Best Halal Foods in Manila!

Manila is a bustling city known for its diverse cuisine; Halal food is no exception.

Whether you are a local or a tourist, there are many Halal food options in Manila! Let’s look at some of the best Halal foods in Manila!

What is Halal Food?

Halal is an Arabic word that means “permissible” or “lawful.” Halal food refers to any food or drinks prepared and consumed according to Islamic dietary laws. These laws specify what types of food are allowed and what types are prohibited for Muslims.

Halal food is prepared to ensure it is clean and free from any substances considered impure or harmful. The process of preparing halal food involves the following:

• The animal must be slaughtered specifically by a Muslim, who must recite a prayer before the slaughter.
• The animal must be healthy and free from any diseases or defects.
• The animal must be killed quickly and painlessly.
• The animal’s blood must be drained completely.
• The animal must not be killed in front of other animals.
• The animal must be handled and prepared separately from non-halal meat.

Halal food is not limited to meat products. It also includes fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy products prepared according to Islamic dietary laws. Halal food is consumed by Muslims and people of other religions who prefer to eat clean and healthy food.

In Manila, many restaurants and food establishments serve halal food. These establishments are certified by the Halal Certification Board of the Philippines, ensuring that food is prepared according to Islamic dietary laws.

Best Halal Foods in Manila:

1. New Bombay

There are several locations of The New Bombay, an Indian restaurant, in the greater Manila area. The restaurant’s locations in several major shopping centers make its delicious, traditional Indian fare easily accessible. 

Try some of their classic dishes like tawa kheema chicken (chunks of boneless chicken cooked in a spicy yellow gravy), chicken tikka masala (tender pieces of boneless chicken cooked in a savory tomato sauce and gravy), or chicken Madurai (boneless chicken cooked with mustard seeds and curry leaves) while you’re there. 

2. Hossein’s (Formerly Gilak By Hossein)

In 1985, Chef Hossein brought his family’s appreciation for Middle Eastern cuisine to Hossein’s. Hossein’s is a pioneer in the Philippines regarding Middle Eastern cuisine, serving modern takes on traditional Persian, Arabic, Indian, and Mediterranean dishes. 

From its humble beginnings as a three-table operation to its current size and the opening of its spin-off restaurant, Gilak, by Hossein, Chef Hossein oversaw every facet of the business. 

South Asian dishes like sabzi curry (vegetables sautéed in curry sauce) and dopiaza (meat cooked slowly in a thick curry sauce) are among the restaurant’s best offerings. Fish curry, chicken curry, and lamb curry are other popular dishes. 

3. Wardo Restaurant

Warung Indo is one of the best halal restaurants in Manila, which opened in 2016. If you are craving spicy Indonesian food, look no further than this restaurant, which specializes in Asian and Indonesian fare. Warung Indo serves up noodles and rice dishes in addition to delicious sweets. 

Warung Indo is a large, attractively decorated restaurant serving authentic Indonesian food like sate ayam (chicken satay with peanut sauce) and bakmie goreng ayam (fried chicken noodle dish). Some of their most popular dishes are beef rendang, clay pot chicken, chicken in sesame oil, and chicken curry.

4. Arya Persian Restaurant

Vegan and vegetarian options are available at Arya Persian Restaurant, which specializes in halal Iranian cuisine like kebabs. Several Arya locations can be found in Manila. 

The interior design of this restaurant, which features luxurious Persian accents and bright yellow accents, is one of its most distinctive features.

Popular items on the menu at Arya include the Royal Joojeh Kabab with pita rice, the Arya Chef Kabab with pita bread, the mourgh, the koobideh, the beef barg, the beef tandoori, the falafel, the musaka, the shirmal, the hummus, the motabal, and the mazeh sini.

5. Hassan Kabab and Steaks

Hassan Kabab and Steaks hailed as the only Persian restaurant to serve 8 varieties of garlic sauce and frosted beer, is a great choice for those searching for authentic Mediterranean fare. 

The restaurant is open around the clock, so you can get your halal lamb and chicken fixed whenever you want. The decor is reminiscent of a diner from the 1990s. There are several Hassan Kabab and Steaks restaurants in the Manila area. 

Shawarma wraps, kabab wraps, beef and chicken burritos, koobedeh combination plates, sizzling steaks, snacks like beef and chicken dynamite, chicken meals, curry meals, and more can’t be beaten.

6. Ababu persian kitchen

Ababu Persian Kitchen is another chain with a few locations in Manila. Shawarma, kebabs, and hummus are all available here.

Ababu differs from other eateries because it has a more relaxed, at-home vibe. 

Its low prices make it a hit with students and young professionals. Oven-roasted shawarma rice, charbroiled beef kebab rice, chicken kebab rice, sheik’s pie, and chicken kebab salad are some of Ababu’s most popular options. Hot sauce and garlicky yogurt sauce complement every dish.

7. Beni’s Falafel

Beni’s Falafel, located in the heart of the metro, is widely regarded as serving some of the area’s best Middle Eastern and halal-certified meat.

The restaurant’s owner, Israeli native Beni, makes their famous falafel from scratch daily. 

Falafels are filled with a nutty, creamy chickpea mixture with parsley and a generous sprinkling of herbs and spices. Other options include tabbouleh, Mediterranean, green salad with schnitzel straps, and cabbage and carrot island salad, as well as jachnun, slow-cooked Yemen delicacies with crushed tomatoes, lentil soup with pita, hamutzim, malawach, and their various salads.

8. Mister Kabab

Mister Kabab is well-known for its reasonably priced, high-quality halal chicken and lamb dishes. Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Persian dishes are all on the menu.

It’s one of the best places to satisfy a craving for kabab rice in the metro area. 

Their kebabs, which they serve with a homemade garlic sauce, are famous. Beef abgousht, a stew with beans and garbanzos, and keema, ground beef sauteed in tomatoes and chilies, are also available. You should also try their bestselling yogurt shake. 

9. Hummus Elijah

Chef Elijah wanted to introduce authentic Mediterranean cuisine to the Filipino market, so he created Hummus Elijah. The hummus at this vegetarian eatery is as good as its name suggests. 

Original flavor comes from the kitchen’s simple, fresh, and tasty ingredients. The tahini and lemon give the hummus a nice brightness, and the texture is light and airy. 

Also highly recommended are the mashawsha, spiced cooked chickpeas, and the burekas, stuffed puff pastries served with a hard-boiled egg and pickle. 

10. FETA Mediterranean

FETA Mediterranean is an online grocery store and restaurant serving food with halal-certified ingredients. Although they stock a full range of necessities, Mediterranean cuisine sets them apart. 

The restaurant’s most popular items include the Mediterranean pizza topped with meat, vegetables, and spices; the fajita made with strips of meat marinated in spices; and the beyti kebap, which is ground beef charcoal-grilled on a skewer. Fruit shakes, tea, and other cold and hot drinks are also available at Feta Mediterranean.

While the halal food scene in Manila is still growing, the city’s efforts to promote halal tourism and cater to the Muslim community are commendable. With more halal-certified establishments and events being introduced, Manila is set to become a top destination for halal foodies.

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