What if I told you that halal food hunting in Hong Kong is easier than you may have expected, and that the city boasts many Muslim-friendly aspects? As a Muslim traveller, finding destinations that cater to both my faith and my love for adventure can be a challenge, but Hong Kong surprised me.
I discovered a side of this vibrant metropolis that few talk about, but every Muslim traveller should know. Without further ado, here’s my experience as a Muslim traveller in this bustling city.
Day 1 (Arrival with a warm welcome)
Luckily, I landed at the Hong Kong International Airport right after the typhoon ended. I headed straight to my stay in The Mira Hotel, a stylish and comfortable stay in Tsim Sha Shui, about 30 minutes away from the airport, depending on the traffic.
It’s a Muslim-friendly hotel that made things easier from the start – even their breakfast buffet has a halal section, which is a rare and welcome touch in Hong Kong.
For dinner, I dined at Cuisine Cuisine, a refined Cantonese restaurant located inside the hotel, with halal-certified options available on request. And here’s another heartwarming welcome from The Mira itself.
A prayer mat and the Holy Quran are available in the room, with the Qibla sign also visible. A portable bidet is also available upon request.
Day 2 (Ocean views & city heights)
I started the day at Ocean Park, which is a mix of marine life, animal exhibits, and thrilling rides. One of the highlights was taking the cable car across the cliffs, with stunning views of the South China Sea.
Ocean Park also provides a prayer room, which makes it convenient to perform prayers without leaving the park, and saves you the concern of missing the daily prayers. If you’re having trouble looking for the prayer room, the employees at Ocean Park are happy to assist you.
I stopped at Jade Restaurant in The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel for lunch, which offers halal-certified options. The place also provides a prayer room facility if you wish to perform your prayers, and guess what? You’ll be facing the sea while performing your prayers.
Sweet corn and crab meat soup
Wok-fried beef with honey beans and walnuts
Aside from its Halal food selections, Hong Kong is also a destination that mesmerises me with its view, which is a must-see. In the evening, I headed to The Peak via the iconic Peak Tram.
From the top, you can expect a breathtaking panoramic view of Hong Kong’s skyline, which you don’t want to miss. The Peak Tram is operational every day from 7:30 AM to 11 PM, and you can refer to its official website for the pricing and offerings.
Sky terrace 428
The peak tram
As the sun set, I boarded the Aqua Luna Harbour Cruise to head back to Tsim Sha Shui in a relaxing ride along Victoria Harbour. Tagline, which is also a halal-certified restaurant serving flavorful Indian and Middle Eastern fusion dishes, became my choice of dinner for the day.
Day 3 (Spiritual morning & island flavours)
Jamia Mosque, the oldest mosque in Hong Kong, was my first location on the 3rd day. The mosque is located in the Mid-Levels area of Central, and is tucked away on a quiet street.
The mosque, although small, is rich in history, especially given that it was built over 100 years ago.
I took a stroll through Central, exploring its mix of colonial architecture, modern skyscrapers, and hidden alleys. For lunch, I stopped at BKK Thai Street Food, a halal-certified restaurant offering bold, authentic Thai flavours in a casual setting.
The good news is, you can get Halal-certified seafood too in Hong Kong. For that, look no further than Lamma Island, where you can expect seafood cooked to order, using the freshest catch of the day, and the flavours speak for themselves.
You can click on this link to explore the menu and the prices.
Day 4 (Childhood fantasy comes to life)
If you’re planning to stay in The Mira, you can opt for prayers at Kowloon Mosque, the biggest mosque in Hong Kong, which is less than a 5-minute walk from the hotel itself.
Following the visit to the mosque, the rest of the day I relived my childhood fantasy.
It was Hong Kong Disneyland!
From thrilling rides to charming parades and character meet-and-greets, the park offers something for all ages. Coincidentally, Hong Kong Disneyland is still celebrating its 20th anniversary, so you can expect a variety of celebrations all year long, which started on June 28 this year.
A standout moment was the fireworks show at night, lighting up the castle and sky in a truly magical finale.
Expectedly, you’re going to spend the whole day in Disneyland, but fret not! Prayer rooms (labelled as quiet rooms) are also available for Muslim travellers here, with Halal restaurants available in the area.
Day 5 (One last stroll)
On my final morning, I took a quick stroll around Tsim Sha Tsui for some last-minute shopping and to soak in the city one last time. I also managed to take the train, known as the MTR, to a few stations for a quick photograph session. During peak hours, the train’s frequency is every 2 minutes.
Muslim travellers can feel at ease in Hong Kong, thanks to its growing halal scene and inclusive facilities. It’s a city that proves you don’t have to choose between faith and adventure. Of course, there are more halal options available in Hong Kong, which you can refer to via this link.
