The secret of travelling during the holy month of Ramadhan is finding the perfect Muslim-friendly destination that feels like home away from home.

Imagine waking up to practice your daytime discipline in Spain or settling down for Iftar with the friendly folks in Indonesia. Wherever your spiritual compass takes you, these destinations will definitely be a unique backdrop to your Ramadhan experience.

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1. Morocco

Postcard scenery of Morocco

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Whenever we dream of Morocco, our imagination wanders through the wonderful one of a kind offerings that Marrakech has in store for us. Imagine getting lost in the souk and being overwhelmed by the sights of handmade ceramics, the scents of exotic spices and bottled fragrances and the sounds of vendors enticing you with better bargains.

[Have you read our #HHWT Explorers feature on Aida, who lives in Morocco?]

Find your way through the labyrinth of Marrakech’s famous souks

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The Islamic architecture here is second to none. Take a breather from the world’s chaos and immerse yourself in the beauty of the country’s largest Madrasa, Ben Youssef where the interiors are etched with Kufic inscriptions or learn a lesson in history at the Marrakech Museum where modern works of art and Qur’anic inscriptions co-exist together.

Explore the Marrakech Museum that houses modern and classic works of art

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#HHWT Tip: Streets are often lit up with colourful lights during Ramadhan and some intersections may give out sweets or dates to enjoy.

2. Malaysia

The modern landscape of Kuala Lumpur

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Muslim travellers with a boarding pass to Malaysia are often welcomed by a city landscape when visiting the capital of Kuala Lumpur.

Your to-do list should include the architectural immersion of the country’s iconic Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah mosque; sifting the artefacts, ceramics and religious manuscripts at Southeast Asia’s largest Islamic Arts Museum; and stepping into Putrajaya’s Moroccan Pavilion that is greatly inspired by Morocco’s traditional works of art.

The age-old artefacts at the Islamic Arts Museum

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Plus, with Malaysia being Southeast Asia’s little Mecca of finger-licking street food, Ramadhan bazaars are aplenty to offer a never-ending and affordable Iftar options from flavourful chicken biryani to grilled ayam percik and mutton kebab.

Grilled chicken for Iftar, anyone?

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3. United Arab Emirates

The stunning Burj Al-Arab in Dubai

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Beyond the promise of modernity that is led by the sky- high Burj Khalifa and Burj Al-Arab, spending Ramadhan in a place like United Arab Emirates will be a rewarding Middle Eastern experience – despite the heavy travel expenses.

Rich in religious and cultural splendours, this Muslim-friendly country is brimming with attractions to keep you busy till Iftar dawns.

Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for the intricate details of the mosaic and glass work before soaking up the local art scene at the Sharjah Arts Museum known for the collection of Arabic and European artists. The Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation also offers a quick history lessons of the early years of the Islamic empire.

[Break your fast at one of these 10 halal international food chains in Dubai!]

Explore the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque

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4. Spain

A breathtaking landscape in Spain

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If you have a European getaway in mind, Spain is one of the many places to visit and the traces of Islamic presence in the country’s long history will be an exciting chapter to your scenic holiday. A definite must-see is the historic mosques that are peppered across Spain such as The Great Mosque of Cordoba, Mosque of Cristo de la Luz and Alcazar of Jerez de la Frontera.

Marvel at the architecture of Spain’s Great Mosque of Cordoba

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The intricate detailing of Renaissance, Baroque, Islamic and Moorish architectures in the Great Mosque of Cordoba will be a historical highlight of the trip. Then, build up the Islamic significance with a detour to Calahorra Tower, a national historical monument of Islamic background; and the royal palace Alcazar of Seville that was constructured by the Moorish Muslim kings.

Plus, you can make your way to the old Arab Quarter of Albayzin to explore the charming neighbourhood and chat up with the locals. If you happen to land in Madrid, add these halal eateries into your list of Iftar options.

Chat up with a local at the Arab Quarter of Albayzin

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5. Singapore

Merlion and the modern landscape of Singapore

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Similar to its Southeast Asian neighbours, Singapore has cemented itself as a Muslim-friendly destination and one of the best countries to go during Ramadhan.

In a modern city like Singapore, travellers will have adequate access to halal local delights and plenty of Muslim-friendly sites to visit. Step away from the city’s hustle and bustle and retreat at the country’s oldest mosque, the Sultan Mosque that is beautifully detailed with minarets and shiny golden domes as an homage to its Persian, Turkish and Moorish architectures.

Seek serenity in Singapore’s oldest mosque

A walk down the Arab Street will also add a tinge of Middle Eastern flavour to your Singapore experience where you can score traditional carpets, a variety of Islamic books and silk shops for beautiful fabrics.

[Check out our halal food guides for Singapore!]

Whenever you plan for a take out for Iftar, swing by the Ramadhan bazaar for an array of delicious bites from the classic Ramly burger and chicken kebab to the instagrammable flavoured churros. Take a look at our food report here.

6. Indonesia

Bustling city of Jakarta

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When in Southeast Asia, it’s natural to see that Indonesia jumps out from our list of Muslim-friendly destinations. With the world’s largest Muslim population dotted around the archipelago, travellers will feel right at home when in Indonesia.

As vibrant as their Southeast Asian neighbours Malaysia and Singapore, the promise of various attractions to fill your day itinerary and convenient access to halal local cuisines will benefit your holiday. Imagine rising early for Sahur with a traditional breakfast of nasi kunyit Indonesia with a side of omelette, grated coconut and crunchy anchovies.

How about nasi kunyit Indonesia for Iftar?

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Then, explore the sights and sounds of Indonesia by seeking a peaceful retreat at Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque that is Southeast Asia’s largest or the 15th-century Great Mosque of Demak that is said to be the country’s oldest and packed with Islamic history. Remember to head over the Ramadhan bazaar for local Iftar appetisers in the likes of kolak candil (sweetened and stewed glutinous rice balls), bubur sumsum (rice flour and coconut milk pudding) and a variety of gorengan (deep fried snacks).

[We’ve got a 3D2N itinerary that’s perfect for a short getaway to Jakarta]

7. Turkey

Liberate yourself with a trip to Cappadocia, Turkey

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If you have space for one more destination with historical Islamic significance, it’s time to book a flight to Turkey.

The country’s Big Four is a must-visit and enough to fill the void in your travel itinerary. Immerse yourself in the architectural splendours of Ayasofya Museum, Topkapi Palace and Sultan Ahmed Mosque as well as practice your bargaining skills at the Grand Bazaar.

Take a moment to appreciate the beauty of Ayasofya

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If you want to get to know the locals better, head over to the one of the country’s largest Spice Bazaar that is best known for the abundance of Turkish delights and supply of dried and preserved fruits; exotic herbs and spices; as well as other local bites.

#HHWT Tip: During the month of Ramadhan, keep a look out for Iftar tents that gives away affordable or free food

Wherever our travel guide takes you during the holy month, arm yourself with a few savvy smartphone apps to keep your Iftar and Sahur times in check, such as Ramadhan Times (free; iOS) and Salaat Time (free; Android).

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Big, bustling, buzzing, bright — welcome to Tokyo. And in a city the size of Tokyo, it’s easy to feel a little claustrophobic at times. But you might be surprised when I say it’s actually very child-friendly. My husband and I (along with our then two-year-old toddler Noah) were lucky enough to have experienced the sights and sounds of Japan’s capital city twice in the span of three months. Our verdict? Tokyo gets our nod of approval for a perfect destination for families!

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If you’re traveling anywhere with kids, you know that it’s essential to plan ahead. We’ve done some of the homework for you (including these 11 tips on conquering the country with kids in tow) so you have less things to worry about.

Ready to see what Tokyo has to offer the little ‘uns other than Disneyland? From retro steam engines to jungle gyms, here’s our pick of places that might interest you and the kids.

[We’ve already got you covered for the perfect trip to Tokyo Disneyland, and not forgetting Disneysea!]

1. Robot Park

Tucked away in the suburbs of Roppongi is a small but well-designed gem of a park for kids. Robot Park is a playground featuring several colourful slides, robot-designed spring-riders, a tall totem pole, and Noah’s favourite: a long rolling-pin slide built into the hill. Most of the playground is covered with rubberised mats so kids can run and climb without getting seriously hurt.

Robot Park is located right behind Roppongi Hills, where there’s an arts museum and more than 200 shops and eateries under one roof.

#HHWT Tip: Grab a bite at DIYA, which is a halal Indian restaurant located in Roppongi Hills, or venture into the surrounding neighbourhood to find Hiroo Mosque and the Arabic Islamic Institute Tokyo (less than a 10-minute walk from Robot Park).

Address: 6-16-46 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-6108
Opening Hours: All day

2. Niko Niko Park

Discovering Niko Niko Park on one our trips felt like striking gold because it’s refreshing to see a spacious outdoor playground in a densely populated city like Tokyo. Although there’s an admission fee, the affordably-priced tickets can be bought from vending machines at the entrance.

Here comes Noah!

Niko Niko Park is divided into a few sections, from a general play area which has climbing towers, a trampoline, a sandpit, and even a small flying fox; to a man-made hill where more adventurous kids can slide, climb and crawl; to a rest area where parents can sit around with a hot cuppa.

Address: 1-7-5 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm daily
Entrance Fees: 300 JPY for adults and 100 JPY for children

3. The Railway Museum 

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If you have a child who’s mad about trains, why not take a trip to The Railway Museum? Located just a short train ride to the north of Tokyo, the museum has actual models of trains used in Japan through the years – even including the carriage first used by the Japanese royal family – right up to the Shinkansen bullet trains today.

Impressive railway model diorama.

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There are 36 full-size train cars and engines – most of which have interactive displays for kids to learn more about Japanese railway. In another section, you can watch miniature trains traveling on a vast cityscape. The play area is probably the most fun space for kids as this is where they can get their hands on toy trains and put together train tracks around the room.

#HHWT Tip: Equally interesting is the museum’s cafeteria which provides great views of trains in service passing by.

Address: 3-47 Onari-cho, Omiya-ku, Saitama 330-0852
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm (last admission 5.30pm). Closed every Tuesday and the New Year’s holidays.
Entrance Fees: 1000 JPY for adults, 500 JPY for elementary – high school students, and 200 JPY for preschool children 3 years old and up.
Website

4. Studio Ghibli 

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Are you a big fan of Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, or any of the other films produced by famed Japanese animation filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki? Then you cannot skip the Studio Ghibli Museum!

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It’s a treat right from the moment you step out of the train, where a ‘Cat Bus’ stands ready to take you to the museum. Once inside, you’ll get to see how the Studio Ghibli team creates the detailed worlds that the movies are based on; kids get to play in a big Cat Bus; and there’s also a special movie that you get catch with each entry ticket.

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And just before you go, make sure to visit the souvenir shop and the cafe for cakes and more!

Address: 1-1-83 Simorenjaku, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo 181-0013
Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm (closed every Tuesday, the New Year’s holidays, as well as periodic maintenance from 9 May – 15 July 2016, and 7 – 11 November 2016)
Fees: 1000 JPY (over age 19), 700 JPY (age 13 – 18), 400 JPY (age 7 – 12), 100 JPY (age 4 – 6), and free admission for children under 4. Tickets must be reserved prior to visits and for specific dates.
Website

5. Tokyo Fire Museum

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Hands up if your child has a fascination for emergency vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances. At the Tokyo Fire Museum, kids can see beautiful vintage fire trucks that were used in the 1920s and “pilot” a helicopter, amongst other things.

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The third floor is where all the magic happens. There’s a huge diorama that uses lights, sounds, moving pieces and videos to show kids how the fire department deals with an emergency fire situation. The best bit, if you were to ask me, is the fact that kids can dress up as fire fighters, sit in an actual fire truck and press buttons to set off the sirens. How cool is that?

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Admission is free (yay!) and while the info is presented mostly in Japanese, English pamphlets are available at the museum.

#HHWT Tip: Pack some lunch before visiting the museum. The Observation Room, which is on the 10^th floor, is a nice place to eat your bento and has a great view of Mt. Fuji on a clear day.

Address: 3 Chome-10 Yotsuya, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0004
Opening Hours: 9.30am – 5pm (closed every Monday, and from 28 December – 4 January)
Website 

6. Toy Museum

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Just around the corner from the Tokyo Fire Museum is another museum that’s worth checking out. Housed in a former elementary school, the three-storey Tokyo Toy Museum really is a hands-on playing field for kids. Apart from a room full of simple wooden toys that everybody is free to play with, there’s the Toy Forest, where kids can choose to play in a big dollhouse or jump into a sandbox-like area filled with more than 20,000 wooden balls.

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On the third floor is where kids can play traditional Japanese toys and analogue games. It’s also where the Toy Factory is located and workshops are held every day to teach both kids and adults how to make handmade toys.

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Babies aren’t left out here. The Wooden Baby Room is fitted with slides, crawl tunnels and toys suitable for babies up to the age of 2.

Address: 4-20 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 160-0004
Opening Hours: 10am – 4pm (last admission at 3.30pm). Closed every Thursday, the New Year’s holidays and special holidays in February and September.
Entrance Fees: 800 JPY (adults), 500 JPY (6 months old through elementary school), and 1200 JPY (child + adult pair ticket).
Website  (Japanese only)

7. Kiddy Land

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A trip to Tokyo wouldn’t be complete without stopping by Kiddy Land – one of the best toy store chains in Japan. Their flagship store in Harajuku is five floors of toys, so don’t be surprised if you end up spending a lot of time and money here.

Can we have one of everything, please??

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The toys on display at Kiddy Land constantly change and they range from your usual Hello Kitty and Disney fanfare to limited edition toys that can only be found in Japan. It’s best to visit on a weekday as the weekend crowd can be overwhelming for kids.

Keep little feet warm and snuggly in a pair of cute socks.

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#HHWT Tip: Although there are lifts, parents don’t have to push their strollers around Kiddy Land. Dedicated staff are always on hand to help keep strollers on the ground floor.

Address: 6-1-9 Jingu-mae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Fri), 10.30am – 9pm (Sat, Sun & public holidays)
Website

8. Muji at Shibuya Seibu

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Dads and moms love shopping, but what is a kid to do? Thankfully, the six-storey Muji outlet at departmental store Shibuya Seibu comes with a play area on the fifth floor and it’s filled with wooden toys. Younger kids will be happy here and parents would be able to shop for clothes, stationery and homeware in peace.

On the same floor you’ll find a nursing/baby changing room, as well as a section selling maternity wear, baby and kids apparel, accessories, and wooden toys.

Address: 21-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0042
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm daily
Website

9. Ueno Zoological Gardens

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The Ueno district is home to a number of museums and attractions, including the oldest zoo in Japan. Opened in 1882, Ueno Zoological Gardens is a sprawling 35-acre sanctuary that shelters almost 3,000 animals.

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Come face to face with some of the zoo’s popular residents (gorillas, giant pandas, Hokkaido brown bears and pygmy hippos), or let the little ‘uns pet okapis and ayes-ayes at the animal petting area.

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Don’t hurry off from the zoo; it’s situated in a beautiful park so take time to stroll through. If you’re lucky (or really good at planning), time your visit during cherry blossom season and you’ll be strolling one of the best spots in Tokyo for sakura blooms!

Address: 9-83, Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8711
Opening Hours: 9.30am – 5pm (closed every Monday, Tokyo Citizen’s Day on 1 October, and from 29 December – 1 January)
Entrance Fees: 600 JPY (age 16 – 64), 300 JPY (age 65 and above), 200 JPY (age 13 – 15), and free for children below 12 years old.
Website

[Add in one of these kid-friendly places in our 5D4N itinerary for your trip to Tokyo!]

Last but not least, here are other tips we’ve learnt from traveling around Tokyo with a toddler:

1. Diapers aren’t commonly sold at supermarkets like in Malaysia and Singapore. The easiest places to buy diapers and other essentials such as milk formula and wet wipes are at pharmacies.
2. Avoid traveling on trains during peak hour (8-9 am weekdays). Despite it being very orderly, it’s an unpleasant experience if you’ve got a stroller or baby carrier.
3. All departmental stores will have baby changing facilities that are clean and dry.
4. Many restaurants will have high chairs and kid-friendly cutlery if you ask.
5. Be prepared to carry your stroller up and down flights of stairs as the older train stations aren’t fitted with elevators.
6. Train rides are a quiet affair for the locals. In fact, passengers aren’t allowed to talk on mobile phones, and are encouraged to keep their phones on silent mode, out of consideration for others. Needless to say, your kids can’t run around on the train.
7. Don’t be dismayed if you get lost. Just keep walking and ask for directions! The locals are helpful and very polite. Those who can help, will!

We’re always looking for ways to save on our travelling adventures and of course, when we find a travel hack, we absolutely have to share it with the community! So if you’re currently planning for your next getaway/vacation, check out this infographic by Business Insider (thanks to an annual study by CheapAir.com) on how far in advance you should book your air tickets!

P.S.If you’re trying this out, let us know how it goes

Looking to go for a unique getaway full of fun, quirks and adventure? How about ditching the usual hotel accommodations and making your way over to these unique hostels that offer more than just a roof over your head?

