Expanding Halal Dining Options: Tourism Bureau Launches Muslim-Friendly Restaurant Label

By Wei Ruyi, Interview & Report

With the increasing number of Muslims visiting Taiwan for tourism and business, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and the Chinese Muslim Association have established certification criteria and regulations for the Muslim Friendly Restaurant label. This allows domestic establishments applying for Halal certification to receive a "Halal Dining Muslim Friendly Restaurant" certificate and label after undergoing review, training, and audits—offering consumers greater assurance and more choices when seeking authentic Muslim cuisine.

Ma Chaoxing, Assistant Secretary-General of the Chinese Muslim Association, stated: "Previously, Muslim-owned dining establishments were identified primarily by the Halal label. To expand Halal dining options, non-Muslim restaurant operators are now awarded the Muslim Friendly Restaurant certification." Currently certified Muslim Friendly Restaurant establishments include Taipei’s Zhangjia Halal Yellow Beef Noodle Shop, Aladdin Restaurant at Leofoo Village Theme Park, Shangri-La Farmland Resort in Yilan, Southern Banquet Hall at Tai-I Eco & Leisure Farm, Holiday Inn Resort Kaohsiung, and the Japanese Autumn Grass Hall at Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Hualien.

According to the Chinese Muslim Association’s Halal Dining Management Guidelines, regardless of whether restaurant or hotel operators are Muslim, all fresh meat and seasonings used must bear recognized Islamic Halal certification. Cooking utensils must not be used for preparing non-Muslim meals, and dining areas must not display portraits of people or animals, indecent images, or serve alcohol. Otherwise, the establishment can only be labeled as offering “Muslim meals” rather than being certified Halal. Additionally, restaurants must have the capacity to provide a small space for temporary prayer use, and hotels are encouraged to have dedicated prayer rooms.

Muslims’ dietary practices are shaped by their religious beliefs. As clearly stipulated in the Quran, Muslims are required to consume only Halalan (lawful) and Tayyban (hygienic) food. Therefore, there are specific slaughtering guidelines for meats such as beef, lamb, and chicken. Pork and any items derived from or contaminated by pork, as well as cooking utensils that have touched pork, are strictly prohibited. Alcohol and blood products are also forbidden, even in the smallest amounts or as flavoring ingredients. Muslims do not eat omnivorous animals such as dogs, cats, birds of prey, amphibians, or cold-blooded creatures (like frogs, snakes, or turtles), nor do they consume food offered as religious offerings.

In 2011, Taiwan welcomed over 6 million tourists, with significant growth seen among visitors from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, and northwestern China. These travelers included a notable number of Muslims, and this trend continues. The Tourism Bureau has successively released various Muslim travel guides and promotional DVDs for Taiwan. These materials are currently available through the Chinese Muslim Association and are expected to be distributed at Taiwanese airports and tourist service centers for public access. For more information on Muslim culture and cuisine, visit the Chinese Muslim Association’s website at www.cmainroc.org.tw/.

● Related Reading: Promoting Muslim Tourism to Taiwan, Tourism Bureau Issues Halal Hospitality Certification
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