Muslim Students in South Korea struggle to find Halal food

Many Muslim students who study in South Korea find themselves in a completely new world that works very differently from what they are used to.

For them, finding Halal food is one of the biggest challenges.

According to the Korea Economic Institute, Korea had an estimated population of 150,000 Muslims in 2021 — 45,000 Koreans and 105,000 foreigners. As Seoul is becoming an increasingly popular destination for foreign students, with the number of international students enrolled in degree programs here rising by 20 percent from 2019 to 2021, that Muslim student population is bound to increase as well.

A possible remedy for those struggling to source Halal products is Seoul’s Islam Street.

Islam Street, the nickname given to an area of Itaewon in Yongsan District, central Seoul, that includes Usadan Street, is home to the city’s only mosque, the Seoul Central Masjid.

It is difficult enough for Muslim students to avoid pork as it is such an integral part of the Korean diet. However, finding properly sacrificed Halal meat is even more difficult and can only be obtained at restaurants that are certified Halal.