Yes, we’re talking about unique hostels around the world that won’t break the bank and are an experience all on its own!

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1. Kadir’s Tree Houses – Olympos, Turkey.

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Kadir’s Tree Houses in Olympos, Turkey will bring your childhood dreams to a reality with their gorgeously located tree houses, right in the heart of all the flora and fauna of Olympos! Whether you decide to meet new friends from all over the world in their shared tree houses, or opt for a more private and comfortable bungalow accommodation, you are rest assured of a delicious meal, and fun filled activities from rock climbing, canyon touring and more!

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Prices: Prices start at 30 Turkish Lira for shared dorms per person and goes up to 90 Turkish Lira per person for air-conditioned bungalows! (All prices include an open buffet breakfast and dinner! )
Address: Yazir Mahallesi Olimpos Mevkii 07350 Kumluca / Antalya
Contact Number: +90 (0) 242 892 12 50
Email: info@kadirstreehouses.com
Website | Facebook

2. Jumbo Stay – Stockholm, Sweden.

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Now we know that sleeping in a plane might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but what if this plane is actually a hostel based in a used out jumbo jet model 747-212B, initially built in 1976 that doesn’t actually…take off!?

Forget turbulence and feel at ease in this unique little jumbo hostel which comes with a good choice of shared dorm rooms (with shared baths), standard rooms and even a range of suite’s that come with ensuite bathrooms! If you’re looking for something truly unique, opt for their Ensuite Cockpit or Black Box suite! And did we mention that this hostel is just a few minutes away from the Arlanda Airport, so it’s great as a quick stay before your next flight, or before your trip out to Stockholm City!?

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Price: Prices start from 450 SEK per night for the four bedded shared dorm rooms and goes all the way up to 1895 SEK per night for the Ensuite Black Box Suite’s!
Address: Jumbo Stay, Jumbovägen 4, SE-190 47 Stockholm Arlanda, Sweden
Contact Number: +46 (0)8-593 604 00
Email: booking@jumbostay.com
Website | Facebook

3. La Balade Des Gnomes – Durbuy, Belgium.

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This b&b is a fairy tale come to life! If that isn’t enough to get your attention, the sight of this hotel’s 10 extraordinarily decorated rooms will definitely delight your senses! The motto of the hotel is “all that you can imagine is real”. They play with the imagination, and the extreme attention to detail will definitely bring you to the other-worldly place!

With rooms named The Legend of Trolls, In a Moon Neighbourhood and even Macquarie Island (we’ll let your imagination flow here), you can even opt to stay in a Trojan Horse suite if that tickles your fancy! Located 50 minutes away from Liege Airport, your stay here will definitely be something out of a dream!

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Prices: Prices start at 130 Euros for 2 persons all the way up to 250 Euros for 2 persons for the Trojan Horse Suite! Make sure to book early as only ten rooms are available!
Address: Rue Remouleur 20, Heyd, 6940 Durbuy, Belgium
Contact Number: +33 472 20 86 23
Email: info@labaladedesgnomes.be
Website  (Language is in French!) | Facebook  (Language is in French too!)

4. Propeller Island City Lodge – Berlin, Germany

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Another extremely unique hotel that will definitely test your imagination, the Propeller Island City Lodge is designed by artist Lars Storschen, and is more of an art installation turned hotel that is known for its elaborately themed rooms!

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Choose from a range of 31 rooms with far fetched themes such as the Mirror Room- a diamond shaped room complete laid out with mirrors, the Upside Down room where furnitures hang from the ceiling and even a Coffin Room which may excite the Gothic fans out there! (Do take note that some rooms don’t offer ensuite baths due to it’s unique designs, so take advantage of the shared but cozy baths instead!)

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Prices: Prices start from 79 Euros per person and costs an additional 15 Euros for every additional person per night (depending on room type). The highest rate is 190 Euros per person, all not inclusive of a 5% Berlin City Tax for tourists!
Address: Albrecht-Achilles-Straße 58, 10709 Berlin, Germany
Contact Number: +49 30 8919016
Website | Facebook

5. Celica Art Hostel- Ljubljana, Slovenia

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Ever wanted to know what it feels like to get locked up behind bars, minus the whole… sentence thing? Well look no further than Celica Art Hostel, a youth hostel and an art gallery all found within the walls of a former prison and military barrack of more than a 100 years until the independence of Slovenia in 1991. Each cell is uniquely designed by a different artist as a form of artistic and freedom of expression.

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Hosting a Museum of solitary confinement, an art gallery with monthly local and international exhibitions and even an area to find your inner peace, everyone from all walks of life is warmly welcomed here, all to spread positivity in a unique manner. And if that isn’t a total opposite of what originally was a dark, depressing place, we don’t know what is!

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Price: Prices start from approximately 18 Euros to 33 Euros per person/per night (prices may vary, for updated price listings please check official website), the cheapest being the shared dormitories while the latter being a prison cell.
Address: Metelkova 8, SI – 1000 Ljubljana
Contact Number: +386 1 230 97 00
Email: info@hostelcelica.com
Website | Facebook

6. Caveland – Santorini, Greece.

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Generally speaking, Santorini is a traveller’s dream destination- from the beautiful contrasting blues and whites, the picturesque scenery and the gorgeous seaside view, what else could make a trip to this place even more special than just being there?

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Here’s where Caveland comes into the picture. An eco-friendly hostel nestled within an old 18^th century winery, Caveland is a complex of cave houses and terraces with amazing views and interiors, a small garden of various trees, daily yoga in a relaxed atmosphere and even an outdoor pool to bask in! Not to mention a breathtaking view, everyday during your entire stay there. Sigh, can we help it if we’re gushing already?

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Price: Prices start from 16 Euros onwards per person/per night and may slightly vary depending on peak/off peak seasons!
Address: Karterados, post Box 39, Karterados 847 00, Greece
Contact Number: +30 2286 022122
Website | Facebook

7. St Briavels Castle – Lydney, Gloucestershire, England.

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Experience life as a queen, king, princess, prince (you get the drift) in a real life castle that will take you back to the Medieval times (or you can pretend you’re just Harry Potter, hey we’re cool with that too ). Standing at over 800 years old, this castle is definitely one for those with magical wonders, an appetite for history, and even for thrill seekers, as it’s also known to be one of the most haunted locations in the UK (well… which castle doesn’t have a ghost or two lurking around…?)

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But hey, don’t fret! The castle is now a fully renovated youth hostel, and also an English Heritage attraction! Choose to sleep in The Prison room, the Oubliette (that comes with a dark secret within) or even the Porters Lodge, just to name a few! Also catch a Medieval history event or two and be transported back to the olden days. Did we mention you get to dine, wine and be merry in a banquet hall all while socializing with people from all around the world too?

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Price: Prices start from £19 per person/per night for a bed in a shared room and goes up to approximately £129+ for a private room (rates may differ according to dates)!
Address: St Briavels, Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15 6RG
Contact Number: +44 845 371 9042
Email: stbriavels@yha.org.uk
Website

8. Karosta Prison Hostel – Latvia

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As opposed to the more ‘positive and artsy’ prison hostel we mentioned before, Karosta Prison is where you come to for the ultimate prison life experience. Guests are expected to sign a contract with conditions  such as following prison rules, and even allowing prisoner-like treatment by the prison guards before staying in this hostel. Any rule breaking will result in punishment- so don’t say we didn’t warn you! And to make things a wee bit scarier, Karosta Prison is known to be haunted as many inmates in the past have died within its closed doors- so you might be able to make a new friend or two

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But if you’re not up to staying a night in a cold, possibly haunted iron clad cell and eating prison food behind closed doors, guests are able to come in for a museum tour, experience an interactive reality show – Behind Bars, and even play games for a fun and thrilling experience that will definitely be engraved into your memory!

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Price: 15 Euros per person per night. A 24 hours Extreme Night show inclusive of stay will cost 17 Euros per person for adults and 14 Euros for children and seniors.
Address: Liepāja, Karosta, Invalīdu iela 4
Contact Number: +371 26369470
Email: info@karostascietums.lv
Website

9. Radeka Downunder Underground Motel & Backpacker Inn – Coober Pedy, South Australia.

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They always say, ‘when in Rome, do as the Roman’s do’, so when you’re in the land down under, you stay ‘down under’, literally! At Radeka Downunder, you get to choose to stay underground in what was previously an Opal mine from the 1960’s. 65% of people in Cooper Pedy live underground to avoid the heat of Summer and the cold of Winter, so you’re guaranteed to stay ‘cool in Summer, and warm in Winter’.

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Located in the centre of town, just 200 metres away from shops and restaurants, Radeka Downunder provides two types of accommodations, Motel rooms that are either 3.5 metres underground or above ground, and also Budget Dorms and Rooms that are 6.5 metres underground!

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Price: Prices start from AUD$35 per person per night depending on the type of accommodation you choose! Family rooms may go up to AUD$270 for a max of 6 people per night!
Address: 1 Oliver Street (Corner of Hutchison St & Oliver Street), Coober Pedy, South Australia 5723
Contact Number: (+61 8) 8672 5223
Email: stay@radekadownunder.com.au
Website

10. Free Spirit Spheres – Vancouver Island, Canada.

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Forget the average wooden tree houses and opt for a truly unique spherical treehouse to experience nature at its finest! Located in the coastal rainforest Vancouver Island, you can explore the island and return back to your suspended sphere for a peaceful nights stay. Albeit small, the available three sphere accommodations are cozily designed, and may sway a little whenever a breeze comes. But don’t worry and simply enjoy the soothing gentle rocking, all while taking in the greenery that surrounds you from there on out.

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There’s also a large pond in the centre of this 5 acre private property that attracts birds and other wildlife to further enhance your commune with Mother Nature! Talk about glamping at its finest!

Credit: postergully

Price: Prices start from $175 CDN onwards per person per night
Address: 420 Horne Lake Rd, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1Z7
Contact Number: 1-250-757-9445
Email: info@freespiritspheres.com
Website | Facebook

11. Book and Bed – Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan.

Credit: Book and Bed Tokyo

Calling all book lovers! This is just the hostel for you! This Japanese bookstore themed hostel is jam packed with over 1700 books in both English and Japanese, and guests may read themselves to sleep in beds hidden behind the many available book shelves! Although pretty compact, the hostel doesn’t provide very comfortable accommodations, instead its in the experience of falling asleep while doing something you love, which in this case- reading, that is the ultimate draw.

Credit: primerec

When you finally decide to take a break from all that reading, head over to the many attractions that await you in and around Ikebukuro itself and soak in the amazing Japanese culture. You know you want to!

[We’ve got tonnes of halal food and travel guides on Japan to help you out too!]

Credit: acemagazine

Price: Prices start from ¥3,500- (without tax) / per night for Compact ‘rooms’ and ¥4,500- (without tax) / per night for Standard ‘rooms’.
Address: 1-17-7, Lumiere buillding 7th floor, Nishi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku Tokyo, Japan 171-0021
Email: info@bookandbedtokyo.com
Website | Facebook

12. La Villa Hamster – Nantes, France

Credit: travel.rambler

Tired of living life as a human being and want to take a quick break from reality? How about turning into a hamster for a day or two? Or at least, experiencing life as the furry little animal. At La Villa Hamster, you can spend your day running in a 2m-wide metal hamster wheel, feasting on hamster grain, sipping water off a water tube, and accessing your bed after a long tiring day by a step ladder and a crawl space!

Credit: hotelcontractbeds

Guests are also given hamster masks to wear during their stay- and why not, anyway, if you’re turning into a hamster for a day, might as well go full out, no?

Price: €150 euros per night!
Address: 20 Rue des Saisies, 56260 Larmor-Plage, France
Contact Number: +33 6 64 20 31 09
Website (Language in French only).

So with that, ladies and gentlemen, take your pick and pack your bags to any one of these unique accommodations around the world! Whether you’re out to be one with nature, waiting to be thrown behind bars or even off to hunt ghosts in a castle or two, break out of the norm of staying in a normal hotel and make your way to one of these extremely quirky hostels for an experience you’ll definitely never forget!

Planning to travel during Ramadan? Here’s a quick look at the fasting hours for the different countries and some handy tips, all thanks to wego! Let us know in the comments if you have any other tips to add to the list

P.S. This was done according to the fasting times in 2015. Look out for our series of articles for Ramadan coming soon!

Need more handy travel resources? Don’t forget to check out the HHWT Travel Planner App for Muslim travellers to help you plan your trip to Seoul (more destinations and features coming soon)! Download now on Google Play or Apple iTunes.

On top of travelling the world, homegrown Singaporean serial entrepreneur Mustaffa Kamal is the brains behind some of our favourite cafes in Singapore, Afterwit Mexican Taqueria and Working Title Burger Bar (the Tower of Power burger is to die for!). We’re super excited to feature him for this instalment of #HHWT Explorers!

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I am Mustaffa Kamal and when I grow up I want to be part of a community that is able to discern distractions from purpose and reality from illusions. I understand (I think) secular psychology courtesy of the National University of Singapore, worked as a lifeguard at the coast of New Jersey, USA, fulfilled my fireman calling at both Jurong Island and Central Fire Station and have been jobless for almost a year to just travel, amongst other things.

I love travelling not only to see nooks and corners on earth and meet cultures, but more particularly to remind myself of my place and purpose in this world, and hopefully establish a less obscure perspective to my existence. Therein lies the inspiration to everything I do! Today I run several small businesses in an area famous for satiating gastronomical and sartorial desires, Kampong Glam! Concurrently, I am completing a Diploma in Islamic Studies and picking up the Arabic language so I can read my favourite texts in its original language, and of course the Qur’an!

What inspired you to start Working Title, Afterwit and The Mad Sailors?

I started Shophouse The Social Hostel along Arab Street with the aim of creating and meeting a community of like-minded people, and in the past 3 years have founded Working Title Burger Bar, Afterwit Mexican Tacqueria, Of Mice and Men Mobile Coffee Experience and recently The Mad Sailors British Kitchen. These ideas were developed over the years of my youth learning and embracing different cultures. However, these establishments only materialized from having the right folks around me who provided inspiration and motivation, not just from resources and ideas. Developing relationships while doing what I enjoy transcends the motivation of earning to fund an unnecessarily ostentatious lifestyle.

What has been the most rewarding experience for you since you started your cafes?

It would definitely be the people I have met along the way, the insight they have provided and the relationships I have built.

And no, I am not referring to 60 year olds who do sometimes bestow upon me nuggets of wisdom. I have learnt the most from many 20-somethings, they are the future and they are also an inspiration to me.

If you had an unlimited travel budget for 24 hours. What would your itinerary look like?

It would definitely be to charter a craft that would take me to the mesosphere. For 24 hours I will gawk at our planet and ponder on what lies in and around the canvas of the universe, while the craft orbits around the equator.

What are 3 of your favourite destinations, and why?

To limit my favourite destinations to just 3 is cruel! I’ll cheat a bit and slide in more

Hot air balloons in Bagan, Myanmar.

In no order of merit – Morocco for the gorgeous and surreal Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert, Myanmar for its beautiful and dignified people, and Saudi Arabia for the rich history and sacrosanctity of Mecca and Madina.

What are some of the challenges you have faced while travelling and what did you learn from it?

No matter how prepared I am, the first day in a new place is always a challenge; it really throws me back from operating in a familiar environment and I quickly learn that we take many things around us for granted. I am distracted easily by unfamiliarity because I find the need to instantly comprehend everything that happens around. Spending intellectual energy like this on top of the travel fatigue gets me knackered on my first night in a new place. Thankfully the second day is always better, so I try to factor in an extra day for travel, especially when I’m off to unchartered territories. Does this count as kiasu?

What are your travel must-haves?

These days perhaps just one of the books from Imam al-Ghazali’s magnum opus Ihya Ulum Al Din, a pen, a pencil and a notebook. Besides the other obvious essentials, everything else I can make do without. Except of course the amazing HHWT application, which I will need when I head to Seoul soon!

If you could give one piece of advice to travellers, what would it be?

Versatility in the things you pack. I almost always wear an unbuttoned long sleeved shirt over a t-shirt. It alleviates the pain from the blistering sunrays, keeps me warm when it’s chilly, serves as a pillow (when folded properly) when I need a nap and as an emergency mat when it’s time to pray! At the very least, I’ve been told I look good with an extra shirt on

What is that one dish that you tried in a foreign country that changed your life?

It would have to be the North African dish tagine, which I had heard before but never tried. One fateful day I witnessed a tagine being prepared in the desert sand by Berber nomads and to my delight, breaking bread with perfect strangers and sharing tagine took my understanding of food to whole new level. It’s not just the food but everything else that surrounds it, the entire experience – from the source of food, to the preparation and salivation, to the comparison and the nods of approval.

Tell us an insider tip or two for people travelling to the Sahara Desert.

