Halal Food in China 2025: Complete Guide for Muslim Travelers

Finding halal food in China is easier than most travelers expect—if you know where to look. With over 23 million Muslims living in China, halal (清真, qīngzhēn) cuisine has a strong presence across the country, from dedicated Muslim neighborhoods to certified restaurant chains.

This comprehensive guide covers everything Muslim travelers need to know about eating halal in China: how to identify halal restaurants, the best cities for halal food, useful apps, essential phrases, and practical tips for maintaining your dietary requirements.

Understanding Halal Food Culture in China

The Term "Qingzhen" (清真)

In China, halal food is called 清真 (qīngzhēn), which literally translates to "pure and true." This term appears on:

• Restaurant signs and storefronts
• Food packaging
• Menu items
• Government-issued halal certificates

How to spot it: Look for the green Arabic script or the Chinese characters 清真 on signs. Many halal restaurants also display a crescent moon and star symbol.

China's Muslim Population

China has significant Muslim communities, primarily:

Ethnic Group	Population	Primary Regions
Hui (回族)	~11 million	Nationwide, concentrated in Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai
Uyghur (维吾尔族)	~12 million	Xinjiang
Kazakh (哈萨克族)	~1.5 million	Xinjiang
Dongxiang (东乡族)	~700,000	Gansu
Salar (撒拉族)	~130,000	Qinghai, Gansu

The Hui people are particularly important for travelers because they run halal restaurants throughout China, including major tourist cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an.

Best Cities for Halal Food in China

1. Xi'an – The Halal Food Capital

Xi'an's Muslim Quarter (回民街, Huímín Jiē) is arguably the best place in China for halal food. This ancient neighborhood has been home to Hui Muslims for over 1,000 years.

Must-try dishes:

• Yangrou paomo (羊肉泡馍) – Lamb soup with crumbled bread, Xi'an's signature dish
• Roujiamo (肉夹馍) – Chinese "hamburger" with cumin-spiced lamb or beef
• Biangbiang noodles (biángbiáng面) – Hand-pulled belt noodles with chili oil
• Lamb skewers (羊肉串) – Cumin-crusted grilled lamb
• Persimmon cakes (柿子饼) – Sweet fried pastries
• Osmanthus cake (桂花糕) – Fragrant rice dessert

Where to eat:

• Muslim Quarter main street – Dozens of stalls and restaurants
• Beiyuanmen Street – Less touristy, more local options
• Great Mosque area – Restaurants near China's largest mosque

Pro tip: The Muslim Quarter gets extremely crowded after 6 PM. Visit for lunch or early afternoon for a better experience.

2. Lanzhou – Halal Noodle Heaven

Lanzhou is famous for Lanzhou beef noodles (兰州牛肉面), considered China's most popular noodle dish. The city is predominantly Muslim-friendly.

Must-try:

• Lanzhou lamian – Hand-pulled noodles in clear beef broth
• Beef with cumin – Dry-fried with heavy spices
• Lamb hot pot – Northwestern style
• Niangpi (酿皮) – Cold wheat skin noodles

Best restaurants:

• Mazilu Beef Noodles – Famous chain, multiple locations
• Any shop with long morning queues – Locals know best

3. Beijing – Hidden Halal Gems

Beijing has a historic Muslim presence, particularly around Niujie (牛街), the "Ox Street" Muslim neighborhood.

Niujie highlights:

• Niujie Mosque – One of Beijing's oldest mosques (1,000+ years)
• Juyuanlou (聚源楼) – Famous halal restaurant since 1947
• Hongbinlou (鸿宾楼) – Upscale Qingzhen cuisine
• Street food stalls – Lamb skewers, fried dough, sesame cakes

Other halal options in Beijing:

• Donglaishun (东来顺) – Famous halal hot pot chain, established 1903
• Kaorouji (烤肉季) – Historic halal BBQ restaurant
• Muslim restaurants near major tourist sites – Many exist near the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven

4. Shanghai – Modern Halal Dining

Shanghai has fewer traditional Muslim neighborhoods but offers modern halal options.

Where to find halal food:

• Huxi Mosque area – Small Muslim community with restaurants
• Hongkou District – Some Hui-run eateries
• Hotel restaurants – Major hotels often have halal options
• Middle Eastern restaurants – Lebanese, Turkish food widely available

Chains with halal options:

• Xibei (西贝莜面村) – Northwestern Chinese chain, many halal dishes
• Haidilao (海底捞) – Some locations offer halal hot pot broth

5. Xinjiang Cuisine Restaurants (Nationwide)

Xinjiang restaurants (新疆菜) serve Central Asian-influenced halal food and exist in every major Chinese city.

