Post credits to: HHWT
Just the mere thought of escaping to Taipei has us daydreaming over the endless Taiwanese cuisine to try. The famous beef noodle soup may be the first thing you would scribble onto your checklist, but Taiwan’s brightly-lit metropolis is also known for their plethora of seafood and vegetarian dishes. Now, the next time you arrive in Taipei with unfulfilled cravings, consider your lunch and dinner settled at these Muslim-friendly eateries.
1. Really Good Seafood
When you walk into a restaurant with a name as straight-forward as Really Good Seafood, you know what you’re getting yourself into. 😉 True to its name, seafood reigns supreme in their menu. Of course, what sets them apart from other eateries is their separate selection of Muslim-friendly set meals.
Solo diners can nudge the waiter for the nine-course food extravaganza that begins with assorted sashimi, teases with pan-fried scallop in French style, and ends with seasonal fruit and homemade dessert.
If you come in a group of ten, bid your hunger pangs goodbye with an extensive eleven-course set meal that starts with steamed prawn with garlic sauce, satiates with grilled lamb chop and crispy chicken, and finishes with fruits and homemade desserts.
Address: No. 222, Section 1, Fuxing South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan.
Operating hours: Mon – Sun: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 9.30pm
Price: NT$1680 (set meal for one) – NT$15,800 (set meals for a group of ten)
Contact: +886-2-2771-3000
Directions: Take the Bannan Line to MRT Zhongxiao Fuxing Station and enjoy a 9-minute walk along Fuxing South Road where the restaurant is located.
2. Dingxian 101
If the first eatery got you hooked with Taiwanese seafood, Dingxian 101 also presents a selection of not one, but six Muslim-friendly set meals with different price points.
No matter where your wallet takes you, every set meal comes with immaculate presentation and rich flavours. Just sit comfortably and prepare to be wowed by the impressive mains that include Taiwanese oyster omelette, steamed king prawn with garlic, chicken soup with stewed abalone and snow lotus, and simmered golden lobster with basmati rice.
Address: 86F, No.7, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Taipei City, Taiwan.
Operating hours: Mon – Sun: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 10pm
Price: NT$1380 – NT$2880 (per set meal)
Contact: +886-2-8101-868
Directions: Take the Bannan Line to MRT Taipei City Hall Station. Walk towards the south side of the MRT station to reach Songgao Road. Then, turn left to find Songzhi Road that is located on your right. You will pass by Songshou Square Park and Taipei 101 before reaching Xinyi Road. The restaurant is located on the left side of Xinyi Road (opposite Taipei City Xinyi District Office). The walk will take approximately 17 minutes.
3. Hui Guan
With a menu that is peppered with warm memories of home, Hui Guan’s down-to-earth and bright-as-sunshine interior will make you feel welcome. Led by owner Li Hai-jung who is a Muslim herself, the deep flavour profiles of her Ningxia-themed dishes will definitely have you craving for seconds. 😋
If you wish to start with something light and flavourful, try the cumin-flavoured mutton with bread while you wait for your mains to arrive. There are many main dishes to try here, but as you run your finger down the menu, keep your eyes peeled for the succulent Ningxia braised mutton and their fiery lentil noodles!
Address: No.9, Alley 51, Lane 12, Section 3, Bade Road, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan.
Operating hours: Mon – Fri: 5:30m – 11pm, Sat – Sun: 11:30am – 2pm, 5:30pm – 11pm (Closed on first and third Sun of every month)
Price: NT$140 – NT$280
Contact: +886-2-2577-9851
Directions: Take the Songshan-Xindian line to MRT Taipei Arena Station. Walk towards the left of Section 4, Nanjing East Road, and again left towards Section 1, Dunhua South Road. The walk will take approximately 15 minutes before you see the signage to Alley 52, Lane 12, Section 3, Bade Road on your left where the restaurant is located.
4. Silks Palace at the National Palace Museum
When your legs are aching from an insightful visit to the National Palace Museum, marveling at the impressive collection of ancient Chinese imperial artworks and artifacts, there is no excuse not to brave the 6 minute walk (10 minutes if you stroll 😆) to Silks Palace.
Located on the grounds of the National Palace Museum, the smart looking restaurant has received heaps of praises detailing their splendid food presentation and attentive service. A hot favourite with tour groups, Silks Palace is a great place for all to refresh and recharge with a flavourful meal after a day of sightseeing.
Address: No. 221, Section 2, Zhishan Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan.
