Are you a Muslim traveler or resident in South Korea, feeling overwhelmed by the lack of halal food options? Fret not, because help is at hand! In this blog post, we’ll be exploring the city of Incheon, uncovering its hidden gems of halal food options. From restaurants to grocery stores, we’ve compiled a list of halal options that will make your food hunt a breeze. Additionally, we’ll be sharing some useful tips and tricks to help make your search for halal food in Incheon a less stressful experience. Read on to find out more! Listen to the BlogCast Don’t want to read? Listen to the South of Seoul BlogCast which provides accessible content through the use of AI technology. We don’t have time to read each article but we do our best to make more of our content accessible. If you would like to join our Accessibility Team apply to volunteer with South of Seoul. Halal in Korea Halal is an Arabic word that means “lawful or permitted.” The term halal is generally used in reference to Islamic dietary practices, but it extends to other Islamic practices as well. When I first arrived in Korea, one of my main worries as an observing Muslim was access to halal and Muslim-friendly food. While living in Songdo, Incheon, I found it (understandably) challenging to access strictly Halal options as Songdo is a fairly new city. However, with a bit of research and helpful recommendations from new friends, I was able to locate halal food options near Songdo in the Incheon area. Korea has a Muslim population of over 200,000. As the Muslim community continues to grow in Korea, so do the halal and Muslim-friendly food options. The diversity of the Muslim population in the area creates a wonderful environment to enjoy and explore a variety of halal cultural cuisines. Continue reading to discover some of the halal resources available in Incheon. DISCLAIMER Please note that the restaurants mentioned in this blog may self-certify as halal, but they may not have official certification from a recognized halal certification authority. The information provided in this blog post is based on research and recommendations, but it’s always advisable for individuals to exercise their own discretion and verify the halal status of the establishments before dining. About Incheon Incheon, officially named the Incheon Metropolitan City (인천광역시), is in the northwestern region of South Korea. You can see the city of Incheon (인천시) outlined in blue on the map to the left. Incheon is made up of 8 districts (-gu) and 2 counties (-gun). Many islands of Incheon extend into the Yellow Sea. The Jung-gu district of Incheon is home to the Incheon International Airport (sometimes called the Seoul–Incheon International Airport), which is the largest airport in South Korea. And it’s likely the airport you arrived at when you reached Korea! Incheon is bordered by Seoul and Gyeonggi Province by land to the East. A subway ride from Incheon to Seoul can take anywhere between 1 to 3 hours depending on where you are traveling to or from. We recommend using Naver or Kakao Navigation apps when visiting Incheon. Both Naver and Kakao Navigation have English. Halal Restaurants in Incheon There are a variety of halal and halal-friendly restaurants in Incheon for a quick bite or a sit-down meal with friends and family. The restaurants below are only a few of the locations listed in the South of Seoul app in the Incheon area. Download the South of Seoul app for easy access to halal options in your area. Bupyeong-dong Bupyeong-dong, Incheon-si exists near Bupyeong Station. Dongchun-dong Dongchun-dong, Incheon-si exists near the Songdo Golf Club. Ongnyeon-dong Ongnyeon-dong, Incheon-si exists near the Songdo Golf Club. Songdo-dong Songdo-dong, Incheon-si exists near Incheon National University Station, Technopark Station, Campus Town Station, and more. Please note that Swagat India Restaurant is not advertised as halal, but they do offer Muslim-friendly seafood and vegetarian options. Yeonsu 2-dong Yeonsu 2-dong, Incheon-si exists near Yeonsu Station and Woninjae Station. Yonghyeon-dong Yonghyeon-dong, Incheon-si exists near Inha University Station. Halal Grocery Stores in Incheon If you prefer cooking at home or are craving a home-cooked meal, visit the halal grocery stores in Incheon for what you may need. The marts have a variety of offerings like halal meats, herbs, spices, international food products, and more. Gojan-dong Ongnyeon-dong Seoknam-dong Online Resources and Apps Along with the growing number of Muslim-friendly restaurants and grocery stores in South Korea, there are now several convenient online delivery options available for those seeking halal groceries. The following websites offer a range of halal meats, spices, produce, pantry staples, sweets, and more. Yes!Halal Al Bazaar Coupang MUFKO App South of Seoul App Naver Maps/Kakao Maps General Local Resources The local mosques/masjids listed on the Seoul Central Mosque website may be able to provide additional information and resources for Muslims residing in Korea. Additional Tips for Muslim-friendly Food in Korea Aside from halal meat options, seafood, vegetarian, and vegan restaurants are also great options for Muslim travelers or residents. Korea is a peninsula, so there is an assortment of fresh seafood offerings throughout the country. View the “Online Resources and Apps” section above for helpful tips on finding seafood and vegetarian restaurants. We also want to offer some information that may be helpful during day-to-day shopping and eating out during your time in Korea. Checking Ingredients of Packaged Goods As you’re shopping in Korean grocery stores, it’s important to be able to navigate nutrition information on food packaging to check for non-permissible ingredients. The allergen warning line will generally alert if the product contains meat or uses meat by-products (e.g., gelatin). Learn more in the following SOS blog post which addresses reading food labels: Looking for Halal: Reading Korean Food Labels. Helpful Phrases When Ordering Food Some restaurants may offer foods that contain non-permissible ingredients, but you may be able to ask them to adjust your order so those ingredients are not included. You can try saying or showing the following phrases when placing an order. Translation programs, such as Papago or Google Translate may also be helpful in translating your requests while ordering food. Sharing Halal Information with the Community While the above list provides a good starting point, it’s important to note that there may be additional halal resources in Incheon that are not included. We encourage you to explore and try out different halal establishments during your stay or travels in South Korea. If you come across any new halal or Muslim-friendly spots, we would love for you to share them with us in the South of Seoul groups (listed below) so that we can continue to expand our information and lists. Check out our blog about halal food in the Greater Pyeongtaek area to explore more halal options during your time in South Korea. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. Zahra AlsafiZahra Alsafi is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree at the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC) in Incheon, South Korea. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies from the University of Michigan. Ms. Alsafi was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, USA to Iraqi refugee parents. Inspired by her community and international experiences, she hopes to pursue public health dentistry with a focus on preventative care for immigrant and refugee populations. She is particularly interested in disseminating educational information through accessible formats. Ms. Alsafi’s public health practicum with South of Seoul Public Health will focus on dental health education for school-aged children and adults in South Korea.