Pack proper clothes to keep you warm. I had to wrap carpets around my torso while riding a camel and more carpets around my body to keep me snug while sleeping in at night! Be open and interact with the nomads; find out how they live their lives, it’s an entirely different concept from the lives of people in built-up cities like Singapore. If you’re shy, just greet them with the salaam and witness how they unravel their warmth towards you

What’s your favourite travel photo?

This is Gulmarg in Kashmir. Now who needs the Swiss Alps?

Fill in the blanks: My hope for the world is that …

…we will collectively realize that we are but a speck of dust in the universe, that’s all we are.

Just kidding. We live in one giant home and we’re just one giant society. It’d be nice to see the human race helping each other to thrive instead this melee we live in today. This mindset begins from each individual improving his relationship with everything around him – treating people, animals, plants and even objects with respect.

Have a hilarious/interesting/memorable travel story or any tips you would like to share with us? Drop us an email at hello@havehalalwilltravel.com!

Wake up, drive car, cross Penang Bridge and eat. These 4 simple activities have been known to cure many problems. Heartaches, stress and many more psychologically-related issues (not all though) can possibly just be a thing in the past if you try this inexpensive gastronomy treatment.

While you are there, don’t forget to drop by the numerous interesting places such as Fort Cornwallis, Kapitan Keling Mosque, Batu Ferringhi and Penang Hill among others. However, let’s leave that for another day as I’m just here to talk about FOOD.

Nom nom nom

Credit: Giphy

Lo and behold, kindly find my 10 personal purposes/excuses every time I set food (pun intended) in Penang.

1. Chicken Milani Biryani at Restoran Kapitan

A sight to savour.

Credit: wakdingding

I stumbled upon this gem of a dish by chance when a friend suggested Restoran Kapitan to have dinner. She actually recommended the Tandoori (which is pretty awesome too!) and even offered to pay should any of us say it was below par. Seeing that a number of us were ordering the Tandoori, I chose to look around the menu and saw this yellowish image that caught my eye. Fast forward two dishes later, we ended up paying for her meal after countless of thanks for her introduction of the place to us.

Mouth-watering and tasty biryani combined with grilled chicken and the special Milani gravy – made of cheese, turmeric and other unknown delicious ingredients make up the dish. Hand to heart, I have personally had this for lunch, tea, dinner and supper. All on the same day.

Kapitan in Georgetown.

Credit: reenaonline

Price Range: RM10 onwards
Address: 93, Lebuh Chulia, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Contact: +60 4-264 1191
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily

2. Nasi Kandar Beratur

One of many excellent choices on the island.

Credit: penang

Honestly this writer is not a big fan of nasi kandar (whatt?! I know right). However, being a self-proclaimed food enthusiast, it is a must for me to try at least the better known nasi kandars around town.

I must say, Non-Nasi-Kandar-Fan’s best choice award (I might have just made that up) would go to Nasi Kandar Beratur. This establishment taught me to appreciate the rich and many intricate tastes that make up this dish called nasi kandar. I could taste each and every type of food put on the plate independently and would say that this would be the only place I will eat my nasi kandar from (should there be a need to choose one).

Literally ‘beratur’, which means queueing up.

Credit: photobookworldwide

Price Range: RM10 onwards
Address: 98, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Contact: +60 4 261 3984
Opening Hours: 22:00 – 09:00 (Mon – Sun). Yeap, they’re only open at night!

3. Bangkok Lane Fried Mee

Yummy fried mee.

Credit: thehalalfoodblog

You can never go wrong with a simple plate of fried mee. But make no mistake, this simple looking dish is actually more than what it looks like. With choices to add squid, eggs and even options for the vege-lovers, you will be spoiled every time you visit this humble coffee shop.

Located at the corner of Bangkok Lane and Burma Street, this special fried mee finds home in the cute Seng Lee Coffee Shop. Step foot in at any time, the shop is always full with locals and tourists alike. Especially during weekends. You know it’s good when even the locals go there for their daily breakfast.

Small cosy food haven.

Credit: tailim

Price Range: RM5 onwards
Address: 280, Jalan Burma, George Town, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Contact: +6016 485 7859
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 18:30 (Tue – Sun)

4. Butter Chicken at Sri Ananda Bahwan, Tanjung Bungah

Vibrantly enticing

Credit: toothfoodie

Pick your choice of naan or rice to accompany this rich platter of poultry goodness. Trust me, the taste gets better each time you alternate between the two. Only with a full (like, really full) stomach are you able to resist another mouthful of this dish.

Specially prepared and marinated every day, this particular butter chicken differs from the rest with its unique vibrant colour. A result of the blend of ingredients used and mixed – among others, perhaps a pinch of salt and a lot of love.

Price-wise is not that bad at all and the other dishes are priced very competitively as well. Choose a cooling mango lassi to go with your order of butter chicken for dinner, that night is guaranteed to be a good one.

Spacious garden restaurant.

Credit: kokcheehou 

Price Range: RM12 onwards
Address: 14, Jalan Tanjong Bungah, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Contact: +60 4-890 9771
Opening Hours: 07:00 – 00:00 (Daily)

5. Oxtail Soup at Sup Hameed

Soup for the soul.

Credit: jomjalan

Where do you get the best hot soup in Penang? Locals especially will point you this way. Served with their handmade bread called roti benggali, this choice of food can be consumed at any time of the day. Personally, supper late at night after a long day is the best.

With various types of soups on offer, it can become a headache (a very welcome one though!) to pick which ones to try. The soft tender meat and juicy bones of the oxtail would probably be the perfect choice.

Place to go for soups.

Credit: Farhan Nazmee

Price Range: RM6 onwards
Address: 48, Jalan Penang, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Contact: +6012 473 2786
Opening Hours: 07:00 – 03:00 (Daily)

6. Rojak Buak G. P. Soon at Gurney Drive

Best Rojak in Penang

Credit: expatgo 

Long queues, long wait and varying opening hours. These are the only negatives any rojak lover will tell you about this particular stall. However, one thing in common is that they will all say it is worth it.

What makes them different is their thick sticky paste, besides the usual nuts and sliced fruits, and other add-ons such as cuttlefish, turnips and fried crullers. Truly a delicacy that should be savoured by all. Take it as your appetizer or dinner. It’s one of the things you will never regret.

Name and number worth remembering.

Credit: reloadfood

Best street food 2011.

Credit: soonph87

Price Range: RM5 onwards
Address: Stall 39, Gurney Drive Food Court, Gurney Drive, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 21:00 – 02:00 (Daily except Thursdays)

7. Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

Refreshingly good.

Credit: pinkypiggu 

Before anything else, let me explain that there are two famous chendul stalls in this vicinity. Take your pick, both have their own staunch supporters and will swear by it. Don’t fret though, both are extremely good, but I just happen to like this one better. Walk down the road on a hot day (just an excuse) or not, queue up and slurp up every last drop of this simple yet wonderful dish.

Also, there is also more zing to it as this business, which started from a humble pushcart, has become a nationwide franchise chain. That won’t happen with just any average tasting dish.

On a hot day, I’d pick this over any fancy ice blended.

Credit: petunialee 

#HHWT Tip: If you’d rather sit and enjoy your chendul, walk down a little further to their physical shop and grab a seat (and a piping bowl of laksa) before someone else does!

Price Range: RM2 onwards
Address: 27 & 29 Lebuh Keng Kwee, 10100 Georgetown, Penang
Contact: +60 4-262 6002
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 7pm (Mon-Fri), 10am – 7:30pm (Sat-Sun)

8. Assam Laksa at Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

Bowl of succulent assam laksa.

Credit: reloadfood 

Most come here for the chendul. However, only those who have ever tried the assam laksa here will  tell you how good it actually is. Some even call it the best Assam Laksa in Penang with its perfect balance of broth thickness, chunky fish meat and wonderful paste to go along.

As many others say, good food can’t be described with words. Just ensure you get here and have a bowl. Or two, maybe three. Certainly is a must to go along with that bowl of chendul.

From roadside stall to full blown shop.

Credit: reloadfood 

Price Range: RM4.00 onwards
Address: 27 & 29 Lebuh Keng Kwee, 10100 Georgetown, Penang
Contact: +60 4-262 6002
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 7pm (Mon-Fri), 10am – 7:30pm (Sat-Sun)

9. Mee Sotong Hameed ‘Pata’ & Jalil Special Coconut Shake

Simple yet tasty.

Credit: hanneehoney 

This plate of goodness is as good as it gets. Combining just two simple everyday recipes – your mamak fried mee and squid sambal creates this unique blend of taste that keeps you wanting more. Being one of the most popular stalls in the food court, long queues are the norm, especially on Saturdays.

To wash down the yummy sambal taste, just next to the stall you can find the irresistible coconut shake. This glass of creamy and refreshing coconut drink sells like hot cakes, every single day. Be sure to try this pair as a meal whenever you find yourselves in Georgetown.

Some are known to use this image as their phone wallpaper.

Credit: familysukamakan 

Price Range: RM6 onwards (fried mee) & RM2.50 onwards (coconut shake)
Address: 6, Kota Selera Padang Kota Lama (Fort Cornwallis Food Court), Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, 10200, Georgetown, Penang
Contact: + 6013 4319384
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 8:00pm (Monday – Saturday)

10. Ice Kacang Swatow Lane at New World Park

Three bowls to cool your head.

Credit: nookberry 

Even after they relocated to a better, more modern food court, this ice kacang never lost its fans. It is often the first stop many road trippers make to Penang when they arrive in the hot afternoon sun. From as low as RM2 per bowl, it is not a mystery why customers are normally never seen with only one bowl each.

The new looking yet old tasting stall.

Credit: orangkecilorangbesar 

#HHWT Tip: Try the ais kacang topped with fruits like banana, jackfruit and mango…and an extra scoop of vanilla ice cream if you need an extra treat

Price Range: RM2 onwards
Address: New World Park (Sin Sei Kai) Food Court, Swatao Lane, Off Jalan Burmah, 10350 Penang
Contact: +604 227 8804
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm (daily)

We’re packing our bags for Penang right now!

Navigating around Seoul can be pretty tough especially if you’re visiting for the very first time, that’s why we created the HHWT Travel Planner, to help you plan your trip to Seoul easily on one app! You can download it now on Google Play for Android and the App Store for iOS!

Korea Tourism Organization has also recently released a set of super adorable and brilliantly designed area maps to point out attractions in Seoul that are located within walking distances. So if you’re preparing for your trip to Seoul, this will definitely come in handy when you’re planning your trip (on the HHWT app of course :P)! It’s also a plus as you can save on the transport cost for all that yummy halal Korean food too! And don’t forget to check out our handy 6D5N Seoul Itinerary when you’re planning your trip

Insadong and Bukchon Hanok Village Area

Myeongdong AreaNamsan/N Seoul Tower AreaNoryangjin Fish Market AreaPhoto credits to Korea Tourism Organization.

And if you aren’t travelling to Seoul…Perhaps you need more convincing on why Seoul is amazing

Being a travelling Muslim can be difficult when it comes to performing your solat and finding halal food to replenish yourselves. So in this post, I will try to introduce the prayer areas around London that I have personally been to or heard of.

Allah SWT commands us Muslims to perform prayer regardless of where we are and what we are doing at the time. Some people don’t have any difficulty in praying at open areas – basically performing their prayers anywhere that is clean to pray at. Personally, after so many incidents tarnishing the image of Islam and Muslims, I cannot muster up enough courage to pray in a public area. Thus, that lead me to try my best to find areas dedicated to Muslim prayers around London

Credit: Giphy

This list is by no means complete so feel free to suggest any new places that you know of!

[Fit these prayer spaces into our 6D5N London itinerary!]

1. Oxford Street, Regent Street, Green Park

Selfridges at Night.

Credit: sheridanandco  

Selfridges at Oxford St. has a room on the fourth floor, at the customer service/toilets area. Do note that they do not have any ablution facilities.

Getting There: Underground Station – Marble Arch, Bond Street, Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus.

2. Baker St., Madame Tussauds, Sherlock Holmes Museum

Credit: halaljobs

The London Central Mosque is about a 10 minutes walk from the Baker St. Underground Station. This is my personal favourite because I performed my first congregational prayer for Maghrib there. It’s large, comfortable, has proper ablution facilities and has separate male and female areas. They even have a bookstore selling Islamic books and halal gummies! Y’all know we Muslims need our halal gummy bears; I know I do

Blooming spring at Regent’s Park

After or before prayer, you can eat at Burgista Bros which is just across the street from the Baker St. Underground. One burger is around £7 – £10.

#HHWT Tip: The Regent Park is just across the street from the mosque. You can take an enjoyable stroll through the picturesque park from the station through the park and exit at the gate near the mosque.

Getting There: Underground Station – Baker Street

3. Big Ben, Westminster, Shrek Adventure, London Eye

Credit: aboutbritain

Head to the South Building of the St Thomas’ Hospital, across the street from the Marriott and across the river from the Big Ben. At the Ground floor, there’s a Muslim prayer room with ablution facilities but brothers and sisters share the same space.

You can start your Southbank tour from praying at St Thomas, followed by taking pictures at the Big Ben. Cross the street and you’ll arrive at the Shrek Adventure and the London Eye. If you walk further, you’ll reach the Southbank Centre Food Market which has a variety of choices for Muslims, like the Malaysian-based Sambal Shiok selling chicken satay burgers. After you have grabbed a bite, head on to Beltane & Pop for ridiculously rich hot chocolate and check out secondhand books at Southbank Book Market.

Around that there are also the National Theatre, Tate Modern, and the Shakespeare Globe.

Getting There: Underground Station – Westminster, Waterloo.

4. Tower of London, Tower Bridge

Panorama with golden light at dawn

Credit: © User: Colin / Wikimedia Commons, via Wikimedia Commons

The London Muslim Centre at Whitechapel is also known as the East London Mosque. They have separate buildings for brothers and sisters with complete ablution facilities, and shower rooms too.

The London Muslim Centre, also known as East London Mosque caters to the brothers.

There are halal eateries surrounding the Centre that doesn’t take more than five minutes to reach by foot. There shouldn’t be a problem in finding a place to eat, if you don’t mind Middle Eastern food.

Getting There: Underground Station – Whitechapel, Aldgate, Aldgate East. From the London Bridge, you can either take the 42/78 bus and stop at the Mansell St, or you can take the District Line to Aldgate East.

5. Westfield Stratford City Mall

Called the InSpiration room, it’s located at the Third Floor near the Cafe Court.

Westfield Stratford City Mall houses over 280 stores…minus one as Forever 21 just closed down.

Credit: londoncosmopolitan

#HHWT Tip: Westfield is one of the largest malls in London and houses over 280 stores. The food court has a lot of halal options. Once the centre of London Olympics 2012, it is situated right next to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Getting There: Underground Station – Stratford

6. Borough Market, London Bridge, The Shard

Credit: lastminute 

Head towards Guy’s Hospital, enter via the Main Entrance and go past the AMT cafe, through the elevators and there will a Muslim prayer room. There are separate ablution facilities but a shared prayer room.

#HHWT Tip: Try the one of Bread Ahead’s doughnuts at the Borough Market for £2.50 each. They’re not too sweet so you don’t have to worry about chopping your leg off afterwards.

Bread Ahead’s Doughnut with Salted Caramel filling and a Honeycomb to top it all off.

Getting There: Underground Station – London Bridge. 3 minutes walk to the Hospital.

7. V&A, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Royal Albert Hall

Credit: fco

I have never personally been to the prayer room, but from the information I have read, there is a multi-faith room at the Natural History Museum. Although, it is said that there are no ablution facilities provided at the museum.

#HHWT Tip: The V&A, Natural History Museum, and Science Museum has no admission charge, although they do appreciate voluntary donations.

Getting There: Underground Station –  South Kensington. If you exit at the street, there’s a simple Chinese store Chopstix that serves meals for less than £7. They’re not the typical Chinese food you’d imagine, just rice and a couple of side dishes but enough to fill your bellies.

8. Tottenham Court Road, Soho, Piccadilly Circus

There is an Islamic Centre at Berwick St, but that is specifically for the brothers.

If you walk a bit further, towards Goodge St. there is the Muslim World League Mosque. It has proper separate ablution facilities and praying areas for both sisters and brothers. For sisters, they also provide telekung there.

The Brother’s Prayer Area at the Muslim World League.

Credit: mwllo

#HHWT Tip: Around the mosque, there are Oxfam and YMCA charity shops. The YMCA shop is my favourite because they have great outfits selling for a very affordable price. I bought two of my winter coats for less than £12 there.

Getting There: Underground Station – Goodge St, Tottenham Court Road

9. Camden Town

Baitul Aman Mosque at Weedington St is around 10 minutes walk from the Camden Market and caters specifically for men (I think, because when I was there it was empty and there was only a male toilet, which I used anyway because I notice these things much later than I should).

#HHWT Tip: The Camden Market is a lovely place to be. If you go through the indoor market selling arts & crafts, you’ll arrive at the portion of the market that sells food from all over the world. The halal option I had there was the Turkish kebab but if you walk further, you’ll come across even more Muslim friendly eatery options. The KFC at Camden is also halal. Actually, if you pass by any KFC or Subway in London, some of them have halal certification such as the ones at Baker Street and Stratford Mall.

