Halal Food Guides

Halal-certified restaurants and Muslim-owned stalls, from nasi lemak and murtabak to halal dim sum and buffets.

This page is your guide to halal food in Singapore. It covers Malay and Indian-Muslim dishes, the best areas to find them and how MUIS halal certification works. Use it to plan meals in Kampong Glam, Geylang Serai and beyond.

Read the guide below, then open each place for its area and directions. If you need halal-certified food, always look for the MUIS certificate.

Plan it with EatStays: Malay, best nasi lemak in Singapore and Zam Zam Restaurant.

New guides are on the way. Browse Food & Drink →

Halal food in Singapore: how it works

Halal food in Singapore is easy to find. The country has a large Muslim community, and Malay and Indian-Muslim food are part of daily life. You will find it at hawker centres, food courts, restaurants and some hotel buffets. The key is knowing how to check.

MUIS halal certification

MUIS is the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore. It runs the official halal certification scheme. Certified places display a MUIS halal certificate, usually at the counter or on the stall front. Check that it shows the same business name and has not expired. You can also check the MUIS website.

Muslim-owned: some stalls are Muslim-owned but do not hold a certificate. If certification matters to you, look for the MUIS certificate.
"No pork, no lard": this sign is not halal certification. It only means those two items are not used.
One stall at a time: a certificate covers a single stall or outlet, not a whole food centre.

Malay and Indian-Muslim dishes to try

Nasi lemak: rice cooked in coconut milk, served with sambal (chilli paste), fried anchovies, peanuts, egg and often fried chicken or fish. See Nasi Lemak.
Nasi padang: rice with a choice of cooked dishes, such as beef rendang, curries and vegetables. Try Warong Nasi Pariaman or Rumah Makan Minang in Kampong Glam.
Satay: grilled skewers of chicken, beef or mutton with peanut sauce. Haron 30 Satay and Alhambra Padang Satay are in the East Coast and Bedok area.
Murtabak: thin dough stuffed with spiced minced meat, egg and onion, then fried and served with curry. Zam Zam Restaurant and Victory Restaurant serve it near Sultan Mosque.
Biryani: spiced rice with chicken or mutton. Try Bismillah Biryani in Little India or Islamic Restaurant in Kampong Glam.
Roti prata: crisp, flaky flatbread with curry for dipping. Thohirah Restaurant is in the Seletar and Jalan Kayu area.
Mee rebus: yellow noodles in a thick, sweet potato gravy.

To learn more dishes, read Malay Hawker Dishes to Know Before You Order.

Where to find halal food

Kampong Glam

This historic quarter grew up around Sultan Mosque. Its streets are full of Malay, Indian-Muslim and Middle Eastern restaurants. Hjh Maimunah serves Malay dishes here. Explore the lanes nearby at Kampong Glam & Haji Lane. To stay close by, browse hotels in Bugis & Kampong Glam.

Geylang Serai

This area in the east is a centre of Malay culture. Geylang Serai Market has a wet market downstairs and a food centre upstairs. During Ramadan, the fasting month, a large evening bazaar is usually held nearby. Hari Raya Puasa, the festival that ends Ramadan, is a lively time to visit. See Hari Raya for the festive season.

Little India and hawker centres

Tekka Centre has several stalls selling biryani, prata and other Indian-Muslim dishes. Most hawker centres also have Malay stalls. Check each stall for its own MUIS certificate.

Tips for Muslim travellers

Ask your hotel. Staff can point you to certified places nearby. Some hotel kitchens and buffets are certified too.
Look in food courts. Many mall food courts have certified stalls, and some have a halal section.
Check chains. Some international fast food chains and bakeries hold MUIS certification in Singapore. Check each outlet.
Visit a mosque. Sultan Mosque welcomes visitors outside prayer times. Dress modestly and remove your shoes before you enter.
Plan for Ramadan. Some Muslim-run stalls change their hours during the fasting month.

FAQs about halal food in Singapore

Is it easy to find halal food in Singapore?

Yes. Most hawker centres and food courts have Malay or Indian-Muslim stalls. Kampong Glam and Geylang Serai have many choices.

How do I know if a restaurant is halal-certified?

Look for the MUIS halal certificate at the counter or entrance. Check the business name and the expiry date.

Is "no pork, no lard" the same as halal?

No. It means pork and lard are not used, but it is not MUIS certification.

Are there halal hotel buffets in Singapore?

Some hotel buffets hold MUIS certification. Ask the hotel and check for the certificate before you book.