Must-try Xinjiang dishes:

• Big plate chicken (大盘鸡) – Chicken with potatoes and hand-pulled noodles
• Lamb polo (抓饭) – Rice pilaf with lamb and carrots
• Samsa (烤包子) – Baked lamb dumplings
• Kawap (羊肉串) – Cumin lamb skewers
• Laghman (拌面) – Hand-pulled noodles with vegetables

How to find: Search "新疆菜" or "新疆餐厅" on Amap or Dianping.

How to Identify Halal Restaurants

Visual Signs to Look For

1. Arabic script (الحلال) – Often in green
2. Chinese characters 清真 – "Qingzhen"
3. Crescent moon and star – Islamic symbol
4. Green color scheme – Common for halal establishments
5. Government halal certificate – Displayed at entrance
6. Muslim staff – Women wearing hijab, men with kufi caps

Red Flags (Not Halal)

• Restaurant serves pork dishes
• No visible halal signage
• Alcohol prominently displayed
• Mixed kitchen with non-halal items

Halal Certification in China

China has a government-regulated halal certification system:

• Islamic Association of China oversees standards
• Local Religious Affairs Bureau issues certificates
• Certificates typically displayed at restaurant entrances
• Certified restaurants undergo regular inspections

Important: Certification standards may vary by region. In Muslim-majority areas (Ningxia, Xinjiang, Gansu), standards are generally stricter.

Essential Apps for Finding Halal Food

1. Dianping (大众点评) – Best for Restaurant Reviews

How to search for halal:

1. Open Dianping
2. Search: 清真 or 清真餐厅
3. Filter by location and rating
4. Check photos for halal certificates

Pro tip: Look for restaurants with "清真" in the name—they're almost always certified.

2. Amap (高德地图) – Best for Navigation

How to use:

1. Open Amap
2. Search: 清真餐厅 (halal restaurant)
3. Results show nearby options with ratings
4. Navigate directly to chosen restaurant

3. Meituan (美团) – Food Delivery

Halal delivery options:

1. Open Meituan Waimai (美团外卖)
2. Search: 清真外卖
3. Many halal restaurants deliver
4. Filter by rating and delivery time

4. HalalTrip / Halal Navi (International Apps)

These international apps work in China but have limited coverage:

• Better for major cities
• User-contributed listings
• Some outdated information

Recommendation: Use Chinese apps (Dianping, Amap) for more comprehensive results.

Essential Chinese Phrases for Halal Dining

Basic Phrases

English	Chinese	Pinyin	Pronunciation
Halal	清真	qīngzhēn	ching-jen
Is this halal?	这是清真的吗？	Zhè shì qīngzhēn de ma?	juh shir ching-jen duh ma?
Halal restaurant	清真餐厅	qīngzhēn cāntīng	ching-jen tsahn-ting
No pork	不要猪肉	Bù yào zhūròu	boo yow joo-row
No lard	不要猪油	Bù yào zhūyóu	boo yow joo-yo
No alcohol	不要酒	Bù yào jiǔ	boo yow jyo
Muslim	穆斯林	Mùsīlín	moo-suh-lin
Beef	牛肉	niúròu	nyo-row
Lamb/Mutton	羊肉	yángròu	yahng-row
Chicken	鸡肉	jīròu	jee-row

Useful Questions

English	Chinese
Do you have halal food?	你们有清真食品吗？
Is the kitchen halal-certified?	厨房是清真认证的吗？
Is this cooked with lard?	这是用猪油做的吗？
What meat is this?	这是什么肉？

Printable Card

Save this phrase to show restaurant staff:

我是穆斯林，我需要清真食品。请问这道菜是清真的吗？不能有猪肉、猪油或酒。谢谢！

"I am Muslim. I need halal food. Is this dish halal? It cannot contain pork, lard, or alcohol. Thank you!"

Practical Tips for Muslim Travelers

1. Stay Near Muslim Neighborhoods

When booking accommodation, choose hotels near:

• Xi'an: Muslim Quarter area
• Beijing: Niujie district
• Lanzhou: City center (most restaurants are halal)
• Urumqi: City center

This ensures easy access to halal breakfast and late-night options.

2. Breakfast Strategies

Chinese hotel breakfast buffets often include pork products. Solutions:

• Request halal options – Many hotels can prepare eggs, bread, fruit
• Eat at nearby halal restaurants – Congee, noodles, steamed buns
• Bring snacks – Dates, nuts, bread from halal bakeries
• Book hotels with halal breakfast – Some 4-5 star hotels offer this

3. Avoid Hidden Pork Products

Pork is ubiquitous in Chinese cooking. Watch for:

• Lard (猪油) – Used for frying in many restaurants
• Pork floss (肉松) – Common topping on bread
• Oyster sauce – Sometimes contains oyster extract (not halal for some)
• Chicken essence (鸡精) – Usually halal, but check
• Soup stocks – May contain pork bone broth

Safe bet: Stick to clearly marked qingzhen restaurants rather than ordering "vegetarian" at regular restaurants.