Getting There: Underground station – Kennington, Camden (a bit of a walk from both stations)

[Check out these 5 street markets in London you shouldn’t miss!] 

10. Paddington

Credit: By Geof Sheppard (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

Exit the Paddington Station towards the St. Mary’s Hospital, Praed St. The prayer area is at the Clarence Wing, Ground Floor. The place also has ablution facilities.

By now, I assume that all public hospitals would at least have one multi-faith room for public usage.

Another prayer area that is just a few minutes walk from the Paddington Station is the Brunei Hall at Norfolk Sq. They have a surau there, although I’m not sure if other then Brunei nationals are allowed to use the facilities.

11. Greenwich, The Royal Observatory, The Maritime Museum

Emirates Greenwich Peninsula, all aboard for a gondola ride!

Credit: anglotopia 

The Prayer Space here is a multi-faith prayer room situated at the Emirates Greenwich Peninsula. From the Underground Station, it’s a five-minute walk to the Emirates Greenwich Peninsula, which is a terminal for the cable car ride over the Thames River to Canning Town.

#HHWT Tip: Greenwich is one of my favourite places to be in London. Take the 129 or 188 bus from the Underground Station towards the City Centre; from there, you can reach all of Greenwich’s attractions by foot. You can start by visiting The Cutty Sark, the ship that transported tea from China to Great Britain followed by a stroll through the Greenwich Market (I highly recommend trying the Vegan Brazilian Churros with the dulce de leche and brigadeiro mix filling for £2.50) and make your way up to the National Maritime Museum, The Royal Observatory, and the Queen’s House, all in the vicinity of the vast Greenwich Park.

If you want to go on the cable car ride, it is cheaper to use your Oyster cards rather than buying separate boarding passes.

Vegan Brazillian Churros at the Greenwich Market.

Getting There: Underground Station – North Greenwich

I hope this guide helps you to tour London without having to pray in the dressing room of a random clothing store (like I did the first time I got here)!

You know what makes us really happy? Having authentic halal local food in Hong Kong! That includes dim sum, roast duck… Unfortunately, it’s impossible to head to Islamic centre canteen for every single meal so we’ve compiled a guide to halal-certified food in Hong Kong!

P.S. Fun fact – did you know our first ever article on HHWT was a halal food guide on Hong Kong?

Credit: giphy

Local Food

1. Islamic Centre Canteen

No visit to Hong Kong is complete without having a dim sum feast and the good news is you can try authentic halal dim sum! At Islamic Centre Canteen, you’ll find almost every type of dim sum available. Get ready to feast on Siu Mai (烧卖), Har Gow (虾饺), Xiao Long Pao (上海小笼包), Steamed Glutinous Rice with Chicken in Lotus Leaf (糯米珍珠鸡) and so much more!

[Check out: The 10 dishes you must not miss at Islamic Centre Canteen]

Halal Dim Sum Menu in Hong Kong – Islamic Centre Canteen

Although it’s a little confusing to walk from the MTR, we promise it’s worth it. DO NOT, we repeat, DO NOT, leave Hong Kong without trying this!

Opening Hours: Breakfast & Lunch (Halal Dim Sum): 10am – 3pm, Dinner (Halal Cantonese Dishes): 6 – 9pm
Address:  5th floor, Osman Ramju Sadick Islamic Centre, 40 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

2. Islam Food

If you have to pick only one dish at Islam Food, let it be the veal goulash. So crispy and juicy, you’ll be wanting more! But do be careful as you take your first bite, the stew is hot and it may squirt.

Other local dishes we would recommend include the chicken with sesame sauce and beef dumplings.

#HHWT tip: It’s best to visit Islam Food with your friends and family so that you can try a wider range of dishes! Also, if you dislike crowded eateries, try to avoid the 12-2pm lunch peak period.

Address:
Opening Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m
Outlet 1: G/F, No. 1 Lung Kong Rd, Kowloon City, Kowloon – Next to Chow Sang Sang Securities

Opening hours: 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m
Outlet 2: G/F, No. 33-35 Tak Ku Ling Rd, Kowloon City, Kowloon

3. Wai Kee

Wai Kee has one of the best duck rice in Hong Kong. The best part? It’s halal! Imagine brown crispy skin and tender duck meat… The flavor and aroma of the roast duck is something you’ll never forget. How we wish we could have this right now!

Halal Roast Duck in Hong Kong – Wai Kee

Credit: strippedpixel

If there’s still room in your tummy after, do try their lamb curry, it’s superb!

Wai Kee Halal Menu – Wai Kee

Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm
Address:  No 5, Cooked Food Centre, 1^st Floor, Bowrington Road Market, Wanchai, Hong Kong (Inside a food centre)

 4.  Ma’s Restaurant

Beef goulash. You’ll find this on every diner’s table in Ma’s Restaurant. As you sink your teeth into this fried-to-perfection pastry, get ready for super juicy minced beef and steaming flavorful soup to fill your mouth. Need we say more?

Halal Beef Goulash in Hong Kong – Ma’s Restaurant

Credit: noodleandegg

Halal Chinese Cuisine in Hong Kong – Ma’s Restaurant

Halal Lamb Roll in Hong Kong – Ma’s Restaurant

Credit: bestofhalal

Opening Hours: 11.30am – 11.00pm
Address:  Shop A, 21-25 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Halal Food At Places Of Interest 

Hong Kong Disneyland

Did you know Hong Kong Disneyland is the only Disney park in the world that provides halal food options? So you can forget about packing your own food when you visit the park!

1. Explorer’s Club Restaurant

Take your pick from four different cuisines at Explorer’s Club Restaurant – Indonesian, Japanese, Korean and Southeast Asian! You get to enjoy your meal at any of the 5 elaborate themed rooms and… You get to satisfy your ginseng chicken soup craving

Address: Mystic Point, Hong Kong Disneyland

2. Tahitian Terrace

Credit: Hong Kong Disneyland

Expect to have Asian cuisine as well at this casual eatery! You’ll find everything from laksa to Thai chicken curry with Rendang beef to vegetarian options on the menu.

Credit: Muslimah Traveller

Address: Adventureland, Hong Kong Disneyland

#HHWT tip: Halal-certified food is available upon request at the Disney hotel restaurants as well!

• Chef Mickey and Studio Lounge at Disney’s Hollywood Hotel
• Walt’s Cafe and room service at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel

Ocean Park

1. Ocean Park Food Cart No. 3

Choose from Asian delights such as Hainanese chicken rice, satay served with chapati, Tandoori chicken and more at this halal food cart in Ocean Park!

Credit: everydayhybridity

Credit: Ocean Park

Address: Ocean Park – Food Cart No. 3, In Front of Lagoon

Ngong Ping 360

1. Ebeneezer’s Kebab & Pizzeria

If you’re heading to Ngong Ping 360, there is only one halal food option available at the Ngong Ping 360 village – Ebeneezer’s Kebab & Pizzeria! This eatery has outlets all over Hong Kong and although the kebabs are a little on the pricey side, you can never go wrong with a kebab and a cup of refreshing Mango lassi Plus, if you’re travelling with kids, we’re sure they’ll love the pizzas!

Credit: @katee.cee

#HHWT tip: After your visit to Ngong Ping 360, stop by Citygate Outlets (located at Tung Chung MTR station) for great discount shopping. This is the largest outlet mall in Hong Kong and features more than 80 international brands at discounted prices all year round.

Opening hours: 10am – 6pm (Monday – Friday), 9am – 6.30pm (Weekends and public holidays)
Address: Shop 9A, G/F, Ngong Ping Themed Village, Ngong Ping, Lantau Island

Other outlets and opening hours:

• G/F, 6 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong Island
• 10 Ebeneezer’s Kebab & Pizzeria G/F, 24 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong Island
• 11 Ebeneezer’s Kebab & Pizzeria Shop 4, G/F, Wanchai Central Building, 89 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island
• 12 Ebeneezer’s Kebab & Pizzeria G/F, 52 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island
• 13 Ebeneezer’s Kebab & Pizzeria Shop 1C, G/F, Astoria Building, 24-38 Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
• 14 Ebeneezer’s Kebab & Pizzeria Shop 2, 3 & 5, G/F, Multifield Plaza, 3-7A Prat Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
• 15 Ebeneezer’s Kebab & Pizzeria Shop 11 & 12, G/F, Hong Kong Gold Coast, 1 Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories
• 17 Ebeneezer’s Kebab & Pizzeria Shop 102A, 1/F Block A, Discovery Bay Plaza, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island
• 18 Ebeneezer’s Kebab & Pizzeria Hong Kong University, Room 1A13A & 1A13B, Fong Shu Chuen Amenities Centre, 1/F Swire Building, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Island
• 19 Ebeneezer’s Kebab & Pizzeria Unit 13, G/F, Hall 10, Asia World Expo, Hong Kong International Airport, Lantau Island (open on exhibition days only)

Hong Kong International Airport

1. Popeyes Chickens and Biscuits

Feeling peckish after you’ve checked in? Have a quick bite at Popeyes for good old comfort food – fried chicken!

Opening hours: 6.30am – 11.30pm
Address: Terminal 1 Departures East Hall, Level 7

Hotels With Halal Food Options

If you would like to stay at a hotel with halal food options, there are two which recently received halal certification.

1. Harbour Grand Hong Kong – Harbour Grand Cafe

Credit: Harbour Grand Hong Kong

Set Menu A (HK$148): Beetroot Salad, Tagliatele Pasta with Asparagus and Pesto Sauce
Set Menu B (HK$208): Vegetable Soup, Tandoori Salmon Fillet with Garden Salad
Set Menu C (HK$188): Crab Meat and Avocado Salad, Roasted Spring Chicken with Seasonal Vegetables and Thyme Jus

Address: 23 Oil Street, North Point, Hong Kong
Make a hotel reservation here!

2. Harbour Grand Kowloon

Note: Halal-certified food is available upon request. Please check with the restaurant which dishes are halal-certified.

Address: 20 Tak Fung Street, Whampoa Garden, Hunghom, Kowloon
Make a hotel reservation here!

Other Halal Eateries Around Hong Kong

There are numerous halal-certified Indian and Middle Eastern eateries around Hong Kong (check out the full list here),  but we’ve listed a few that has been receiving great reviews so you won’t go wrong with these places

1. Aladin Mess

Nothing like Indian curry and naan to end off a tiring day in Hong Kong. The eatery serves up one of the best Indian food in Hong Kong!

Credit: desdemondia

Opening hours: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Address: 2/F, Fu Hing House, 60 Russell Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island

2. Warung Malang

Craving for Indonesia cuisine while in Hong Kong? Warung Malang in Causeway Bay serves up one of the best authentic Indonesian food in Hong Kong!

Credit: @capungcentil

Opening hours: 10am – 11pm
Address: Flat B-2, 2/F, 9-11 Pennington Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island

3. The Great Indian Kebab Factory

If you’re looking for  contemporary Indian cuisine, this is the place! This restaurant is well-known for its huge variety of kebabs as well as its 11-course set menu. A little on the expensive side but worth it!

Credit: @the_great_indian_kebab_factory

Note: Alcohol is served in this eatery.

Opening hours: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Address: Outlet 1 – Shop 8, Level 2, Miramar Shopping Centre, 132 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Outlet 2 – 19/F, Wellington Place – M88, 2-8 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong Island

If you know of any other eateries that should be on our list, do share with us in a comment below!

So you’re planning for an adventure. You have Europe in mind, but your bank account doesn’t agree with you. Plus, as a novice traveller, you want an adventure to a place that does not require any instant noodle cooking back in the hotel room. Most important of all, you want to have a good time and probably learn something new.

Well, surprise, surprise, what you are describing is Turkey, and where else in Turkey does the magic happen other than Istanbul!

Credit: giphy

Where to Stay?

Ok, first thing’s first. You need a place to stay. There are 2 famous areas in Istanbul that come to mind when you talk about traveling in Istanbul, namely Sultanahmet and Beyoğlu. These two areas are almost neighbouring each other, separated by the Golden Horn, a river valley that connects with the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. Depending on what type of person you are, you might have a tendency to choose either one.

Sultanahmet

Golden Horn and Sultan Ahmet

Credit: By User:Simm (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons

Sultanahmet is the more historical area of the two and the main advantages of staying in a hotel in Sultanahmet is that it is closest to most of the famous tourist attractions such as the Aya Sofia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, etc.

However, the downside of this is at night, the area sort of goes to sleep along with the tourists. If you are not a night owl, or bringing along your family during your travel, this is the neighbourhood for you.

Beyoğlu

Istiklal Avenue in Beyoğlu

Credit: istanbultourstudio

Beyoğlu is the modern part of Istanbul famous for its restaurants and cafes as well as its nightlife. It’s also home to Dolmabahçe Palace, the Galata area with its famous tower, Istiklal Caddesi, etc. If the nightlife, shopping and food are your thing, this is the area for you.

The area is basically alive 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but if you’re worried about the noise, the hotels are located away from all the hustle and bustle of the nightlife, albeit within walking distance.

If you ask me which area would I choose, I’ll answer both. It is after all, an adventure. Try out both places. If you have a week in Istanbul, you can maybe spend the first 3 days in Sultanahmet before relocating to Beyoğlu.

10 Must Visit Attractions in Istanbul

1. Aya Sofia

Credit: By Arild Vågen (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Built by emperor Justinian as the greatest church of the Byzantine Empire, the Aya Sofia or formally known as the Hagia Sofia was converted into a mosque after the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Empire. It is now a museum and a one of the greatest landmarks of Istanbul.

Credit: Jorge Láscar

Location: Aya Sofya Medanı, Sultanahmet
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 7:00pm (Summer schedule from 15 April – 25 October), 9:00am – 5:00pm (Winter schedule from 25 October – 15 April)
Entrance Fees: 40TL
Website

2. Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)

Sultan Ahmet Mosque also known as the Blue Mosque

Credit: bernadetteschaeffler

The Blue Mosque was built by Sultan Ahmet 1^st from 1609 to 1616. The nickname “Blue Mosque” comes from the interior decoration of the mosque that consist of tens of thousands of blue Iznik tiles. Muslims are welcome to pray in the mosque, but for non-muslims, visiting is only allowed outside prayer times.

Location: At meydanı, Sultanahmet
Opening Hours: 8:30am – 11:30am, 1:00pm –  2.30pm,  3:30pm – 4:45pm (Daily). The Sultan Ahmet Camii is still a working mosque, and is therefore closed to tourists during prayer time. In general, the opening hours of the Blue Mosque Turkey are from 8:30am  until one hour before dusk each day, excluding 90 minutes each prayer time, and two hours during Friday noon prayers.
Website

3. Topkapı Palace (Topkapı Sarayı)

Imperial Hall with the throne of the sultan, Topkapı Place

Credit: By Gryffindor (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Topkapı Palace was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in the 15^th century. Located beside the Bosphorus, this palace is where the Ottoman Sultans ruled over their empire until the 19^th century. It is a stunning display of Islamic architecture.

Location: Babıhümayun Caddesi, Gülhane Park
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 4:45pm (Winter season, between October 30th – April 15th) , 9:00am – 6:45pm (Summer season, between April 15th – October 30th). Closed on Tuesdays and on certain religious holidays.
Entrance Fees: 40TL
Website

4.  Basilica Cistern

Credit: theruinsofturkey

The Basilica Cistern is a huge underground hall supported by 336 columns in 12 rows. It was once used to store the imperial water supply. It was built by Emperor Constantine but only finished during Emperor Justinian in the 6^th century.

Location: Yerebatan Caddesi, Sultanahmet
Opening Hours: Open daily from 9:00am – 5:30pm (Winter) and 9:00am – 6:30pm (Summer). It opens at 1:00pm on first days of religious holidays and on January 1.
Entrance Fees: 20 TL
Website

5. Galata Tower

Galata Tower in Beyoğlu district.

Credit: Cristian Viarisio

Get a birds’ eye view of the city of Istanbul from the top of the Galata Tower, located in Beyoğlu. Built in 1348, the tower was part of a sub city belonging to the Genoese that stretched all the way to the Bosphorus .

Location: Beyoğlu
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 8:00pm
Entrance Fees: 19TL

6. Istanbul Archaeology Museums

The Alexander Sarcophagus, found at the Necropolis of Sidon – Istanbul Archaeology Museums

Credit: Gürkan Sengün [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

This huge museum complex that’s equivalent to the British Museum brings together historical artefacts from Turkey and throughout the middle east while sweeping through the vast history of the region.

There are 3 main sections, Museum of the Ancient Orient; the main Archaeology Museum; and the Tiled Pavilion of Mehmet the Conqueror. Expect to spend a good part of a day in this area.

Location: Osman Hamdi Bey Yokuşu, Gulhane Park
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 7:00pm daily
Entrance Fees: 20TL
Website

7. Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı)

Shop till you drop at the Grand Bazaar

Credit: lonelyplanet 

For the shopping “kaki’s” the Grand Bazaar offers a wide range of Turkish local products. It is basically the world’s first shopping Mall and takes up a whole city quarter.

