In recent years, more and more international students come to study in China. Because of different countries and different religions, the food they eat is also different. For example, those international students who believe in Islam must eat halal food. So international students from Muslim countries may worry about whether they can eat authentic halal food if they come to China to study. Don’t worry, through this article, you can learn about the most common halal food in China.

Origin of Halal Food in China

The history of halal food in China began in the Tang and Song dynasty. The diet came with Arabian and Persian merchants. With time, Muslim cuisines have inherited a lot of Chinese cooking methods, such as steaming, stewing, and roasting.

In China, halal food is prepared under strict observation of the Islamic dietary rules. Due to this, chicken, mutton, and lamb are the main ingredients. And despite the many cultures in China, halal food in China has managed to retain its characteristics and style.

In Chinese, halal food is called Qingzhen Cai (清真菜). It is easy to find in most major cities in China because of the large Muslim population in China.

Halal Foods in Xinjiang, China

Being located in the central region of the Silk Route, Xinjiang integrates a large number of ethnic minorities, among which the Uygur nationality, the Kazaks nationality, and the Hui nationality all profess the religion of Islam. Therefore, halal food occupies a large market locally.

1. Big Plate Chicken

It is said that many Sichuan people came to Xinjiang to make a living. Many of them engaged in manual labor and required economical meals to support their hard work. After researching, the "Big Plate Chicken" finally appeared.

Since the process of cooking "Big Plate Chicken" is simple and the materials are common. This dish soon became popular. It can say that "where there are Muslim restaurants, where there is Big Plate Chicken". In a certain sense, the Big Plate Chicken is the product of national unity. It has chicken nuggets as well as vegetables. In taste, there is spicy that Xinjiang people like and hemp that Sichuan people fascinate.

2. Nang

Nang is a type of round unleavened bread, topped with sesame. Nang has many good characteristics, such as being easy to make, easy to carry, long storage time, and suitable for the journey.

Nang is one of the major pasta that Xinjiang people like. Nang has a long history of over two thousand years. It has more than fifty kinds. They are all made of flour and saline water. In Uyghur, there is a saying that: people can live a day without food, but can't without Nang. It is enough to prove that Nang is important in Uyghur people's life.

3. Mutton Kebab

Kebab originated from the Uyghur and become a popular dish in Chinese Islamic cuisine. The dish has since spread across the rest of the country and become a popular street food.

People use lamb, mutton, chicken, beef, and seafood as materials. Small pieces of meat are skewered and either roasted or deep-fried. Common spices and condiments include cumin, pepper, sesame, and sesame oil.

Kebab is said a traditional food of the ancient northern nomadic people. Because kebab is easy to make, it is very popular. In the past, nomadic people were poor; kebabs brought them satiation and helped them through hard times. Therefore, in Muslims' hearts, the kebab is special and important.

4. Xinjiang Rice (Hand-Grabbed Rice)

Xinjiang Rice (Hand-Grabbed Rice) is a traditional food in Xinjiang, China. It is a staple food cooked from mutton, rice, carrots, onions, and other ingredients. It wins a high reputation among halal food in Xinjiang and an increasing growth of fondness.

Halal Food of Hui Nationality in Gansu, China

The Muslim population of Gansu Province has over a million ( of which the Hui nationality and the Dongxiang nationality contribute the majority,) which drives the expansion of halal delicacy to indispensability in the region.

1. Lanzhou Hand Pulled Noodles with Beef

This kind of hand-pulled noodle is also known as the "Lanzhou Beef Noodles," one of the most common dishes in the local area. The noodle is handmade, and it takes a cook only one or two minutes to stretch the flour cake into many needle-like noodles. Lamian is a kind of flavor food and has a special meaning to Muslims. Almost all Muslim restaurants have Lamian.

2. Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup

Pita Bread Soaked in Lamb Soup is the most distinctive traditional food in northwest China, and at the same time, one of the favorite halal foods of the Hui nationality. When the scented mutton soup mixes with the shredded pita bread all you need to do is enjoy it slowly. It is also the most popular breakfast in Xi ‘an.

