No matter how busy I am, I just have to pop by Islam Food every time I’m in Hong Kong. Established in 1950, Islam Food restaurant (清真牛肉館) is a legendary local staple in Kowloon City that’s well-loved by Hong Kong people, Muslim or not, for decades. Not many places around the world can deliver such consistency over the years, and Islam Food truly deserves all the hype around it.
Islam Food: One of Hong Kong’s Oldest Halal Restaurants
Islam Food is a family-run restaurant that started in 1950 as a humble food stall. It wasn’t until the 1980s that it moved into a proper sit-in restaurant in Kowloon City and became a legendary local food spot. It is one of the oldest halal restaurants in Hong Kong, and it remains today the best in the city.
The menu at Islam Food mainly features Northwestern Chinese cuisine with influences all around and is particularly famous for its juicy pan-fried beef patties. Founder, Mr Ma, designed the menu drawing his culinary experiences from Shanghai and his stint at the Police Canteen cooking for Pakistani police officers.
Sights Near Islam Food Restaurant
If you are looking for places to visit near Islam Food, the Kowloon Walled City Park is only a 5-minute walk away. For shopping and air-conditioning, Kai Tak’s Airside mall is about a 15-minute walk away.
Sung Wong Toi 宋皇臺 (Tuen Ma Line) is the nearest MTR station to get to Islam Food. Take exit B3 and the restaurant is located about a 3-minute walk away.
Discover More Halal Food in Hong Kong
Halal Dim Sum in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Wai Kee Halal Roast Duck
The Food at Islam Food (what we ordered)
Signature Juicy Beef Patties (HKD$50 / 2pcs)
Here’s the award-winning dish that everyone comes to Islam Food for – the famous juicy beef patties. Essentially, it’s a thick, meaty, and ultra-juicy beef patty enveloped in a Chinese paratha-like dough, which is then pan-fried till golden. It’s crispy on the outside and explosively juicy inside. There’s a reason it’s so well-loved for decades – it’s that good.
Curry Mutton (HKD$100)
The curry mutton is also one of Islam Food’s most popular dishes. As mentioned, Founder Mr Ma worked at the police canteen cooking for Muslim Pakistani officers. There, he learned to make Pakistani curries and added his own Chinese touch to them. As a result, this curry strongly resembles a homely Pakistani curry, but with a few Chinese touches. It’s incredibly flavoursome, with a generous amount of tender chunks of meat in it, and potatoes that soak up all the glorious flavours.
Mutton Xiao Long Bao (HKD$62 / 4 pcs)
Halal Xiao Long Bao is not the easiest to find, and Islam Food is one of the very few places in Hong Kong that does it. One of the times I had them, they were bursting with broth and jus, and were incredibly rich in flavour. Another time, they were a bit dry, so it may be a slight hit and miss.
Another place in Hong Kong that does halal Xiao Long Bao is the Islamic Centre Canteen.
Shredded Beef Curry Fried Rice (HKD$85)
We already know that their curry is great, and it’s even more fantastic when it’s being incorporated into a fried rice dish! The shredded beef curry fried rice is full of “wok hei” and packed with savoury, smoky flavours. It comes in a fairly large portion that’s great for sharing.
Sesame Oil Chicken (HKD$98)
The Sesame Oil Chicken is commonly featured on Islam Food’s lunch set menu as a starter. It’s served cold, featuring tender, silky chicken with a fragrant, nutty aroma.
Restaurant Review Summary
Islam Food Hong Kong is one I can’t stop raving about since day one, and is very much firmly my most favourite eatery in the city. It’s always worth the effort to go visit this legendary restaurant gem. It’s not a fancy restaurant, and you might have to share tables with strangers during peak time – but that’s all part of the experience. Without a doubt, it’s the best halal restaurant in Hong Kong and the staggering number of people visiting, both Muslims and non-Muslims, speaks volumes. If you are visiting Hong Kong, do not miss out on this place!
RATING:
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Food
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Value
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Atmosphere
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Service
Halal Status
Halal
Islam Food Restaurant Info
Tel: +852 2382 1882
Nearest station: Sung Wong Toi 宋皇臺 (B3 Exit)