4. Snacks and Packaged Food

Look for 清真 on packaging. Halal-certified snacks include:

• Niunai (牛奶) – Most milk products
• Bread from Muslim bakeries
• Dried fruits and nuts
• Some instant noodles – Check for 清真 label

Major halal snack brands:

• Baishixing (百世兴) – Halal cookies and snacks
• Xinjiang dried fruits – Raisins, apricots, walnuts

5. International Chain Options

When in doubt, these chains are generally safe:

• McDonald's/KFC – No pork, but not halal-certified (cross-contamination possible)
• Starbucks – Drinks are safe, check food items
• Subway – Can customize sandwiches, but not halal-certified

Note: These are not halal-certified, but can work in emergencies if you're flexible.

6. Vegetarian as Backup

If no halal options are available:

• Buddhist vegetarian restaurants (素食) – No meat, no garlic/onion
• Clearly vegetarian dishes – Tofu, vegetables, rice
• Fresh fruit – Always safe

7. Flight Meals

• Pre-order halal meals – Most Chinese airlines offer this
• Book 48 hours ahead – Required for special meals
• Bring backup snacks – In case of issues

Regional Halal Specialties Worth Trying

Northwestern China (Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia)

Dish	Description
Yangrou paomo	Lamb soup with hand-crumbled bread
Suan la niu'rou	Sour and spicy beef
Yangzapian	Lamb offal soup
Youxiang	Fried twisted dough

Xinjiang

Dish	Description
Dapanji	Big plate chicken with noodles
Zhuafan	Lamb pilaf rice
Kaobaozi	Baked lamb dumplings
Nang	Traditional flatbread

Beijing/Northern China

Dish	Description
Shuanyangrou	Mongolian lamb hot pot
Jiaozi	Lamb or beef dumplings
Huashaobing	Sesame flatbread
Yangrou chuanr	Cumin lamb skewers

Mosque Locations in Major Cities

Mosques often have nearby halal restaurants and can provide guidance:

Beijing

• Niujie Mosque – 88 Niujie, Xicheng District
• Dongsi Mosque – 13 Dongsi Nan Dajie

Xi'an

• Great Mosque – 30 Huajue Lane, Muslim Quarter

Shanghai

• Huxi Mosque – 1328 Changde Road
• Xiaotaoyuan Mosque – 52 Xiaotaoyuan Street

Guangzhou

• Huaisheng Mosque – 56 Guangta Road (one of the oldest in China)

Lanzhou

• Xiguan Mosque – City center

Sample Halal Food Itinerary: 3-Day Xi'an Trip

Day 1: Muslim Quarter Exploration

• Breakfast: Lamb soup (羊肉汤) near Great Mosque
• Lunch: Yangrou paomo at famous shop
• Afternoon: Explore mosque, tea houses
• Dinner: Lamb skewers and biangbiang noodles

Day 2: Beyond the Quarter

• Breakfast: Roujiamo and soy milk
• Lunch: Halal restaurant near Terracotta Warriors
• Dinner: Hot pot in Hui restaurant

Day 3: Street Food Day

• Breakfast: Persimmon cakes and rose pastries
• Lunch: Mix of street food—kebabs, dumplings, cold noodles
• Snacks: Pomegranate juice, dried fruits
• Dinner: Farewell feast—full Qingzhen banquet

Frequently Asked Questions

Is halal food expensive in China?

No. Halal food is generally the same price or cheaper than non-halal options. Street food costs ¥10-30 ($1.50-4), and restaurant meals ¥30-80 ($4-11) per person.

Can I trust "qingzhen" labeling?

In Muslim-majority areas and established restaurants, yes. In smaller cities or non-Muslim areas, verify by checking for Arabic script, certificates, and Muslim staff.

What about seafood?

Most Muslims consider seafood halal. China has excellent seafood, especially in coastal cities. Ensure it's not cooked with lard or alcohol.

Are there halal options in small towns?

Limited. Plan ahead by packing snacks or identifying the one local Muslim restaurant (most towns have at least one Lanzhou noodle shop).

How do I find halal breakfast?

Look for 清真早餐 on Dianping. Common options: beef noodles, congee, steamed buns, fried dough, soy milk.

Final Tips

1. Download Dianping and Amap before arriving
2. Save key phrases on your phone to show staff
3. Stay near Muslim neighborhoods when possible
4. Don't be shy – Ask directly if food is qingzhen
5. Join Muslim travel groups – WeChat groups share updated restaurant lists
6. Be flexible – Halal options exist but require some effort outside major cities

Finding halal food in China is absolutely manageable with preparation. The country's rich Islamic culinary heritage, particularly in the northwest and major cities, offers some of the most delicious and authentic halal cuisine in Asia.

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Need more help navigating China? The China Survival Kit includes printable halal food cards, offline phrase guides, and city-specific restaurant recommendations.