3. Boiled Mutton (Hand-Grabbed Lamb)

Hand-Grabbed Lamb is a traditional food for minority nationalities in northwest China. Mutton is deemed as the foundation of local diets, where goats are always being killed for diet on each festival celebration or guests’ visits, while Hand-Grabbed Lamb would be presented as a must halal food at the banquet.

Halal Food of Hui Nationality in Yunnan, China

Yunnan Province, China, also has a significant cluster of ethnic minorities. However, being situated in southwest China, the diet custom of Yunnan Province distinguishes it from those of Muslims in the north in some ways.

1. Beef Jerky

Beef Jerky is a unique traditional food for the Hui nationality people in Yunnan, with a legendary history of technique over 700 years. Every winter, the Muslims of the Hui nationality commence choosing premium beef to make this halal food, through pickling, drying, and air-drying, ending by giving off the inviting aroma in a frying pan.

2. Steamed Chicken with Chili Sauce

Steamed Chicken with Chili Sauce is a household name in Sichuan Province and has become a classic dish at the Hui nationality banquet in Yunnan Province, as both regions state close to each other and share a blended diet culture. The Muslims of the Hui nationality have their insights of this dish, rather than pursuing the complicated condiments of Sichuan cuisine, but retain more of the original flavor of the chicken, presenting a golden appearance and providing a tender and juicy taste, which achieved the evolution of Steamed Chicken with Chili Sauce into an appetizing halal delicacy.

How to Find Amazing Halal Food in China

1. Ask a Local

Chinese people are extremely friendly and are always happy to help you. Most Chinese locals are familiar with Halal as a cuisine. Small halal eateries are a favorite stop for non-Muslim noodle lovers.

2. Look for the Halal Logos

Yes! Muslim establishments in China have clear signage indicating they serve halal food.

Signs can be in:

Chinese, 清真

Arabic, حلال

And English, Halal

It’s a good idea to save these on your phone so that you can refer to them if you get stuck.

3. Look for 'Islamic' Signs

Stereotypical designs like domes, camels, and waiters wearing Aladdin-style vests.

If you smell the heady aromas of cumin and grilled lamb, follow your nose. If you hear a Middle Eastern techno beat, follow your ears. Chances are it’s coming from a halal restaurant.

4. Look for Specific Cuisines

As we mentioned earlier, halal is a popular cuisine in China in general. When you aren’t able to easily spot halal signs, try looking for a Chinese cuisine or dish that will likely be served by Muslims. This includes Xinjiang cuisine and Hui Muslim specialty. Chances are there will also be other halal restaurants in the vicinity.

Because there are Muslim restaurants in many cities of China, here I will take Beijing as an example to introduce the 9 best halal Muslim restaurants in Beijing.

1. Hong Bin Lou (鸿宾楼)

2. Xi Lai Shun (西来顺饭庄)

3. Yi Tiao Long Restaurant (壹条龙饭庄)

4. Chai Shi Feng Wei Zhai (柴氏风味斋)

5. Ju Bao Yuan Hot Pot Restaurant (聚宝源火锅城)

6. Kao Rou Wan  (烤肉宛)

7. Xinjiang Islam Restaurant (新疆伊斯兰饭庄)

8. Crescent Moon Muslim Restaurant (弯弯月亮)

9. A Thousand And One Nights Restaurant (一千一夜餐厅）

5. Find a Mosque

You can find mosques just about anywhere in China. In Beijing alone, there are more than 70 and in Muslim majority regions towards the west, there are thousands. Like most places, Muslim communities tend to gravitate around the mosque. This means there are usually several halal places nearby. Many mosques will also have a Friday market where you can find Muslim street food stalls after Friday Prayers. What's more, you will find fellow Muslims at the mosque whom you can always ask to recommend their favorite halal places.

Halal food requirements in China are quite strict. So, before anyone can open a halal food restaurant in China, they need a halal certificate, which they get from the local Ethics and Religious Affairs Office. Also, there are regular inspections to maintain compliance. For this reason, you can enter a halal restaurant and order anything on the menu without worrying about haram practices or ingredients in your meal.