Location: Beyazıt Meydanı, Beyazıt
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 9:00am – 7:00pm. Closed Sundays and bank holidays.
Website

8. Süleymaniye Mosque

Chandelier inside Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul

Credit: istanbulclues

Not to be mistaken as the Sultan Ahmet Mosque or the Blue Mosque, the Süleymaniye Mosque sits on the hill above Sultanahmet district. In its garden area lays an interesting Ottoman cemetery, home to the tombs of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent and his wife Haseki Hürrem Sultan, also known in the west as Roxelana.

Location: Süleymaniye Caddesi, Beyazıt
Opening Hours: Open daily from 9:00am – 5:30pm, closed during prayer times for visitors
Website

9. Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts

Main building of the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts

Credit: islamtoday

A visit to Turkey is incomplete without learning about its arts and culture. Housed in the palace of İbrahim Paşa, who was Grand Vizier for Sultan Süleyman, it is a must see when you are in Istanbul. Turkish carpet collections, exquisite ceramics, calligraphy and wood carvings are on display here for your viewing pleasure.

Location: At Meydanı Caddesi, Sultanahmet
Entrance Fees: Adults – 20TL, Child under 12 – free
Website

10. Dolmabahçe Palace

Credit: askideas

Built by Sultan Abdul Mecid I in 1854, the Dolmabahçe Palace replaced the Topkapı Palace as the main residence of the Sultan. Unlike the Topkapı Palace, it clearly portrays European influence in its decorations and architechture.

Location: Dolmabahçe Caddesi, Beşiktaş
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 4:00pm, closed on Mondays and Thursdays
Entrance Fees: 40TL
Website

10 Quintessentially Turkish Cuisines You Must Try

1. Turkish Breakfast

Take your time enjoying your Turkish breakfast!

Credit: kslee

For the complete Turkish experience, spend some time having a Turkish breakfast in the morning. It usually consists of tea, bread, white cheese, olives, tomatoes, cucumber, butter, honey, jam and an omelette or boiled egg.

The most common and recommended place to have a Turkish breakfast is along the Bosphorus coastline areas such as Bebek, Rumelihisarı where there is a huge choice of establishments.

2. Simit

Secak simit! Secak simit!

Credit: gul-imekan

Simit is Turkey’s answer to the Bagel. It can be practically bought everywhere from early in the morning where you can hear street vendors strangely call out “Secak Simit! Secak simit!” (hot Simit! Hot Simit!), yet, the simits are rarely even warm. But that’s not a bad thing since they are usually eaten at room temperature.

3. Pide

Credit: sirkecirestaurants

This oval shaped bread comes in different styles and toppings with Kaşarlı Pide (melted cheese) and Sucuklu Pide (melted cheese and spicy sausage) among the most famous of them. Plain pide is also used in other dishes such as kebabs.

4. Iskender Kebap

Iskender Kebap, best in the world

Credit: volkansadventures

There are a lot of types of döner kebap, but my favourite one is Iskender Kebap. Thinly sliced döner meat is server with pieces of pide, a kind of pita bread. The pide pieces are dressed with butter and tomato sauce with yoghurt served at the side. Dip the döner slices and pide together with the tomato sauce and yoghurt and you’ve got a ticket to food heaven.

5. Lahmacun

Lahmacun, full tummy on a budget

Credit: arbuz

This is my favourite dish, on a budget due to the fact that they are relatively cheap and also filling. Also known as the Turkish style pizza, Lahmacun consists of a thin piece of oval pide, topped with ground meat, onions, pepper paste, sometimes tomato, pepper, parsley, and spices. It’s usually served with a salad and lemon on the side.

6. Börek

Börek, layer upon layer of flaky pastry and filling

Credit: carte-du-jour

Börek is made up of several thin layers of flaky pastry and filling. There are different types of fillings to choose from such as spinach, cheese and minced beef. Locals have this particular dish for breakfast or for a quick lunch. There are also variants of this dish such as Çibörek, kalem böreği, Su böreği and a few more that you must also try.

7. Balık ekmek

Balık ekmek – bread, fish and vegetables

Credit: ekplate

Literally translated as fish bread, it is basically grilled or fried fish stuffed in a large piece of bread. A popular spot to find this fast food is at Eminönü, on the shore next to Galata Bridge. Suitable for its close proximity with the sea, where fresh fish is caught everyday.

8. Mantı

Mantı with tomato sauce and yogurt

Credit: Nurettin Mert AYDIN

Often called Turkish Ravioli, Mantı is a hot dumpling dish served with cold yogurt and garlic. The dough is made of flour, water and salt, but sometimes eggs are added to increase the flavour. The filling usually contains ground beef or lamb, onion, salt and pepper. It is served with yogurt, garlic and tomato sauce cooked with butter, while topped with spices. Imagine digging into one of these for lunch.

Famous places to enjoy Mantı are Casita Mantı Nişantaşı in Şişli, Fıccın in Beyoğlu, Emek Mantı in Yeniköy, Bodrum Mantı in Arnavutköy, and Aşkana in Ulus.

9. Sütlaç

Sütlaç, Turkish rice pudding

Credit: retireturkey

Also described as the Turkish baked rice pudding, Sütlaç has become my number 1 dessert since I set foot in Turkey. The main ingredients are rice, milk, vanilla and egg. Although baked, the dessert itself is served cold, suitable for a hot summer afternoon. Sütlaç is easily available in most restaurants in their list of desserts.

10. Ayran

Fresh Ayran in copper cups

Credit: bnhsu

Ayran is a yogurt drink made by mixing yogurt, water and salt together. The drink is served cold and fresh in restaurants or you can also get it in supermarkets. But for those unacquainted with Turkish cuisine, Ayran is an acquired taste and you might or might not like it at the first taste.

Note: I think it’s important to know that while meat sold and used in restaurants are halal and most of the restaurants do not serve alcohol, specialty restaurants particularly the meyhane restaurants serve alcohol along with Mezze and traditional dishes. Meyhane restaurants are places where the youth hang out and catch up with friends. Kind of like the Mamak restaurants in Malaysia. So, use your own discretion when visiting these restaurants or avoid them if you are unsure. Once you have that sorted out, you are free to sink your teeth in!

A Last Word

Istanbul and Turkey as a whole holds a wealth of Islamic history through the Ottoman Empire. A visit here will make one proud of the what Muslims had achieved in the past. Istanbul surely is an adventure well worth the journey!

Ahhh… New Zealand. Land of the Long White Cloud, Flight of the Conchords and the finest Hobbits. With sheep outnumbering us humans 7:1, we understand how intimidating that could be to a wayward traveler.

Credit: mariamichelle

Not to worry, we’ve got you covered. Queenstown has something for everyone; from a cruise on the lake for the newly-weds, the thrill-seekers, and the family members. It’s as easy as 1-2-3!

God speed, my Fellowship!

Credit: giphy 

[Just in case you need a few reasons to drop everything and head to New Zealand, here are 10!]

Take a road trip to Queenstown!

We highly recommend that you to do a road trip to Queenstown instead of taking a direct flight. The scenery is utterly inspiring. Head west from Christchurch to Queenstown and allocate a 7-8 hour trip to soak it all in. Here’s what you need to see and do along the way:

1. Aoraki Mount Cook – The tallest mountain in New Zealand

Standing at a majestic height of 3,724 meters, stop over at Mount Cook National Park for some photo-op, a bit of trail walking or just enjoy the view with a warm cup of coffee. Go ahead if you would like to try your luck in fishing, boating or even star gazing. The region is excellent for some sky gazing due to its almost non-existent light pollution.

Nothing much to see here, move along

Credit: David Briody [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

2. Otira Viaduct, Arthur’s Pass

The second highest pass connecting the east coast and west coast of New Zealand, the Otira viaduct is 934 metres above sea level. Pretty impressive!

Thou shall pass!

Credit: By Ville Miettinen from Helsinki, Finland (Arthur’s Pass) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

3. Lake Tekapo

One of the popular pit stops along the route, the painted turquoise colour is not a result of Photoshop skills, but the reaction that occurs when the water from the alps flows down and erodes the rocks and minerals that soon accumulates in the lake. Take a moment to sujud and reflect on the beauty of God’s creation here, it is a sight to remember.

Unbelievable isn’t it? Yep, we were thinking of the same thing.

Credit: holgi

#HHWT Tip: There is a salmon farm nearby, if you’re looking to stock up your food rations and planning a cook out. Rest assured the salmon is fresh!

4. Get Lost in Puzzling World, Wanaka

Puzzling World is a fun-filled place if you’re the kind who likes to torture, er, I mean tease your brains on some puzzles, optical illusions and even a maze!

Credit: puzzlingworld

You can easily spend 2-3 hours here, depending on how fast you are at the Maze Garden

Fun Trivia: It’s the exact principle used in Lord of The Rings to make the Hobbits look shorter in all the movie frames!

Credit: puzzlingworld 

Address: 188 Wanaka-Luggate Hwy, Wanaka 9382, New Zealand
Opening Hours: 8am–5.30pm daily
Entrance Fees: NZD 12 – 20 per pax

Test your limits with extreme sports and other awesome things to do

Queenstown is widely known as an activity town. Test your courage AND skills in things like…

1. Sky-Diving

Also known as jumping-out-of-a-plane-and-hope-the-parachute-works-sport

Credit: Rob Chandler 

2. Bungee Jumping at Kawarau Bridge

Writer bungeed off the Kawarau bridge and reconciled possibility of death with hope that her swimming lessons finally pay off. Writer survived to write this article, Ahamdulillah.

Credit: flyallover

Ask to get dunked in the river!

3. Jet boating through narrow rivers

85kph boat shooting through the Kawarau river, barely missing the rocky ridges

Credit: shotover

4. Gold Mining in Arrowtown

In the 19^th century, Arrowtown is famous for its gold-mining activities. Remnants of the old mining village is located in Macetown. Head to the rivers and try your luck in scavenging for small nuggets of gold. It is a quirky way to spend some time with friends and family.

Sleepy town

Credit: heneedsfood

The river running through Arrowtown is said to have some remnants of gold left. Most heartbreaking sentence ever written.

Credit: tramper.nz

5. Take the cable car and zoom your way down overlooking Queenstown

Not only is the cable car the steepest cable car ride on the Southern Hemisphere, it also provides another avenue for a panoramic view of Queenstown, stargazing activities, mountain biking, bungee jumping as well as luge riding 800 meters down Bob’s Peak.

The view of Queenstown from Bob’s Peak. Breathtaking!

Credit: By Lawrence Murray from Perth, Australia (Queenstown from Bob’s Peak) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The Luge is fun for everyone as there is a mechanism to control the speed.

Credit: alh1

More details can be found at their website.

6. Stare at the Kiwis

It’s clearly not enough to see the Kiwi bird from a keychain, drop by at the Kiwi Birdlife Park. A sanctuary for many species of birds and reptiles, it could be the lull you need from an itinerary packed with extreme activities back to back! All proceeds go to general maintenance of the sanctuary and breeding efforts!

Morepork. A non-halal bird found at the Kiwi Birdlife Park, jk!

Credit: nzbirdsonline 

Address: Brecon St, Boydtown 9300, New Zealand (entrance is beside the cable car entrance)
Opening Hours: 9AM–6PM

What’s there to eat in Queenstown?

New Zealand in general is one of the biggest exporters of halal lamb meat in the world. Although it is said that all of the lamb products are halal in this country, it is best for us to enquire on the status from the food establishments.

1. Nando’s Restaurant

This Afro-Portuguese chain restaurant serving flame-grilled chicken in spicy chilli sauce is not unfamiliar to most of us. All of Nando’s outlets in NZ are certified halal.

Credit: writeupcafe

Address: 32 Cathcart Rd, Queenstown, 5320, South Africa
Opening Hours: 10am–10pm

2. Tandoori Palace

Credit: fidaleeweds

Try the butter chicken and naan here. Generally, the food and service at this place gets great reviews, even among the picky eaters.

Note: Tandoori Palace serves alcohol, but all meats are certified halal.

Address: 62 Shotover St, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Opening Hours: 5pm–10pm

3. Patagonia Chocolates

Arguably, the national pastime for the Kiwis are eating desserts (especially ice-creams!) Their products are vegetarian friendly, making it Muslim friendly too! Walk down the pier with some sweet treats. You can also bring back some for souvenirs. The banana split ice-cream has won numerous awards to date.

Credit: blogmio
Address: Lakefront, 50 Beach Street, Queenstown, 9300
Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm

To pack things up

Queenstown is a paradox of two worlds. It can be buzzing with excitement from checking of the extreme sports on your bucket list, while at the same time, it is a sanctuary where you can put everything aside and have a quiet time to reflect and ponder. Give it a go and arrive with an open heart, but be warned that it could be stolen away by Queenstown’s embracing arms.

Looking for halal food in Osaka like Takoyaki or Okonomiyaki? If these are your favourite street snacks from your local night markets, then you should know that they originate from Osaka! Branded as the ‘nation’s kitchen’ due to its key role in the rice trade during the Edo period, it joins Tokyo and Kyoto as one of the top three culinary centres of Japan!  So, we are truly stoked to announce that there is now an exciting variety of Muslim-friendly Japanese restaurants here. Let’s check them out and join us on a halal gastronomical adventure in Osaka!

Credit: giphy

#HHWT Tip: It’s only a 45-minute train ride to travel from Osaka to Kyoto so we highly recommend a trip there! Plus, we have a handy food guide to halal Japanese food in Kyoto and lots of travel guides for you!

1. Sojibo

Embark on your halal food hunt right away as soon as you step off the plane at Kansai International Airport (KIX). Home to not one, not two, but THREE halal-certified restaurants serving authentic Japanese food, it also houses 15 other restaurants with pork-free and alcohol free menus (though not strictly halal)! We’ll start off with the first halal-certified restaurant here – Sojibo!

Sojibo by Gourmet Kineya is halal-accredited by the Malaysian Halal Consultancy & Training Agency (MHCT).  It dishes up a variety of quality hand-made thin buckwheat noodles (soba) that can be ordered either cold on a bamboo tray with a dipping sauce, or in a hot broth.

You can take your pick of accompaniments to go along with your soba, such as hot grated karami daikon, grated yam, wild vegetables, egg, shrimp tempura or duck and leek, amongst others. For the big-eaters, we recommend the set that comes with an additional bowl of rice topped with either shrimp tempura or chicken cutlet!

What’s fun here is that you get to grind your own wasabi stick, for that extra bit of freshness!

A little bit of DIY for some fresh wasabi

Credit: learnhowtomakesushi 

#HHWT tip: If you can’t finish the wasabi stick (we don’t think we can either!), the restaurant provides small plastic bags for you to bring it back. Great souvenir idea!

Soba noodles are known for their health benefits. Naturally low in calories and fat, they also contain high polyphenol levels to prevent heart disease, rutin which fights against free radicals and fibre to boost the digestive system! Sooooo….pile up on the soba, we say!

For Reservations: 072-456-6519
Opening Hours: Daily 7am-10pm
Price: 320 to 1580 yen
Address: Kansai International Airport Terminal Building 3F, 1-Naka, Senshu-kuko, Tajiri-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka
Directions:

2. Yuigetuan Sojibou

If you plan to head down to LaLaport EXPOCITY in Osaka for some serious shopping, make a pit-stop at the halal-certified Yuigetuan Sojibou by Gourmet Kineya! It offers a similar menu as its sister restaurant, Sojibo at KIX, and has halal accreditation from the MHTC!

Storefront of Yuigetuan Sojibou

Credit: halalmedia.jp

Yuigetuan Sojibou offers similar dishes as its counterpart at KIX.

Credit: halalmedia.jp

For Reservations: 06-4864-8315
Opening Hours: Daily 11am-10pm
Price: 700 to 1180 yen
Address: EXPO KITCHEN 2F, Senri Bampakukoen, Suita-shi, Osaka 565-0826
Directions:

3. Oragasoba

Now heading back to KIX, we’d like to acquaint you to yet another soba restaurant that is halal-certified by the MHCT.  Oragasoba is the second soba restaurant at the airport by Gourmet Kineya so you know the folks behind the company has a strong commitment towards halal Japanese dining!  We just think it’s a swell idea as we can easily hop by there if it gets too crowded at the other halal soba restaurant at T1!

Oragasoba storefront

Credit: tsunagujapan 

English menu – you can choose the cold or hot option for your soba.

Credit: halalmedia.jp

Hot soba with mixed tempura…yums!

Credit: halalmedia.jp

The restaurant serves halal curry dishes too – yay!

Note: Alcoholic drinks are sold here so we suggest dine at your own discretion.

For Reservations: 072-456-6046
Opening Hours: Daily 11am-10pm (last order 9.30pm)
Price: 194 to 960 yen
Address: Aeroplaza 3F, Kansai International Airport, Senshukuko Kita1, Izumisano-shi, Osaka 549-0001
Directions:

4. The U-Don

Up next on our halal oodles-of-noodles feast at KIX is The U-Don!  The U-Don features Sanuki udon, a form of thick wheat flour noodle from the Shikoku region easily identified by its square shape and flat edges.