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Finding an English speaking dentist in Korea can be a daunting if you don't understand the language. You may experience challenges with cultural dissonance when navigating the Korean healthcare system in regard to dental health. SOS Public Health is working to compile a list of English-accessible dental clinics in and around the Songdo area. This list will continue to grow as SOS Public Health volunteers discover new locations.

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Going to the dentist can be an intimidating experience, particularly in a new environment. Equipping yourself with some information about dental care in South Korea can make the process less intimidating. Recently, I visited Elisha International Dental Clinic in Songdo, Incheon, for an oral checkup and deep cleaning procedure covered by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). This dental clinic was recommended by the University of Utah Asia Campus. This blog post details my experience visiting Elisha International Dental Clinic as a female international student from the United States who wears a hijab. Listen to the BlogCast Don’t want to read? Listen to the South of Seoul BlogCast which provides accessible content through the use of AI technology. We don’t have time to read each article but we do our best to make more of our content accessible. If you would like to join our Accessibility Team apply to volunteer with South of Seoul. Please note that the pronunciation of some Korean words may be inaccurate due to AI technology’s limitations. Disclaimer The information in this blog post is not sponsored content. The organizations listed below are provided based on community recommendations and direct research. South of Seoul does not receive monetary compensation for posting this blog post. Importance of Dental Check-ups Brushing and flossing at home generally do not provide enough protection on their own to maintain oral health. As stated in the NHIS Health Screening pamphlet, it is important to have a dental professional perform a checkup for the “early detection of oral diseases, such as dental caries, periodontal diseases, and so on.” What Is A Dental Cleaning? Dental deep cleaning, often called scaling in Korea, is a procedure to remove dental calculus (also known as tartar) and plaque that builds up on the teeth over time and cannot be removed by brushing alone. According to Elisha International Dental Clinic, professional dental cleaning is recommended every six months, but more frequent cleanings may be necessary depending on how quickly tartar accumulates on a person’s teeth. NHIS Dental Coverage National Health Insurance Services (NHIS) subscribers can receive oral checkups as part of the general health checkup provided every two years for no additional cost. The NHIS partially covers a scaling appointment once per year. The final price of dental scaling will depend on dental clinic pricing. The NHIS does not cover X-rays as part of scaling appointments. Elisha International Dental Clinic Elisha International Dental Clinic is located near Incheon National University Station in Songdo, across the street from Lotte Mart and Songdo Convensia Center.  Recommended by the University of Utah Asia Campus, this dental clinic provides dental health services in English and Korean from a team of licensed professionals. Dr. Sun Kim received her D.D.S. from Columbia University in New York. Dr. Kim has extensive experience practicing dentistry in the United States and South Korea. Making a Dentist Appointment Elisha International Dental Clinic provides two modes of contact: messaging through KakaoTalk or calling the clinic at 032-831-0027 or 032-831-0053. Learn more about KakaoTalk and other useful apps for living in South Korea. I utilized the clinic’s KakaoTalk messaging service because, like many people my age, I don’t like making phone calls. I scheduled an appointment for an annual dental checkup and scaling. In less busy areas around Korea, you may be able to schedule an appointment in person or receive treatment as a walk-in patient. Required Information When Making a Dentist Appointment Elisha International Dental Clinic requested the following information when I scheduled an appointment through KakaoTalk. Note: These requirements will not be true for all dental clinics in South Korea. Contact your dental clinic to find out what documents they require from their patients. Appointment Day The day of my appointment finally arrived! I was initially nervous because I went to the same dentist in the United States for most of my life. So visiting a new dentist in a different country was a big change for me. Required Items for Arrival at Dentist Appointment When I arrived at the dental clinic for my appointment, a receptionist asked for the following information. The required documents may differ at other dental clinics. Contact your dental clinic to confirm what documents patients need to bring. Identification Health Insurance Payment Intake Procedures I filled out an electronic intake form on a tablet. The instructions on the form were in Korean and English, which may not be available at other dental clinics. Reading the information in English helped ease some of my initial anxiety about experiencing a language barrier when visiting a clinic in Korea. The requested information on the intake form included name, birthdate, phone number, address, insurance information, brief dental history, and any medical conditions of note. There was even an option to select how much pressure