5 Muslim-Friendly Spots to Eat in Busan
Everyone talks about halal food in Seoul. And honestly? Seoul has it good. Myeongdong alone has enough options to keep you fed for a week without repeating a meal.
But Busan is a different story.
I spent 7 months living in Busan, and while I genuinely loved the city — the beaches, the slower pace, the fact that everything felt a little less chaotic than Seoul — finding halal food there took actual effort. Not impossible, but it required research, some travel time, and occasionally a lot of patience.
So here are five Muslim-friendly spots that I personally ate at and would recommend, especially if you're visiting Busan and don't want to spend the whole trip surviving on plain rice and seafood.
1. 반달고깃 (Half Moon Meat)
Let me be upfront with you: this place is not nearby.
It was about 1.5 hours from where I was staying in Busan, and I still went multiple times.
Why? Because Half Moon Meat is the only halal-certified Korean chicken I could find in the whole of Busan. Not Muslim-friendly. Not pork-free. It actually has the halal-approval certificate displayed inside their little shop. That's a big deal when you've been craving proper Korean fried chicken for weeks.
They also sell other items — sides, grilled corn, udon, meat cuts — and everything I tried was genuinely good. If you're staying anywhere in Busan and you're craving something that tastes like real Korean food with a proper halal stamp on it, the journey is worth it.
Address: 56 Bupyeong 1-gil, 1st floor, Jung-gu, Busan (부산 중구 부평1길 56 1층)
Contact: Not publicly listed — look them up on Naver Maps or Google Maps for the most current info
Hours: Please verify via Google Maps or Naver Maps before visiting as hours may vary
Find them: Search 반달고깃 on Naver Maps or Google Maps
2. 와룽 자야 음식 (Warung Jaya Mbak Tia)
This was my comfort food spot. Whenever the homesickness hit — or more accurately, whenever I was desperately craving nasi ayam penyet — this was where I went.
The owner is Indonesian, Mbak Tia herself, and she's been running this little gem in the Nampo-dong area since 2005. The food is exactly what you'd expect from an Indonesian auntie running her own place: homey, no-frills, and incredibly satisfying. Think bebek goreng, mee goreng, nasi goreng, and the kind of rendang that tastes like someone's mum made it.
The bonus? There's a small section inside that stocks Indonesian pantry staples — kicap, rempah, instant noodles, and all the things you didn't realise you needed until you're abroad trying to cook at home. I'd regularly come here just to restock my kitchen.
If you're from Singapore or Malaysia and you're missing that taste of home, this place will sort you out.
Address: 4 Gwangbok-ro 49beon-gil, Jung-gu, Busan (부산 중구 광복로49번길 4)
Contact: +82 10-8586-0956
Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Facebook:facebook.com/jaya.warung.1
3. 하이 아시아 펀자브 (Hi Asia)
You know how in almost every country, the halal options abroad tend to default to one reliable Indian restaurant? Halal Asia fits that description on the surface, but it's a solid option — especially given where it's located.
The briyani is good, portions are generous, and it's right by Haeundae Beach. Which means if you're already there for the beach, the sunset, or just exploring that stretch, you'll probably walk past it anyway. Might as well stop in for a meal.
It's not groundbreaking, but it's reliable, and when you're in a city where halal options are genuinely limited, "reliable" counts for a lot.
Address: 31 Gunam-ro, 2nd floor, Haeundae-gu, Busan (부산 해운대구 구남로 31 2층)
Contact: +82 51-731-1947
Hours: Daily, 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
4. 자갈치시장 (Jagalchi Fish Market)
This one isn't a restaurant — it's an experience.
Jagalchi is Korea's largest seafood market, right at the port, and if you go in the morning, you can literally watch the catch come in from the boats. It doesn't get fresher than that. The market has seafood restaurants inside and around it, most of which serve seafood-only dishes — which is naturally the safer bet for Muslim travelers navigating the grey areas of Korean food.
A few things to note: it is a bit touristy, so prices can vary. I'd recommend walking around and checking out a few different stalls or restaurants before you commit to one. And this one is definitely better enjoyed with a group — sharing a big spread of seafood with a few people is just the way to do it here.
Not halal-certified, but if you're comfortable with pure seafood options, this is one of the most memorable meals you'll have in Busan.
Address: 52 Jagalchihaean-ro, Jung-gu, Busan (부산 중구 자갈치해안로 52)
Contact: +82 51-713-8000
Hours: Daily 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM (2nd floor restaurants from 9:00 AM); closed on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month
Website:jagalchimarket.busanhaeo.go.kr
5. 박옥희 할매집원조복국 (Bak Ok-hee Halmaejip Wonjobokguk)
Yes, the name is a mouthful. Save it to your phone now.
This is a puffer fish specialty restaurant — bokguk is a traditional Korean puffer fish soup — and I was genuinely happy when I walked in and found that they already had a Muslim-friendly menu ready to go. No awkward back-and-forth, no trying to explain your dietary needs through Google Translate. They were prepared. That said, if you want to be extra safe, you can always call or message ahead to request the Muslim-friendly menu in advance.
My friend and I bought the set meal for 2 pax and genuinely had a good time. It's the kind of restaurant where you get to eat something that feels properly, authentically Korean — which is honestly hard to come by as a Muslim traveler in Busan.
Address: 28 Dalmaji-gil 62beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan (부산 해운대구 달맞이길62번길 28)
Contact: +82 51-747-7625
Hours: Open 24 hours, 365 days a year
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Busan's halal scene is growing, but it's still nowhere near what Seoul offers. Most fully halal-certified spots here lean international — Indonesian, Indian, Turkish — so if you're chasing authentic Korean food with a halal stamp, it takes more legwork.
When navigating the more "Muslim-friendly" spots (as opposed to fully certified ones), it helps to ask specifically about meats, alcohol-based sauces in marinades, and shared cooking utensils. Google Translate will be your best friend, or pick up a few phrases — even a simple "gogi eobs-eo-yo?" (is there no meat?) goes a long way.
Also worth knowing: Busan has a mosque — Busan Al-Fatah Mosque near Dusil Station — which is a useful landmark when you're orienting yourself around halal-friendly areas of the city.
Busan is still 100% worth the trip. You just need to go in knowing where to look.
Have questions about eating halal in Busan or Korea? Drop them in the comments — I'll do my best to help!
Disclaimer: All photos in this post are credited to their respective owners. Images sourced from Naver Maps. No copyright infringement intended. Not all restaurants listed in this post are halal-certified. Some are Muslim-friendly or seafood-only establishments. It is your own responsibility to verify the halal status of any restaurant before dining, including asking about ingredients, cooking methods, and shared utensils. Please refer to our full Halal Disclaimer for more information. Dine at your own discretion.