Halal Food in Korea: Part 2

What is the meaning of Halal?
Halal (Arabic:حلال, Halal); means lawful or legal) is a term designating any object or an action which is permissible to use or engage in, according to Islamic law. It is the opposite of haraam. The term is used to designate food seen as permissible according to Islamic law (Sharia, الشريعة الإسلامية).(Source: Wikipedia)

How to find Halal food in Korea?
When I walked around Seoul, I did not come across restaurants catering Halal food other than in Itaewon. However, most of them are Indian, Turkish, Pakistan and Middle East food. I have tried the turkish kebab twice. Once with Tutie and Hanim while we were in Itaewon and another by myself. Read more here.I'm hoping to find Halal Korean food restaurant in Seoul in future.

Check Muslim food guide in Korea by KNTO in here for the list of Halal restaurants in South Korea and download the pdf here. Check recommended islamic and indian cuisine restaurants in Seoul, here.

Korean foods that I have tried
You must be confused on how I could enjoy Korean food when there was no Halal label donned by the restaurants, right?

Warning: I am not endorsing that any of the food listed below is Halal (meaning with Halal label approved by Korean Islamic Federation) but I had tried my best to avoid food which was impermissible, doubtful or questionable. If you hesitate, unsure and doubtful, don't eat the food.
Bibimbap at Hongik.
Dwenjang jjigae at Kimbap Nara
Tteokpokki at Sindangdong
Tteok - Korean rice cake at Chunyang and Santisuk
Tuna Kimbap from Family Mart
Chungmu Kimbap at Myeongdong
Haemul Buchu Jjeon / buchimgae by Miju's mother
Kalguksu at Busan University
Jjin pang at Jinbu
Hobak Juk at Gwangcheon
Jjampong and yanggeng at Jaesan Village
Chung guk jang at Tongyeong

What are your options?
Middle east food
Indian food
Vegetarian food
Seafood
Permissible Korean food (if you know Hangul)
Bring food from your country

What did I say when I want to order these food?
I can't eat meat - 저는 고기를 못 먹어요 - jo nen gogi rel mommogo yo
I don't eat meat - 저는 고기를 안먹어요 - jo nen gogi rel an mogo yo
Please don't put meat - 고기를 넣지마세요 - gogi rel nohjimase yo
Please don't put ham - 햄을 넣지마세요 - hem el nohjimase yo
I don't drink alcohol -  저는 술 안 마셔요 - jo nen sus an masho yo
I can only eat vegetable and seafood - 야채와 해산물 요리를 먹을 수 있어요 - yache wa hesanmul yori rel mogelsu isso yo
I am a vegetarian - 저는 채식 주의자 예요 - jo nen cheshik juweeja ye yo

If you prefer to stay around Itaewon area where there are mushrooms of HALAL restaurants, you could check into one of these lodgings from Asiarooms.

Anyone interested to set up a Halal restaurant in Korea? Read the guide here.

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Selamat Hari Raya!

Hi everyone,

I want to wish everyone Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!! and Maaf Zahir dan Batin.

However, I will be celebrating the special day in the office due to the nature of my work.
Sobs..Sobs..T_T

Probably I will be returning to Johor after work and on Saturday night have to return to Kuala Lumpur due to Korean TOPIK exam on Sunday morning.

Life is so hectic nowadays and as you can see that I couldn't put up any post yet.
Will be doing so after the TOPIK exam and every little thing settled.

Have fun on Hari Raya and be safe!

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Las Vegas Nevada USA Tourist Guide

LAS VEGAS NEVADA is the most popular city in the United States, as well as the most populous city in the state of California and the western United States

Las Vegas USA Tourist Attractions

Las Vegas is a popular destination for Hawaiians

The major attractions in Las Vegas are the casinos and the hotels. 

The most famous hotel casinos are located on Las Vegas Boulevard on the portion of that road known as the Las Vegas Strip. These larger casinos are located outside of the city. Many of these hotels are massive, providing thousands of rooms, with their large adjoining casino areas. There are many hotel casinos in the city's downtown area as well, which was the focal point of the city's gaming industry in its early days. Several large hotels and casinos are also located somewhat off the Strip, as well as in the county around the city.

Some of the most notable casinos involved in downtown gaming are on the Fremont Street Experience which was granted variances to allow bars to be closer together, similar to the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego.