The U-Don – halal-certified by the MHCT.

Credit: halalmedia.jp 

It’s a self-service concept here at The U-Don.  First, pick up a tray and choose the type of udon dish you’d like.  The udon dishes range from hot options such as warm udon in shoyu broth, to the more summer-apt dish, zaru (chilled) udon.  Next, move on to the food-warmer section where you can have your choice of add-ons such as fishballs, boiled turnip and an assortment of tempura.

The cafeteria-style food counter

Credit: kamkammakan

Feeling ravenous?  Load up your tray with more food from the next selection consisting of other nibbles such as inari (rice-stuffed fried tofu) and nigiri (rice balls). Lastly, bring your food-laden tray to the cashier who will total up your bill.  Easy-peasy! Oh by the way, you also get to enjoy free-flow of hot or cold matcha green tea!

Udon in hot soup

Credit: halalmedia.jp

For Reservations: +81-72-456-6515
Opening Hours: Daily 7am-10pm (last order 9.30pm)
Price: 450 to 760 yen
Address: Inside the Kuukou Minami Noren, Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 2F, 1 Senshukukoukita, Izumisano-shi, Osaka-fu 549-0001
Directions:

5. Ganko Osaka Houzenji

Keen to treat yourself to some washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine)? Look no further than the Ganko Osaka Houzenji!  Certified halal by the Kyoto Halal Council, Ganko Osaka Houzenji is part of a chain of restaurants that serves traditional Kyoto dishes.  What’s more is that it’s conveniently located in the vibrant Namba area and boasts of 380 seats in both large and small private dining rooms!

Ganko Osaka Houzenji

Credit: halalmedia.jp

Diners here can enjoy a variety of dining experiences such as a sushi bar or washoku- and kaiseki-dining in a cosy traditional Japanese setting, complete with female Japanese servers dressed in kimonos!

The sushi bar

Credit: Marhamah Sapandi

The halal menu at Ganku Osaka Houzenji consists of three halal bento sets ranging from 3564 yen to 8316 yen. Each set comes with its own hot-pot of either tofu, sea bream or beef.

Halal bento set

Credit: Marhamah Sapandi

The mouth-watering gyu-nabe (beef hot-pot) that comes with the most expensive bento set

Credit: Marhamah Sapandi

Even though alcohol and non-halal food are served here, the restaurant takes immense care in upholding its halal status.  It has a dedicated halal kitchen and employs cooking tools exclusively for its halal menu. It refrigerates halal food separately from the non-halal food and has trucks to transport only halal food!  To further reassure its Muslim diners, the restaurant also provides disposable yet sturdy tableware and glasses to its customers.

Note: You need to make reservations from the halal menu at least three days in advance!

For Reservations: +81-(0)6-6212-6550
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 11.30am-2.30pm; 5pm-11pm. Sat, Sun and Public Hols 11.30am – 11pm
Price: 3564 to 8316 yen
Address: 1-2-2, Namba, Tyu-ouku Osaka-shi, Osaka
Directions:

6. Minokichi Shinsaibashi

Ever marvelled at the meticulousness and artistry that goes into kaiseki cuisine? Then you should really try out halal kaiseki dining at Minokichi Shinsaibashi!

Minokichi Shinsaibashi

Credit: tabelog 

Minokichi Shinsaibashi is part of the Minokichi chain of restaurants which specialises in kyo-kaiseki, or Kyoto traditional cuisine, in a multi-course format that fascinates both the palate and the eyes.

Founded centuries ago in 1716, Minokichi started out as a vegetarian restaurant which served no pork.  Today, the restaurant still does not use pork for its dishes and also offers a Muslim-friendly menu approved by the Kyoto Council for Sharia and Halal Affairs.  In addition, the food and condiments from the menu is also free from any alcohol or mirin (sweet sake).

The restaurant also serves a more pocket-friendly halal lunch set which is no less delicious and aesthetically pleasing.

Muslim-friendly lunch set (2700 yen inclusive of 8% tax)

Credit: marikekyoto 

The special meals above are only available for Muslim customers through prior reservation and cancellations will be accepted free of charge up to 2 days in advance!

#HHWT tip: Besides the branch at Shinsaibashi, the same halal menu is also available at its Kyoto, Tokyo and Yokohama restaurants.

For Reservations: +81-6-6245-6789
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri 11am – 3pm (last order 2.30pm)/5pm – 10pm (last order 9pm)
Saturday 11am – 10pm (last order 9pm)
Sundays & Holidays 11am – 9pm (last order 8pm)
Price: 2700 to 9257 yen
Address: Osaka Toyota Building B1, 4-3-11, Minamisenba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, 542-0081
Directions:

7. Ukihashi

If you feel like indulging yourself in formal Japanese dining, make your way to the swanky Hotel Granvia Osaka for some exquisite, Muslim-friendly meals at Ukihashi!

Here, you can delight in authentic Japanese cuisine using seasonal ingredients presented in a visually stunning manner that is guaranteed to delight the senses!  The restaurant has private dining rooms and an impressive panoramic view to make that dining experience extra memorable.

A private dining room at Ukihashi

Credit: hotelgranviaosaka 

At Ukihashi, its pork-free and alcohol-free Muslim-friendly menu consists of a bento box for lunch or a traditional Japanese course for dinner.  Only halal-certified chicken and beef is used in the menu, while soy sauce and other seasonings do not contain alcohol.

Muslim-friendly bento box

Credit: hotelgranviaosaka 

Even though other non-halal dishes are prepared in the same kitchen, the restaurant assures that cookware and kitchen utensils used for cooking Muslim-friendly food are separate from those used for non-halal food. However, dining plates and cutlery are the same as those used for the other menu items, while alcoholic beverages are also served to other customers, so we suggest to dine at your own discretion.

Muslim-friendly kaiseki dinner course

Credit: hotelgranviaosaka 

Do note that you need to make reservations from the Muslim-friendly menu at least four days in advance.

#HHWT tip: If you plan to stay at Hotel Granvia Osaka, prayer mats and qibla indicators are available upon request.

For Reservations: 81-6-6344-1235 (hotel main line)
Opening Hours:
Breakfast: 7am – 10am (last order 9.30am)
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11am-3pm (last order 2pm)
Sat, Sun & Public Hols 11am – 3.30pm (last order 3pm)
Dinner: Tues – Sat & Public Hols 5pm-10pm (last order 8.30pm)
Sun-Mon 5pm-10pm (last order 8.30pm) *reservation 2 days in advanced only
Price: Lunch Course 3500 yen, Dinner Course 8350 yen
Address: 3-1-1, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka, 530-0001
Directions:

*Special mention! Fleuve, located at the same hotel, is a fine-dining restaurant specialising in French fusion cuisine which also offers a Muslim-friendly menu. Do check them out if you’re interested!

8. Uemachi

If you feel like dining like royalty in an opulent, feudal-like atmosphere, then hurry on down to Uemachi at the Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka!  Here, soak yourself in the grandeur of the Muromachi and Momoyama periods in a mansion-like setting while feasting on halal bento sets!

Dine in elegance at Uemachi

Credit: tsunagujapan

Uemachi takes pride in serving exquisite traditional and contemporary Japanese dishes using only the freshest in-season ingredients. Imbued with the spirit of omotenashi  (world-renowned Japanese hospitality), you can expect impeccable service while indulging in bento meals that are fully halal-certified by The Kyoto Council for Sharia and Halal Affairs.

Halal Japanese dinner bento set “MIYAKO”, 5500 yen

Credit: tsunagujapan

Do note that the halal dishes are cooked in a separate halal kitchen, and that you need to make bookings at least three days in advance as the meals are limited to 20 sets per day.

#HHWT tip: If you are staying at Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka, you can request for prayer mats and a qibla compass. The hotel also has another restaurant ‘eu’ that serves halal breakfast buffet!

For Reservations: +81-6-6773-1253
Opening Hours:
Breakfast: 7am – 10am
Lunch: 11.30am – 2.30pm
Dinner: 5pm – 9.30pm
Price: Lunch 3000 yen, Dinner 5500 yen
Address: 6-1-55, Uehommachi, Tennoji-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
Directions:

9. Genji

What’s a trip to Japan without savouring to-die-for, melt-in-the-mouth halal Japanese wagyu beef?  Genji, a yakiniku or ‘grilled meat’ restaurant at Hilton Osaka hotel,  now offers these buttery slabs of heaven that are halal!  The wagyu beef served here is supplied by ‘USHI’ – a Japanese beef brand which complies with the Islamic way of slaughtering, and halal-certified by the Japan Islamic Trust!

Halal wagyu beef – look at that gorgeous fat marbling!

Credit: intergalacticyeah

Furthermore, the restaurant exclusively uses high-grade A3-ranked wagyu beef from Hokkaido so you can be assured of some intense marbling!  The wagyu beef is presented in a course menu consisting of other dishes such as grilled vegetables, soup, rice and dessert. You can also make special orders for sushi, kaiseki and tempura from a Muslim-friendly menu.

The beef is grilled teppanyaki-style right in front of you at the table. The halal certificate is also displayed for your peace of mind.

Credit: intergalacticyeah

Reservations can be made in advance by phone or through their online website but since it’s only in Japanese, you can find a detailed guide on how to make your bookings here!
#HHWT tip: Hilton Osaka Hotel is a Muslim-friendly hotel in Japan – the Quran, prayer rugs and qibla compass are available upon request!

For Reservations: +81-6-6347-0310
Opening Hours:
Lunch: 11.30am – 3pm (last order 2.30pm)
Dinner: Mon-Fri 5.30pm – 10pm (last order 9pm)
Sat, Sun & Public hol 5pm – 10pm (last order 9pm)
Price: Lunch Course 7000 yen (inclusive of taxes), Dinner Course 15000 yen (inclusive of taxes)
Address: 1-8-8, Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka city, Osaka
Directions:

10. Ramen Honolu

Hands up for those who love their ramen extra spicy?  You certainly won’t be disappointed with what Ramen Honolu has to offer!  Conveniently located in Namba, we hear it is the first halal ramen restaurant ever to open in Osaka!

Ramen Honolu storefront

Credit: Ramen Honolu

The restaurant serves delish ramen noodles swimming in either salted or soy-based chicken broth.  The thick, cloudy broth is made by boiling halal chicken for all of eight hours so believe us when we say that that the soup is simply…umami perfection!  The best part is that you can also choose your spice rating, ranging from mild to spicy to extra spicy, so for chilli-lovers out there, rejoice!

Heavenly spicy ramen that’s to die for.

Credit: Ramen Honolu

It’s customary to pour whatever leftover soup into a bowl of rice so you can enjoy every last drop of that tasty broth. *winks*

Nikkoken chicken gyoza – yummeh.

Credit: japal-mall

If the ramen and rice alone don’t fill you up, you can order dishes from the side menu such as the famous halal-certified Nikkoken chicken gyoza, and halal roast chicken with rice.

Muslim diners at the restaurant, pictured here with the multi-lingual Muslim staff!

Credit: Ramen Honolu

Note: Even though the restaurant is not halal-certified, all ingredients used are halal. Alcoholic beverages are also served, so we suggest to dine at your own discretion.

#HHWT tip: A prayer space is available at the restaurant for Muslim visitors.

For Reservations: 06-6710-9604
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat 11.30am – 2.30pm (lunch)/5pm – 9pm (dinner)
Sunday 5pm – 9pm (dinner).
Closed during Golden Week, Bon holiday and New Year’s holiday.
Price: 380 to 880 yen
Address: 1F, 2-5-27 Motomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 556-0016
Directions:

11. Tsuki no Odori

Rejoice if you’re a chicken lover! Tsuki no Odori, which is known for their chicken dishes has now started serving their halal menu every day. They’ve taken great care to ensure that the halal dishes served meets their standards and diners expectations.

The whole chicken filled with rice and vegetables in the chicken salt hot pot is perfect for 2

Credit: halalmedia.jp

Their miso hot pot and chicken salt hot pot are made for sharing with a minimum of 2 people so this is the perfect place to slurp down some hot soup with your travel buddies!

Be sure to try the succulent yakitori!

Credit: halalmedia.jp

Don’t forget to have the salted caramel ice cream for dessert

Note: It’s best to make a reservation before visiting especially if you’re going in a group of 4 or more, as although they do have halal meals on hand, the number of servings is limited.

For Reservations: Email tsukino.odori@gmail.com / Call +816-6213-9988
Opening Hours: 4:00pm – 12:00am (Last order at 11:00pm). Closed on Thursdays
Price: 2100 to 3500 yen
Address: 24K Bld.2F, 1-1-11, Dotombori, Chuo-ku Osaka-shi, Osaka
Directions:

12. Bulls

If you’re more of a meat eater instead, check out Bulls for halal shabu-shabu, steak and sukiyaki! If you’re starving, they serve all-you-can-eat sukiyaki and shabu-shabu for dinner (you’ll have 90 minutes to gobble down all the meat you can ).

Just look at that potful of goodness!

Credit: halalmedia.jp

They’ve ensured that their dipping sauces are halal

Credit: halalmedia.jp

They use different kitchen ware and plates for their halal meals, and store the meats separately. Good news for students – they’ve also started offering discounts if you present your student card when ordering their halal meals!

For Reservations: +816-6647-0555
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 3:00pm (Last order at 2:30pm), 5:00pm – 10:00pm (Last order at 9:30pm)
Price:
Lunch – 1500 yen (Sukiyaki lunch set)
Dinner – 5000 yen (all-you-can-eat sukiyaki and shabu-shabu), 3500 yen (sukiyaki and shabu-shabu set for one), 3500 yen (steak set for one)
Address: OCAT Mall 5F, 1-4-1, Minatomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka
Directions:

13. Matsuri

And finally, to round off the list, let’s take you to the first restaurant ever to serve halal takoyaki in Japan – the newly opened Matsuri!  Matsuri, meaning ‘festival’ in Japanese, serves popular Japanese dishes such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki and ramen at pocket-friendly prices!

Do note even though the restaurant is not yet halal-certified, utmost care has been taken to ensure that all ingredients that go into the dishes are halal.  However, alcoholic beverages are served at the restaurant, so we suggest to dine at your own discretion.

An enticing array of dishes await for you at Matsuri! Clockwise from top left – rice burger, takoyaki, seafood okonomiyaki and ramen.

Credit: Matsuri

More dishes from the menu! Clockwise from top left – sashimi bowl, seafood yakisoba, rolled omelette with green onion and sardine, Nikkoken chicken gyoza and chicken karaage.

Credit: Matsuri

Round off your meal with local desserts such as takoyaki pancake or oshiruko (red bean soup)!

What sets this restaurant apart is that it doesn’t used any pre-chilled or pre-cooked items, so say hello to fresh and delicious food!  They also have a mini-retail corner where you can shop for Muslim-friendly foodstuffs such as condiments and instant ramen!

Credit: @samurairamenumami

Samurai Ramen Umami – instant ramen sold at the restaurant. Although not halal-certified, it does not contain any animal products or alcohol.

#HHWT tip: A prayer space is available at the restaurant for Muslim visitors.

For Reservations: 06-6940-6633
Opening Hours: Daily. 11am – 2pm (lunch)/5pm – 12 pm (dinner)
Price: 280 to 880yen
Address: 3-27-17 Yoshino, Fukushima-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 553-0006
Directions:

Aren’t you impressed by the Muslim-friendly Japanese food options we now have in Osaka? So what are you waiting for? Book that next flight to Osaka, pronto!

Seoul has A LOT of amazing sights and attractions to offer, that’s for sure. So we actually had a really hard time narrowing it down to just 15! Don’t worry, it’s not all about shopping! And if you ask us, we would totally have halal Korean food in all guides about Korea :P) So arm yourself with our guide and get ready to plan for your trip to Seoul, because you can be sure that we’ve picked the best out of the best!

P.S. Don’t forget to download the HHWT Travel Planner app, available on Google Play for Android and iTunes Store for iOS, to make your trip to Seoul a fuss-free one! You can find attractions as well as halal food and prayer spaces near these attractions, so no worries on not being able to find halal food anymore!

1. Bukchon Hanok Village

If you’ve been reading our articles for some time now, you would probably already know that Bukchon Hanok Village is one of our favourite spots in Seoul. You can literally take a walk down ancient Seoul and marvel at the traditional Korean houses that date all the way back to the Joseon Dynasty!

#HHWT Tip: The village is an actual residential area in current times, so do lower your volume when visiting!
Price: Free
Opening Hours: Open all year round
Address: 37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
How to go: Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2.
Go straight for about 300m to arrive at Bukchon Hanok Village.

2. Insadong

Located just next to Bukchon Hanok Village is the traditional area of Seoul, Insadong! Home to lots of small shops selling traditional artsy trinkets and Korean teahouses, Insadong is the perfect place to spend a day strolling and getting lost in the many alleyways!

#HHWT Tip: Every Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00, the main street is blocked off from traffic and it becomes a cultural space!