I would like the dental hygienist to use for the scaling procedure. However, this question might not be asked at other dental clinics. The front desk confirmed my appointment details: an oral checkup, X-rays, and an annual scaling treatment. I read and signed a consent form detailing the scaling procedure in Korean and English. Oral Exam/Checkup After the intake procedure, I was asked to remove any metal around my head, including my earrings and hijab pins. A dental hygienist then performed X-ray imaging of my whole mouth. The X-ray machine appeared similar to the ones used in the United States. The dental hygienist then seated me in a dental chair and took bitewing X-rays with a portable unit. The dentist, Dr. Sun Kim, joined us and reviewed the X-rays before she performed a visual oral exam. The visual oral exam included checking the state of my teeth, gums, and tongue for any signs of oral cancer. Dr. Kim dictated notes to the dental hygienist about issues that needed to be addressed (dental caries, wisdom teeth, sugar intake, etc.). We decided to complete the scheduled scaling treatment and discuss treatment options for the dentists’ concerns after. Scaling The dental hygienist began the scaling treatment by adjusting my chair and covering my face with a piece of fabric that only left the mouth exposed. The fabric functions as a shield for the eyes against bright light. It was a new experience for me since I wear goggles at dental clinics in the United States. The clinic does offer glasses/goggles if preferred. The dental hygienist used an ultrasonic scaler and other dental hand instruments during the scaling. These instruments help remove tartar and plaque builds up on the teeth. The next part of the dental cleaning was brushing, and it ended with a thorough flossing. Consultation Following the scaling treatment, the dental hygienist discussed treatment plans for the concerns noted during the doctor’s initial exam. The hygienist provided an overview of the issues, the corresponding treatment options, and their costs. Due to NHIS coverage limitations, some treatments were out of my budget. I consulted the dentist about delaying treatment for those concerns until I returned to the United States since my US insurance would cover dental fillings. For the treatments that NHIS partially covers, such as wisdom teeth extractions, I scheduled follow-up appointments. After the consultation, I paid for the completed treatments with my Korean debit card at the information desk. I paid 25,400 KRW after NHIS insurance for an oral checkup, dental scaling, X-rays, and consultation at the end of my visit. This cost may vary depending on the dental clinic you visit. Call your dentist to confirm how much your insurance will cover before your visit. Schedule Your Appointment To schedule an appointment at Elisha International Dental Clinic (엘리샤인터내셔널치과의원), call 032-831-0027 (or 032-831-0053) or send a message on KakaoTalk messenger at Kakao ID elishadental. To find a dental clinic near you, copy and paste 치과 의사 (dentist) or 치과 (dental clinic) into Naver Map or KakaoMap. Click here for information on how to use Naver Maps. Helpful Korean Dental Terms & Phrases Knowing some common dental terms before your visit to the dental clinic could come in handy. Additionally, Korean dental terms can often be used to search for specific services on Naver or Kakao maps as well. Some terms may or may not show intended results when copied and pasted into Naver Maps. However, the following list of dental terms and treatments could be useful when asking for services at a dental clinic or contacting BBB Korea for assistance. Visit this blog post for more information about finding an English speaking dentist in Songdo or how to search for one in your area. NHIS Dental Care Coverage Several dental services may be covered by Korean National Health Insurance. You can check which oral health services and procedures may be covered by National Health Insurance Services (NHIS) by calling their foreign languages hotline at 033-811-2000. Follow SOS Public Health for More Resources Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to stay updated on SOS Public Health Initiatives. If you have questions about healthcare in Korea, visit the Health and Wellness in Korea Facebook Group, or feel free to message SOS Public Health with any questions or concerns. Apply for an SOS Public Health Practicum Opportunity Are you a graduate student looking for practical experience in public health? Apply for an SOS Public Health Practicum! Click below to learn more about the SOS Public Health Practicum Program. Research Design & Implementation Team UX/UI Supervisor & Editor Research Compliance Supervisor & Editor Primary Researcher & Author Zahra AlsafiZahra Alsafi is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree at the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC) in Incheon, South Korea. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies from the University of Michigan. Ms. Alsafi was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, USA to Iraqi refugee parents. Inspired by her community and international experiences, she hopes to pursue public health dentistry with a focus on preventative care for immigrant and refugee populations. She is particularly interested in disseminating educational information through accessible formats. Ms. Alsafi’s public health practicum with South of Seoul Public Health will focus on dental health education for school-aged children and adults in South Korea.

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