Operating hours: Mon – Fri: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 9:30pm, Sat – Sun: 11am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 9:30pm
Price: NT$75 – NT$380
Contact: +886-2-2882-9393
Directions: Take the Tamsui-Xinyi Line to MRT Shilin Station and hop on a 15-minute taxi ride to the National Palace Museum.
5. Muslim Beef Noodles Restaurant
We can’t help but to nod in agreement when someone says a trip is incomplete without sampling the well-known Taiwanese beef noodle soup. Pictures alone are enough to conjure cravings that we never knew existed!😊
For Muslim-friendly twists of the must-try local delicacy, head over to the Muslim Beef Noodles Restaurant situated within walking distance from MRT Ximen Station. Watch as the cook masterfully decorates the bed of starchy noodles with beef stomach, cow muscles and meat before pouring richly flavoured beef broth over it.
Address: No. 23, Yanping South Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan.
Operating hours: Mon – Sat: 7:30am – 8:20pm (Closed on Sun)
Price: NT$70 – NT$170
Contact: +886-2-3365-3397
6. Chang Beef Noodle Soup
If you love having a second alternative, walk over to Chang Beef Noodle Soup restaurant that is located a few doors down Yanping South Road. Adorned with wooden furniture which gives the restaurant an understated charm, Chang is known for deliciousness in every bowl of noodle soup!
Every bowl of wheat noodles comes with a generous heap of tender beef chunks bathed in savoury beef broth and garnished with a sprinkle of spring onions. To add crunch to every slurp, you can opt for a side of vegetables😊
Address: No. 21, Yanping South Road. Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan.
Operating hours: Mon – Sun: 10:00am – 8:20pm
Price: NT$70 – NT$170
Contact: +886-2-2331-2791
7. Toko Sakura
Those who find themselves craving Indonesian cuisine must make a trip to Toko Sakura! 😁
It’s easy to miss the nondescript eatery especially if you’re not paying attention! 😆 Located on the ground floor of an office building, Toko Sakura restaurant is tucked behind an Indonesian minimart that occupies the front half of the shop space. As humble as it gets, Toko Sakura has a cosy setting, and offers delicious Indonesian food at such incredibly affordable prices. 😊
Do note that the menu is written in Bahasa Indonesia and Chinese, so if you’re not familiar with any of these languages, you may want to bust out your translation app😋 Alternatively, we recommend soto ayam, a flavourful chicken soup which you can have with a side of steaming white rice. If you want to up the spice ante in this relatively mild dish, you can ask for a scoop of sambal (chilli paste)!
#Tip: You can do your prayers at Taipei Grand Mosque as it is just a hop, skip and jump away 😉
Address: 106, Taiwan, Taipei City, Da’an District, No. 78, Section 2, Xinsheng S Rd, 106
Operating hours: Mon – Sun, 8.00am – 6.00pm
Price: NT$100 – NT$150
Contact: +886-2-2391-6011
8. Yunus Halal Restaurant
Can’t get enough of Southeast Asian cuisine? Well then, head to Yunus Halal Restaurant, because who can say no to Thai food? (Not me!)
This family-friendly restaurant has an extensive menu that includes tom yam soup, steamed seabass, stirfried kangkong and even a humble dessert selection!
And hey, don’t worry about missing your prayers either, as there is a designated prayer room in the restaurant. 😊 Just ask the staff about it!
Address: No. 36, Beining Rd., Songshan Dist., Taipei City 105, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Operating hours: Mon – Sat, 10.00am – 09.00pm
Price: NT$
Contact: +886-2-2579-528
9. BONUS: Ice Monster
Saving the best for last, we simply can’t round off our article without throwing a bonus dessert place! Whether it’s a sunny day or gloomy weather, you can also count on Ice Monster to deliver something sweet to please your palate.
A signature dessert that is well-loved by locals and tourists alike, they’re best known for churning sweet shaved iced treats in various flavours. If you’re craving for all things fruity, you may want to order fresh mango, strawberries or pineapple toppings to accompany your sinful dessert. Other flavours such as pearl milk tea, sweet peanut, coffee, and sweet red beans are also part of the yummy alternatives you can enjoy.
Address: No. 297, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan.
Operating hours: Mon – Sun: 10:30am – 11:30pm
Price: NT$30 – NT$280
Contact: +886-2-8771-3263
Directions: Take the Bannan Line to MRT Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Station and enjoy a 3-minute walk along Zhongxiao East Road to reach the shop.
Infused with rich flavours and delicious ingredients, it’s pretty difficult to resist a hot bowl of beef noodle soup or a pan-fried fresh abalone and assorted sashimi whenever you’re feeling famished. If you find yourself hungry in Taipei, now you know where to go for a memorable dining experience with your family and friends.