Other Attractive Travel Information

• Las Vegas Weddings
  
• List of Las Vegans
  
• List of Las Vegas Casinos
  
• List of Films set in Las Vegas
  
• List of films shot in Las Vegas

 

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Deoksu Palace @ Deoksugung

Today, I rambled through tonnes of Korea's pictures and couldn't believe myself that I forgot to publish the post for Deoksugung palace of last year's trip!! The fact that I'm getting old really hit me on this time..aigoo..hehe.

I visited Deoksugung palace during Chuseok holiday while I stayed with Chi Won (Couchsurfing) around October 2009.  However, she had to work on that day although it was still Chuseok holiday. I toured Seoul by myself and decided to visit Deoksugung palace. Chi Won's mother woke up early and packed fruits for my snack. I was so touched by her gestures. She is just like my own mother! That's why I don't feel homesick in Korea. These warm people..aishh..Suddenly, it brought tears to my eyes when I remember them.

I went to Deoksugung palace, Namdaemun, Myeongdong, Yeoido Park and Ewha University on the same day but my camera's battery went flat right after Deoksugung palace. A bit of regret though because I couldn't capture Ewha University (E-dae)'s pictures.

There's a reason why I wanted to visit Deoksugung Palace.

I am a bit shy to say it..but what the heck. My confession...tada!

Saranghae..heheh. Because of this guy, Lee Jun Ki. 

Lee Jun Ki starred in a Japan-Korea collaboration movie; Virgin Snow. There was once in the movie towards  the ending part, Lee Jun Ki and the heroin Aoi Miyazaki promised to meet at Deoksugung palace. Why they met there? I won't tell...just to keep the suspense more. Watch the movie! ^^

Deoksugung, also known as Gyeongun-gung, Deoksugung Palace, or Deoksu Palace, is a walled compound of palaces in Seoul that was inhabited by various Korean royalties until the Japanese occupation of Korea around the turn of the 20th century. Source : Wikipedia

Deoksugung palace is not so big compared to its counterparts like Gyeongbukgung or Changdeokgung palace but it's more like a relaxation place for me. I finished Tuesdays With Morrie book there while having my  fruits and enjoying the good weather with some pigeons around me. 

I took a 40 minutes bus from Yongin and arrived at City Hall

around 10 in the morning. The city was so silent!

Many people paid respects to parents and distant family by going

back to their hometown. I felt like in Malaysia where Kuala Lumpur's 

road would be empty during major public holidays.

I walked along the major road and found HSBC there. Before coming,

I was worried that HSBC would not be here in Seoul! ^^

Lotte Department Store near Euljiro subway station.

FYI, Euljiro station is very near to Myeongdong and 

Namdaemun. If you stay in Euljiro, both places are walking

distance.

Located in front of Euljiro Station but I didn't dare to try. I imagine

what if the door open while I'm doing my BIG business? Hahaha..I 

have a wild imagination.

Many kids will come here during summer because of this fountain. 

Could you read that? 서울 = Seoul. There's a stage there where

many performances are held for the public.

Seoul! Peace and me..hehe.

Deoksugung palace front gate.

Ticket counter. 1,000 won for adult. The palace is closed on Mondays.

The memorable path in Lee Jun Ki's Virgin Snow.

Kim Hyun Joong and Lee Min Ho for Samsung's mobile.

There was some restoration going on so I couldn't see some parts

of the palace like this one here. 

There's a free guide service for the visitors too but this

time I skipped the English guide. Just wanted to wander by myself.

Honestly, I couldn't see any differences between the other palaces.

The designs, colors all seem the same to me. Perhaps, only the

expert knows.

Reminded me of temples in Japan.

The ceiling's paint is fading. Sooner or later, they need to restore it. 

A small fountain in the palace.

The gazebo where I had my fruits while finishing

Tuesdays with Morrie.

The ministers or officials stone, from the 9th to the 1st at the most front.

The Haechi was smiling while a dragon fly was on its head. 

Hehehe..cute.

Another King Sejong's statue in here.

Deoksugung palace Museum of Arts. You may need to pay

separate admission fee to enter.

Natural water for drinking.

Some ahjummas were playing a traditional game.

We have this game in Malaysia too! You could see the child was

wearing hanbok. Some people would wear hanbok during Chuseok

holidays but mostly won't. 

A traditional board game; Yut (Four-Stick Game).
I told the ahjusshis that I wanted to take their pictures while they were playing.
They laughed away and played a few rounds for me. Such a sporting ahjusshis! They tried to

explain the rules to me but I couldn't understand them! They could only

speak Korean. Aishhh..I wish I had studied more Korean before coming. T_T

How to go: Subway lines 1 & 2, City Hall Station, exits 3 & 12, towards Deoksugung (Palace) 

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