Pork-free and Halal Food in Korea — What to Watch For

Where pork hides

Dumplings (만두) are usually pork and vegetable.
Ham and sausage go into gimbap, army base stew, street toast, corn dogs and fried rice.
Black bean sauce (짜장) at Korean-Chinese restaurants is cooked with pork.
Soups such as gukbap and gamjatang are made from pork bones; kimchi stew usually has pork in it.
Sundae (blood sausage) and most market snacks with sausage are pork.

Alcohol and other concerns

Marinades and braises often use cooking wine (맛술 or 미림), for example bulgogi, galbi and braised dishes.
Beef and chicken in ordinary restaurants are not halal-slaughtered. “Pork-free” is not the same as halal.

Finding halal food

Look for restaurants certified by the Korea Muslim Federation (KMF), or listed as Muslim-friendly by the Korea Tourism Organization. Itaewon in Seoul, near the Seoul Central Mosque, has the largest concentration. Seafood and vegetable dishes elsewhere can be options — ask about broth and cooking wine.

Usually pork-free

These dishes do not normally contain pork. Recipes vary, and the list includes beef and chicken dishes that are not halal.

Pork-free and Halal Eating in Korea 돼지고기 없는 음식·할랄

Useful phrases

Where pork hides

Alcohol and other concerns

Finding halal food

Usually pork-free

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