Want to find out more on what you can do in Insadong? Check out our Muslim-friendly area guide!
Price: Free
Opening Hours: Street opens all year round, time varies depending on shops
Address: 62, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
How to go: Anguk Station (Line 3) Exit 6. Go 100m straight, then turn left.

3. Gyeongbukgung

South Korea has a rich history and where else to learn about this than at the royal palaces? Walk the path of the royals and learn about the fascinating history of South Korea. Trust us, it’s definitely worth a visit. Especially when you can also sign up for a free tour in English!

Palace looking gorgeous in spring!

And if you’re only planning on visiting one palace, then you should definitely head to Gyeongbukgung as it’s the primary palace of the Joseon dynasty!

Price: Adults (ages 19-64): 3,000 won, Children (ages 7-18): 1,500 won
Opening Hours: November-February 09:00-17:00
March-May 09:00-18:00
June-August 09:00-18:30
September-October 09:00-18:00
Address: 161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
How to go: Gyeongbokgung Palace Station (Line 3), Exit 5
OR Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), Exit 2

4. Changdeokgung Palace

Credit: rj koehler

While Gyeongbukgung is the most majestic palace, Changdeokgung holds its own charm with its simple and unimposing style. It also has an actual secret garden, which is being kept as natural as possible and holds 26,000 trees! (Yep, you saw that right.) Be sure to visit if you’re heading to Seoul in Autumn, for an amazingly breathtaking view.

Credit: Changdeokgung

#HHWT Tip: If you’re planning on visiting at least two palaces, be sure to purchase the integrated admission which gives you access to all four palaces, including the secret garden and Jongmyo shrine.

Price: Adults (ages 19-64): Regular 3,000 won / Secret Garden – 5,000 won
Children and Teenagers (ages 18 and under): Regular 1,500 won / Secret Garden – 2,500 won
Opening Hours: Feb-May, Sep-Oct 09:00-18:00
Jun-Aug 09:00-18:30
Nov-Jan 09:00-17:30
Closed on Mondays.
Address: 99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
How to go: Jongno 3-ga Station (Line 1, 3 or 5), Exit 6. Walk for about 10-min to arrive at the palace entrance.
Or
Anguk Station (Line 3), Exit 3. Walk straight from the exit (towards east) for about 5-min to arrive at the palace entrance.

Download the HHWT Travel Planner app to find our guide to the top attractions and add these attractions to your itinerary for Seoul!

5. Garosugil

Credit: @fromtherightbank

Nicknamed the Little Europe of Seoul, Garosugil was once an up and coming area where hipsters  flock to. But it has now evolved to being one of the must-visit spots in Seoul! This tree-lined street has a number of international chains such as H&M, Forever21, etc, but we say skip the chains and look out for indie local designers and gorgeous cafes to grab your cuppa!

Price: Free (probably lots of window-shopping)
Opening Hours: Time varies depending on shops
Address: How to go: Sinsa Station (Line 3), around a 15 minute walk from Exit #8

6. Ewha Women’s University Fashion Street

Located near the gorgeous campus of Ewha Women’s University, the fashion street is every girl’s idea of a shopping paradise. Prices tend to be pretty affordable too, as it’s catered for the students studying in this university area.

Price: The question is, how much are you willing to spend on shopping?
Opening Hours: Time varies according to shops
Address: 10, Ewhayeodae 1-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
How to go: Ewha Women’s University Station (Line 2), take Exit 2

7. Myeongdong Shopping Street

Credit: korea.net

Regardless of whether you’re a shopaholic or not, your trip to Seoul will never be complete without visiting Myeongdong! Girls, rejoice. You can find pretty much all the Korean skincare brands in Myeongdong, and sometimes even multiple branches of the same store! Guys, don’t fret. There are also a number apparel and footwear stores for you! And if all else fails, you can always take in the sights of the bustling shopping street and kill some time at a cat café

Price: It really depends on your shopping budget
Opening Hours: Time varies according to shops
Address: Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
How to go: Myeondong Station (Line 4), Exit 6 to get to the heart of the shopping district

8. Hongik University Street (Hongdae)

Credit: socoolkorea

Like the Ewha Fashion Street, Hongik University Street (or Hongdae) is also always bustling with students and tourists! As Hongdae is an arts university, the artsy vibe can definitely be seen through the streets, be it through street art and fashion or talented musicians performing live at night. Hongdae is definitely an area you have to visit to soak in the arts and experience the Korean nightlife!

#HHWT Tip: There are a number of interesting cafes around Hongdae too, including the famous sheep cafe And don’t forget to visit on Saturdays, where the Hongdae Free Market (located at the playground) is filled with artists selling their crafts! It’s open from 1pm to 6pm.

Price: Again, it depends on your shopping and café-hopping budget
Opening Hours: Time varies according to shops, but nightlife is huge in Hongdae
Address: Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
How to go: Hongdae Station (Line 2) , Exit 9 to get to the main area

9. Lotte World

Credit: tincowashere

One of the most popular theme parks in Korea, Lotte World is well-loved by both locals and tourists, as evident in all the Korean dramas There are a number of different rides in this theme park, ranging from kid-friendly rides to more thrilling ones like a free-fall drop ride, Gyro Drop!

#HHWT Tip: There’s a new prayer room facility on the third floor of Lotte World!

Price: Day-Pass – Adults 48,000 won, Teens 42,000 won, Children 38,000 won, Infants 12,000 won
Day-Pass (after 16:00) – Adults 38,000 won, Teenagers 33,000 won, Children 29,000 won, Infants 12,000 won
Opening Hours: 09:30-22:00 (Nighttime admission: 16:00~)
Closing time may vary each day. Do check their official site for details. http://global.lotteworld.com/main.asp
Address: 240, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
How to go: Jamsil Station (Line 2, 8),Exit 4. The theme park is directly connected to the station.

10. Noryangjin Fish Market

Credit: Jake Ejercito

If you love your seafood, Noryangjin Fish Market is definitely worth a visit. And even if you’re not looking to have a meal there, trust us, it’s an experience you won’t forget From the different (and we really do mean different) types of seafood displayed at the stalls to the friendly but scary at times Korean ahjummas, the market is always busy. Be sure to wear proper shoes or even boots if you don’t want to get your feet wet!

Price: A meal at Noryangjin will set you back around 50,000 to 70,000 depending on your order. This is estimated for a meal for 3-4pax.
Opening Hours: General Fish Market – 1.30am to 10pm
Address: 674, Nodeul-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul
How to go: Noryangjin Station (Line 1), Exit 1.Walk about 100m over the bridge before arriving at destination.

11. Seoul Central Mosque

It’s always fascinating to experience and understand the Muslim culture in a foreign country, so head to the Seoul Central Masjid and meet the local Korean Muslim community in Seoul. Plus it’s located in Itaewon where pretty much most of the halal Korean food in Seoul is at

Address: 732-21 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
How to go: Itaewon Station, Exit 3. Check out our area guide to Itaewon for detailed directions!

12. Inwangsan Mountain

Credit: travelcaffeine

Experience Korea in a different way and visit Inwangsan, located right in the heart of Seoul! Time to lace on your walking shoes for a bit of a hike Along the way, you can get a glimpse of the Seoul Fortress Wall which surrounds the mountain and an amazing view of the city!

Price: Free
Opening Hours: Closed on Mondays.
Address: San 3-1, Muak-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul-si
How to go: Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 3. Go straight 90m to the Gyeongbokgung Station bus stop. Take Jongno Bus 09 and get off at Ogin APT. Walk approx. 660m to Inwangsan Mountain.

13. Seoul Forest

Credit: dadaturtle

Escape the hustle and bustle of metropolitan Seoul and head for some peace and quiet in Seoul Forest. If you’re lucky, you may even meet some deer in the park!

#HHWT Tip: Bike rentals are also available (6,000won for adults, 3,000won for children) and we definitely recommend cycling around to see more of the park!

Price: Free
Opening Hours: Open all year round
Address: 273, Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
How to go: Seoul Forest Station. 5 min. walk from Exit 3, 4

14. N Seoul Tower

One of the most iconic landmarks in Seoul, the N Seoul Tower is the perfect place if you want to get a bird’s eye view of Seoul! And of course, while you’re there, don’t forget to snap a shot of the thousands of love locks below the tower. Perhaps even leave your mark there?

Price: Observatory – Adults 10,000 won, Children & Seniors 8,000 won
Opening Hours: [Sunday-Friday] Observatory: 10:00-23:00
[Saturday] Observatory: 10:00-24:00
Address: 105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
How to go: You can head to N Seoul Tower via cable car (fares apply) or by bus. Check out their official website for detailed directions! 

15. National Museum of Korea

Credit: ferretingoutthefun

If history is your thing, then you’ll definitely want to head over to the National Museum of Korea to get a deeper insight on Korean history, culture and its traditions! There are a whole lot of things to see at the museum, so it may get a teeny bit overwhelming.

Price: Free, with the exception of special exhibitions.
Opening Hours: Tue, Thu, Fri: 9:00 – 18:00
Wed, Sat: 9:00-21:00
Sun, Holidays: 9:00 – 19:00
Closed on New Year’s Day and every Monday.
Address: 137, Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
How to go: 

So there you have it! If you want to experience Seoul and understand its culture to the fullest, these attractions absolutely have to be on your list. Let us know if you have a favourite attraction that’s not on our list and if you’re planning your trip, don’t forget to download the HHWT Travel Planner available on both Google Play for Android and the iTunes Store for iOS. Our guide is also available on the app so you can easily access it and add these attractions to your itinerary

You’ve landed safely. You’ve checked in to the hotel. Now, with so many things to do in Perth, where do you start? Here are some ideas of what you can do so you’ll maximise your time in this city of lights! 

Credit: giphy

Getting Around

The Perth CBD itself only takes a day for you to familiarise yourself with, and most of it is achievable on foot or by taking Perth’s free CAT buses (unfortunately there aren’t any actual cats on these buses ). The city is broken down into 3 main areas: Northbridge in the north, the city’s CBD and shopping street in the middle and Kings Park in the South. You can explore the city from north to south or south to north, but do bear in mind that most places close by 5pm, with the exception of late night shopping Thursdays when retail stores close at 9pm.

Another great option to explore Perth is by renting a car! It’s pretty easy to drive around the city and its surrounds, and it definitely gives you more freedom to explore.

[If you need reasons to visit Australia…here are 9!]

Day 1 – Warm up to the city

Start your day with the breakfast of champions! (1-2 hours)

• If you’re up for an early start to the day, have breakfast and a cup of coffee at one of Perth’s many cafes like the vegan and vegetarian friendly Flora & Fauna in Northbridge.

How insanely gorgeous is this spread?

Credit: Flora & Fauna

Warm up to the city at Kings Park or have a wet & wild time at Adventure World! (2-5 hours)

• I’m not sure about you, but when I travel to other countries, I’d like to start my day warming up to the country by exploring the city. For this, Kings Park & Botanic Garden is just the ticket.
• While you are there, take some time to wander around the lake and fountains, climb the DNA Tower, take the elevated treetop Federation Walkway, or simply have a picnic with families or friends on the green grass.

Credit: expedia

• During summer months, Kings Park also hosts Australia’s favourite outdoor cinema, the Moonlight Cinema, showing new and classic movies on the lawns of the park. Definitely an experience not to be missed, especially if you’re a movie buff!

Chilling out at the Moonlight Cinema

Credit: moonlight

• For adrenaline junkies, make your way to Perth’s Adventure World – the only theme/water park that you will find in Perth. It has the longest, tallest and steepest Tornado water slide and over 25 rides and attractions that are sure to make your adrenaline rush! If you’re planning a visit here, make sure to purchase the Fast Pass to bypass the queues, especially on summer, where the park is normally packed with crowds.

Credit: buggybuddys

• Once your tummy growls and you need some carbs to rev-up your day, head on to Insan’s Cafe for a taste of Malaysian cuisine in the heart of Perth city.

Fried rice definitely hits the spot!

Credit: @norzieabdthani

Walk around the CBD (2-3 hours)

• Explore the shopping streets of Hay St and Murray St, get transported to London at the quaint London Court, have a slice of Honey Cake in the city or hop on to Northbridge for Corica’s Apple Strudels!

Stroll down Ye Olde England in Perth!

Credit: landlopers

Day 2 – Be one with the animals

Swim with the dolphins or see the most adorable penguins at Rockingham(3-6 hours)

• This should be the highlight of your trip. If it’s not, make it one, as it’s guaranteed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience you will never forget! Located just 40 minutes away from south of Perth, Rockingham‘s coastal waters are frequently visited by large pods of friendly wild dolphins. For AUD205 (snorkel gear and refreshments included), you get to go up-close and personal with these wild bottlenose dolphins, swim and interact with them in their natural environment. Tours operate daily from September to early June, and can last anything from three to six hours, depending on dolphin activity and sightings on the day.

Take a selfie with dolphins!

Credit: @rockinghamwild

• If you can’t swim but would still love to see dolphins AND penguins, fret not, as you can take a ferry or cruise to Penguin Island, which is home to the largest colony of Little Penguins, the smallest species of penguin in the world!

Aren’t they just the cutest?

Credit: alisonlouise

• All the swimming and excitement can make anyone hungry, but this can be fixed at Spices on Ocean restaurant, that serves halal Indian cuisine at Rockingham Beach Road. When you’re there, don’t forget to try their succulent lamb korma moglai, chicken makhani, and the onion bhaji that can get anyone drooling for sure!

Credit: zomato

#HHWT Tip: Fun fact! There’s also a Nando’s nearby that is halal. In fact, most of the Nando’s restaurants available in Australia are halal-certified. Just be sure to double check in case some outlets serve bacon in their menu.

Meet the koalas and feed the kangaroos at Caversham Wildlife Park (3-6 hours)

• If being near water is not your thing, hug cuddly animals at the wildlife park! You can hand-feed kangaroos, take photos with koalas, touch a lizard (if you’re not squeamish) or join in an interactive farm show – definitely a once in a lifetime experience to have, as most of these animals are native to Australia only.

Credit: exploretoursperth

#HHWT Tip: Caversham Wildlife Park serves halal food! You can find curry, rice and even pies. If you’re not up for eating there, you can also check out Makan 2 Cafe on your way back to the city for some good ol’ Malaysian food and teh tarik.

Day 3 – Take a selfie with rocks

See the legendary Pinnacles and eat succulent lobster (8 – 10 hours)

• Start your day early by driving to Cervantes (about 3 hours drive from Perth city) to visit the majestic Pinnacles, an otherworldly desert of stone pillars rising up out of the golden sand. On summer, the weather can get very hot around here, so be sure to arrive early in the morning or late evening for that perfect photo shots with these alien looking rocks!

Discover the ancient limestone pillars of the pinnacles.

Credit: pinnaclehelicopterflights

• For a hearty lunch, there’s no better place than The Lobster Shack, just 30 minutes away from The Pinnacles. Of course the succulent, exquisite flavour of the western rock lobster is a must-try meal when you’re here, alongside other dishes like the fish and chips, seafood burger, grilled fish and salads. The food here is a bit costly, but it’s so, so good, I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Credit: nfa-nfi

• If you’re not rushing for time, I’d also suggest that you linger around and go on the Lobster Shack boat tour at sunset to enjoy the most spectacular view of the sun melts into the Indian Ocean. While you’re there, do also keep an eye our for the local sea lions and dolphins in the ocean!

Day 4 – Get in touch with nature

Explore Swan Valley (6 – 8 hours)

• If you’re a nature person like me, you’d love the next visit – the Swan Valley, just 20 minutes from Perth CBD. Spend a good 1-2 hours just picking grapes, at Katich’s The Grape Place.

Sun-kissed grapes

Credit: dave2-gwewo

• Chocolate lovers can also head on to Margaret River Chocolate Factory nearby that boasts hundreds of delicious chocolate products. While you’re there, don’t forget to indulge yourself with the sumptuous range of cakes, desserts, chocolate fondues, drinks and chocolate inspired treats all day long.

Try not to drool over the selection of chocolates here!

Credit: big4

• For high tea, be sure to drop by Cape Lavender, a unique cafe that serves everything-lavender – from teas, scones, cakes, through to ice creams! The food there is always beautifully presented, tasty and most importantly, value for money. Other than that, the cafe is also filled with lavender-made products, from hand lotions, lip balms, lavender scent, soaps, etc you name it. No doubt, it is easily the best kept secret in Swan Valley!

Some lavender ice cream to go with your tea perhaps?

Credit: @jeanfilan

• If you have some time left, don’t forget to pop by the iconic Blue Boat House in Perth to get some gorgeous photos! It’s around a 29min drive from the Swan Valley visitor centre.

Day 5 – Shop till you drop

Take a trip down to Fremantle (5 – 6 hours)

• What better way to end the trip other than shop for Perth goodies! If you’re looking for cheap souvenirs to bring back home, head on to Fremantle Market, just 25 minutes from Perth CBD. Do note that the market is only open from Friday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm.

 Credit: fremantlewesternaustralia 

• When you’re here, don’t forget to drop by Kailis’ Fish Market Cafe, famous for their delicious fish and chips.

