Halal food refers to food that adheres to Islamic dietary laws. The Arabic word “halal” means permissible or lawful. For food to be considered halal, it must meet certain requirements for how it is prepared and processed. This includes restrictions on ingredients and slaughtering methods.
In this article, we’ll discuss the availability of halal food in Thailand. We’ll cover where to find halal restaurants, Thai dishes that are halal-friendly, and information on halal cooking schools and products in Thailand.
Is Food in Thailand Halal?
Thailand is a popular travel destination for Muslim tourists due to the widespread availability of halal food. Major cities like Bangkok have a diverse range of halal restaurants to choose from. There are also many Thai dishes that are naturally halal or can be made halal-friendly.
Some tips for finding halal food in Thailand:
- Look for restaurants certified by the Halal Standard Institute of Thailand. They will have halal certification on display.
- Search for restaurants labeled as “Muslim restaurant” or “halal food”.
- Thai-Chinese and Thai-Muslim fusion restaurants often serve halal food.
- Street food carts may cook halal upon request. Ask the vendor if they use pork/alcohol.
Thai regional cuisines to look for include:
- Southern Thai – influenced by Malay cuisine, often halal. Try khao mok gai (chicken biryani).
- Northeastern Thai (Isan) – dominated by sticky rice, grilled meats, and vegetarian dishes. Many Isan dishes are halal-friendly.
- Northern Thai – less coconut milk used than other regions. Try kaeng hang lay (pork-free burmese curry).
- Central Thai – contains more dairy products than other regions. Look for chicken and vegetable-based curries.
Best Places to Find Halal Food in Thailand
Bangkok has the highest concentration of halal restaurants in Thailand. Here are some top choices:
- Pattani Halal Restaurant – Southern Thai cuisine near Chong Nonsi BTS station.
- Tanyam Restaurant – Halal Thai and International food on Sukhumvit Soi 8.
- Mariam Restaurant – Popular Indian/Pakistani restaurant chain with multiple locations.
- Al Nour Restaurant – Middle Eastern food including shawarma and mixed grill in Silom.
Other cities with Muslim populations also have excellent halal dining options:
- Hat Yai – Kim Yong Market is filled with halal Thai-Chinese food stalls.
- Trang – Plenty of halal Southern Thai cuisine. Check out Night Market.
- Narathiwat – Muslim-run restaurants serving Malaysian and Middle Eastern food.
- Pattani – Known for nasi dagang (coconut rice with fried chicken). Also has Thai-Chinese cuisine.
Must-Try Halal Thai Dishes
Here are 12 fantastic halal Thai dishes to seek out during your travels:
- Khao man gai (Hainanese chicken rice)
- Kuaytiaw khua pet (Stir fried rice noodles with duck)
- Phat thai (Thai fried noodles)
- Tom yum goong (Spicy shrimp soup)
- Som tam (Papaya salad)
- Kaeng khiao wan kai (Green chicken curry)
- Yam neua (Spicy beef salad)
- Khao pad (Thai fried rice)
- Khao pad sapparot (Pineapple fried rice)
- Moo ping (Grilled pork skewers) *request to substitute chicken
- Khao soi (Curry noodle soup)
- Khanom thuai (Thai crepes)
What is Halal Food?
Halal food refers to food that is permissible to eat under Islamic Sharia law. For meat to be considered halal, the animal must be slaughtered according to zabiha ritual slaughter. This includes invoking Allah’s name during slaughter and ensuring a swift cut to the throat to minimize suffering.
Beyond meat, any food or drink that contains alcohol or other intoxicants is prohibited. Pork and pork by-products are also forbidden. Food must avoid cross-contamination with any non-halal ingredients during preparation, processing, and storage.
Many aspects of Thai cuisine align with halal principles such as using seafood, chicken, rice and coconut milk. Simply avoiding non-halal components like pork and alcohol allows much of Thai food to be halal-friendly.
Halal-Friendly Cooking Schools and Products
For those interested in learning how to cook halal Thai food, there are some cooking schools that cater to Muslim students. These include:
- Amita Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok – Offers special halal cooking classes and halal market tours.
- Silom Thai Cooking School in Bangkok – Provides halal ingredients for students upon request.
There are also companies producing halal-certified Thai food products for export. These include sauces, dried spices, and coconut milk from brands like Seafresh and Supanniga. Looking for the halal certification logo on packaging is the best way to identify halal-friendly Thai products.
Conclusion
Thailand offers a wide selection of halal dining options, especially in major cities and Muslim-populated regions. With some careful navigation of non-halal ingredients, much of Thai cuisine can be adapted to Muslim dietary needs. Cooking schools and halal-certified products are also increasingly available. Thailand remains a top travel spot for Muslim tourists seeking delicious and permissible Southeast Asian cuisine.
