007/08/117_8104.html)

So Is South Korea A Muslim-Friendly Country?

Yes! Koreans became increasingly more educated about Islam with the help of governmental and private organizations, and businesses have shifted resources to provide Muslim facilities. And when it comes to ordinary Koreans, they aren’t really into the religion nowadays. You can wear a headscarf or have teal-blue hair – no one is going to bat an eye… as long as it is fashionable.

A Trip To Halal South Korea Coming Soon?

If you’re visiting South Korea, we’ve also prepared a 6 day essential Korea itinerary, list of must-have apps, flower blooming guide and the spookiest places and videos of South Korea for adrenaline junkies.

Prefer to have all the travel arrangements taken care of instead? You can book with Tripfez!

Book Muslim Friendly Package to South Korea