Award winning fish & chips!

Credit: tesyasblog

Shop your favourite brands (3 – 4 hours)

• Then, head on to Watertown Brand Outlet Centre to shop for your favourite brands like, Levi’s, Dangerfield, French Connection, Nine West, Nike, Esprit and much more, without burning a hole in your pocket!

Credit: pototravel

There’s a whole lot more to explore in Perth and Western Australia, like heading to the beaches where the sunsets are nothing short of spectacular and the ocean is a pristine blue. We definitely think it’s time for you to start planning your adventure down under!

Beauty sleep is suuuuper important to the HHWT team  So whenever we’re taking a plane ride, we try our best to get as comfy as we can, to get some sleep before we are energized and all ready to travel So even if you’re not a business traveller, we say this infographic by Sleepy People will definitely help you get more sleep time!

When you look at China, the first thing that probably comes to mind is Jet Li practising Kung-Fu in a Shaolin temple  (just kidding!). But did you know that China is home to about 23.3 million Muslims? That is more than the population of Muslims in some Muslim majority countries.

Credit: giphy

According to traditional Chinese Muslim accounts, Islam was first introduced to China in 616-18 AD by the sahaba (companions) of Prophet Muhammad PBUH namely Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas, Sayid, Wahab ibn Abu Kabcha and another Sahaba Wahab ibn Abu Kabcha (Wahb Abi Kabcha). It is noted in other accounts that Wahab ibn Abu Kabcha reached the sea of Canton in 629 AD.

So, it comes to no surprise that China is home to some of the oldest mosques in the world. Here are 5 of the most well-known mosques in China.

1. Id Kah Mosque

Definitely doesn’t look like China does it?

Credit: sobrechina

The Id Kah Mosque (Id Kah meaning ‘a place of praying and celebrating in festivals’) is located at Kashgar, Xinjiang Uigur autonomous Region and is the largest mosque in China. Built in 1442 as a very small structure, it has been renovated many times but maintains a strong ethnic style and Islamic features.

Currently, the mosque occupies 16,800 square metres consisting of the courtyard, prayer hall and the gate tower, as well as other connecting structures.

Credit: skazeisk

Thousands of worshipers come here every day to pray and every Friday afternoon, worshipers from all over the region come for Friday prayers. Also during religious festivals, all the Muslims in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region come to this sacred place to celebrate. I guess that itself tells you which time you should be traveling here.

There is an admission fee charged and very limited visiting hours, so make sure you arrive there on time. Of course, if you’re Muslim, you are welcome to pray anytime

Admission Fee: CNY 20
Opening Hours: 08:50am to 10:00pm
Address: Jiefang North Road, Kashi 844500, China

2. Great Mosque of Xi’an

It’s like something out of the Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon movie.

The Xi’an Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in China, built in the year 742 during the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907). Although the Xi’an Great Mosque was built during the Tang Dynasty, most of what you see today was built during the Ming Dynasty and further expanded during the Qing Dynasty.

The entrances to the prayer hall

Credit: ambar briastuti

Unlike the Id Kah Mosque, the Xi’an Mosque is completely Chinese in its construction and architectural style, except for some Arabic calligraphy decorations. In fact, you could be forgiven for mistaking this mosque for a temple at first glance.

[Add Xi’an to your bucket list! Here are 5 reasons why]

Stone carvings and Islamic calligraphy at the Xi’an Grand Mosque

Credit: Gabriel Jorby

There is an admission fee charged to enter, but as usual, if you’re a Muslim, you are free to pray anytime.

Admission fee:
March 1 to November 30 – CNY 25;
December 1 to end of next February – CNY 15
Address: Huajue Alley, Xincheng District, Xi’an 710043,China

3. Emin Minaret

Did we take a wrong turn into Iran?

Credit: anotherworldadventures

The Emin Minaret or Imin Ta stands beside the Uyghur Mosque located in Turfan, Xinjiang. The minaret is 44 metres tall and is the tallest minaret in China. As the story goes, the Qing Empire conquered this largely Muslim region in the 1750s after defeating the Dzungar Mongols.

The Uyghurs under Emir Khoja joined the Qing Empire to receive protection from the Dzungar Mongols. The Qing Empire was very tolerant towards Islam and ruled the population with a light hand.

The minaret started construction in 1777 during the Emperor Qianlong (1735 – 1796) and completed a year later. It was built to honour the exploits of a local Turpan general, Emin Khoja, in which the minaret was named after. It is located along the ancient Silk Road near the site of the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves.

On second thoughts, did we make a wrong turn to Sparta?

Credit: Allan Grey

You might mistake this mosque as a mosque in the Middle East. That’s because this is a Uyghur majority region, in which the Uyghurs are not related ethnically to the Chinese, but rather closer related to the Turkish culture. I like this contrast in atmosphere as it gives China a much broader cultural experience, which is awesome!

It goes without saying that if you’re Muslim, you are free to enter and pray. Otherwise entrance fees apply.

Entrance fee: CNY25
Opening hours: 8.30am to 8pm but closed during prayer sessions.
Address: Munage Village, Putao Country, Turpan 838000, China

4. Niujie Mosque, Beijing

A must-visit if you are in Beijing

Credit: Michal Huniewicz

The Niujie Mosque was built in the year 996 during the Liao Dynasty. Similar to the Xi’an Great Mosque, the Niujie Mosque was built by the local Chinese Muslim community using traditional Chinese Architecture.

Credit: IvanWalsh

It was originally designed by Nazaruddin, the son of an Imam. After it was destroyed by the armies of Genghis Khan in 1215, the Mosque was rebuilt in 1443 during the Ming Dynasty.

The mosque courtyard almost looks like a kungfu training centre!

Credit: mikeccross

The Niujie mosque is frequently used by the Government of the Peoples Republic of China as a visiting site for delegates from Islamic countries. It is also popular among both Han and Hui Chinese tourist from all over China who come to visit the mosque.

As you have probably read in my previous article on Beijing, I have visited the mosque during my trip to Beijing. It is one of the most unique mosques I have ever prayed in, with unmistakable beautiful Chinese architecture resembling no mosque in Malaysia, where I’m from.

Entrance fee: CNY 10
Opening hours: 8am – 4pm
Address: No.18 Niujie Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100053, China

5. Huaisheng Mosque, Guangzhou

The Huaisheng is believe to be one of the oldest mosques in the world.

Credit: By Ismaila1977 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Also known as the Lighthouse Mosque, the Huaisheng Mosque is the main mosque in Guangzhou. The mosque was rebuilt many times throughout history and is believed to be built 1,300 years ago, which would make it one of the oldest mosques in the world.

Old Chinese Muslim manuscripts state that the mosque was built in 627AD by Saa`d ibn Abi Waqqas who was an uncle of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, and supposedly came on his first Muslim mission to China in the 620s.

The minaret was said to serve as a beacon to boats which earned it the name “Lighthouse Mosque”

To the Chinese, the most unusual feature of the mosque is its minaret, the 36 metre high round tower with a pointed tip. The minaret may have served as a beacon for boats, which explains where it gets its name from (Guangta, literally meaning “tower of light”).

The other name, Huaisheng Mosque means “cherishing the sacred” or “cherishing the sage”, presumably referring to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH.

Being built by a person from the time of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH alone is a reason this mosque needs to be on top of the list of places to visit when you are in the region. Possibly up the list along with visiting Makkah and Madinah.

Admittance to the mosque is only for Muslims and tour groups. The tour usually takes about half an hour.

Opening hours: 8.30am – 5pm
Address: No.55 Guangta Road, Guangzhou 510180, China.

One last word…

Although some might dismiss China as being the last place on earth to find Islamic history, but in fact, it is one of the first regions that the Prophet Muhammad PBUH and his companions began to spread Islam to the world. I bet you will learn a lot when visiting the mosques in China and study the history behind the construction of the mosques.

Just keep an open mind and enjoy yourself learning history.

Now that Ramadan is just around the corner, you may be thinking of what to prepare for your family for sahur. So here’s our list of power-packed sahur meals that are not only rich in fibre, protein and good fats but quick and easy to make! Perfect if you’re preparing for you and your family

Credit: Giphy

1. Smoothie Bowl

Smoothies are meant to be slurped through a straw, but what if you make it thicker, somewhat like ice-cream, such that you have to use a spoon instead? Add to that, endless possibilities of fun toppings? You’ll get a nutrient-packed and super-filling smoothie bowl!

Peach pie smoothie bowl

Get the full recipe on spoonful of flavour!

Super green smoothie bowl – avocados and kale FTW!

Get the full recipe on minimalist baker!

2. Old-School Sardine Sandwich

You can never go wrong with this classic, old-time favourite! And did you know that sardines are full of protein, Omega 3, and vitamin D?

Make the filling by mixing shallots, lime juice and chilli slices to mashed sardines (eggs optional!). Then slather the filling between two slabs of wholemeal bread for extra fibre! Include some tomatoes and lettuce to your sandwich for added hydration throughout the day.

3. Omelette Souffle

Omelettes are your usual go-tos for a quick sahur meal. But how about we elevate the humble omelette to greater heights by making a fluffy omelette souffle? You can choose a variety of fillings to go with your omelette such as cheese, mushrooms or spinach!

4. Muesli French Toast

Add a new spin to your typical french toast by rolling it in muesli. The result will be a crispy and crunchy sahur treat! Make it even more irresistible by drizzling maple syrup over the toast and topping it off with some fresh fruits.

Muesli french toast – a good balance of fibre and protein to stave off those hunger pangs!

Credit: Kellogs Origins

Find the full recipe here!

5. Overnight Oatmeal Bars

Overnight oats was all the rage last season, so this time around let’s put a clever twist to it by making overnight oatmeal bars – no spoon needed here! And it’s easily customisable too – throw in your favourite nuts or dried fruit to the basic yoghurt and oatmeal combo.

Overnight oatmeal bars

Find the full recipe on tablespoon.

#HHWT Tip: Drizzle some chocolate sauce onto the bars to entice the kids!

6. Granola Yogurt Parfaits

Granola yogurt parfaits must be a God-send for sleepyheads during sahur because minimal effort is involved. Just assemble the layers and dive right in!

Granola yogurt parfaits – jam-packed with fibre and protein!

Get the recipe on completelydelicious.

7. Anything-goes Wraps

Wraps are the most versatile sahur items as you can easily use any leftover meats from dinner as the filling. Don’t forget to include your favourite vegetables and dressing, and use wholemeal wraps to amp up your fibre intake! Here are some recipes to get you started.

Grilled chicken and hummus wrap

Find the recipe on cooking classy.

Portobello mushroom wrap.

Mushrooms are nutrient-rich, have a high water content, and help the body to release energy. Just perfect for sahur!

Get the full recipe on girl makes food.

8. Breakfast Salad

Salads are now no longer confined to those on diets. Today, breakfast salads are the IN-thing for those looking for an energy-boosting and satiating mix of protein, healthy fats, whole grains, fresh fruits and/or vegetables all in one. It’s a multi-tasker, we tell ya!

Guacamole and egg breakfast salad

Find the recipe on kitchen sanctuary.

Fresh fruit breakfast salad

Get the recipe at my little celebration.

We certainly hope we got your creative juices flowing with these sahur ideas! When it comes to cooking and preparing food for your family, you are only limited by your imagination! Happy fasting from all of us at #HHWT and don’t forget to look out for our upcoming articles for Ramadan!

With Ramadan fast approaching, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about eating healthy during the fasting month. From how do I stay hydrated? To is it even possible to lose weight while fasting?

And it inspires me whenever I get another person asking me something about health because it simply means they know the value of their taking care of themselves. As a sports and exercise nutritionist, I take this month to reset my fitness and nutrition goals. There’s no better time really. Why? I get to feel healthy so I can fulfil my ibadah better AND fasting is a natural detoxification process.

Even if you don’t want to lose weight or do anything healthy for yourself, take some time to take care of your body this coming Ramadan. You need the energy and your health for all the prayers and ibadah you’ll be doing. And you will definitely feel better.

Here are 5 simple things you can do during Ramadan followed by 2 very simple recipes you can whip up in 15 minutes! No you don’t have to be a nutritionist to eat healthy.

1. Eat Complex Carbohydrates at Sahur and Iftar

Credit: giphy

If you were planning to skimp on carbohydrates during the fasting month merely to lose as much weight as possible then think again. Yes, you will lose weight if you eat lesser carbs but most of those weight will be water weight of which you will put them back on right after Hari Raya/Eid. See here’s the thing that’s not so rocket science — carbohydrates in our system retain water. Less carbs = less water = less weight. Not so complicated huh?

Trust me on this, get the unprocessed carbohydrates in. Have more of wholegrains and wholemeal. Choose brown over white rice. Sweet potato is delicious.

You will definitely feel better, which means you’ll perform even better doing your ibadah. Win.

2. Don’t Avoid, But Have More Of…

Restriction often leads to serious bingeing. When I was losing weight six years ago, the biggest mistake I did was to write down a list of foods that I can’t eat. Over a period of time, my brain rewired itself to make it seem like those ‘Can’t Eat — Red Flag’ foods are dirty and unclean when as a matter of fact, they’re all foods and it’s merely a choice you make.

Instead of avoiding foods like these, make Ramadan a time to adopt a healthy practice of having something more of. It’s simple… Have more of brown rice instead of avoiding white rice. Have more of home made fries instead of fries from outside.

You can use the list above to start working out what foods to have more of as oppose to restricting yourself. That way, you develop a healthy relationship with food, something we all need more. Try it.

3. Drink ONLY Water (Or unsweetened tea/coffee)

I know, living in Southeast Asia is tough when all around us are bazaar Ramadan with fountains of barley, soya bean, bandung, air kathira — did I mention air kathira? Let me tell you one reason why we are all gaining weight — sugary drinks. Yes that includes fizzy drinks, syrups, coconut water, vitamin water, anything else that is really not water. It doesn’t matter how natural the label says, water should be your only go to drink during the fasting month.

After a whole day of fasting combined with the insane Asian heat, the last thing your body need is sugar. Here’s what happen when you drink sugar: Drink sugary drinks = body needs to dilute those drinks so it’s less harmful for your system = more water is needed. Ever wondered why you get thirstier when you drink something sweet? Again, not rocket science.

So this fasting month, do yourself and your body a favour and drink just water (or unsweetened teas or coffees). Not fruit juices. Not that healthy coconut drink. Water.

4. Eat In, Not Out

As much as possible, try to have sahur and iftar at home. Even if you do not know how to cook healthy, it’s always better to eat at home. Our parents, grandparents, helper, magical cooking fairy at home will almost always use less salt, less sugar and little to no MSG at home than those people who sells their meals to you. We can’t blame the restaurant chefs of course. When cooking in restaurants or in bulk, it’s almost convenient and better to add in more of those artificial ingredients to make it tastier for you but is it better for your health? Not quite.

5. Rilek Bro, Of Course Can Chill and Makan

Credit: giphy

Alright alright now this brings me to my last point — of course you can enjoy yourself and eat out during the fasting month!

Some of the Companions of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “We eat but are not satisfied.” He (ﷺ) said, “Perhaps you eat separately.” The Companions replied in affirmative. He then said: “Eat together and mention the Name of Allah over your food. It will be blessed for you.”

[Abu Dawud].

I personally reserve my weekends to break my fast with my friends and loved ones. Eating together is a tradition back in the days of our Rasul (ﷺ) and it’s fun to get together and eat. Eat slowly and enjoy the company. If you like something sweet, like a bowl of ice cream then go for it. Be conscious and know you’ve made that decision that you want to eat that ice cream, and don’t simply eat it because you’re forced to. Balance and moderation is healthy for you.

So go ahead, have some churros from the bazaar and make it worth it.

Sharpen Your Kitchen Skills With Simple Healthy Meals

While you’re practicing eating at home more, why not learn how to cook simple healthy meals? It took me a couple of experiments in the kitchen before I got a few things right and I believe you can do the same too. I’ve included two really simple dishes you can try out this fasting month, tweaked a couple of ingredients to make it healthier and best of all? It’s super delicious. Give it a go!

1. Healthy Mee Goreng Basah

Makes 3 in 15 mins

Here’s what you need:

• 1 medium red onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 large tomato, chopped
• 1-2 tbsp dried chillies, blended (or chilli paste)
• 300g chicken breast, sliced
• 1 lemongrass, halved
• 1 bunch of any Chinese leafy green vegetables
• Red, yellow and green capsicum, 1 each
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp Himalayan Rock Sea Salt
• 300g yellow noodles, dipped in hot water and drained

Heat a wok on medium high with olive oil. Toss in onion, lemongrass and garlic and stir-fry till fragrant. Toss in chicken breast and stir-fry for 5-6 mins. Add in chilli paste, tomato and sea salt and stir-fry till fragrant. Cover for 2-3 mins. Toss in noodles, give it a brief stir and then add in all the veggies. Stir fry for a min or two — you don’t want to overcook the veggies and remove from heat. Serve hot!

2. Mongolian Beef Stir-fry

Serves 4 in 15 mins (plus 30 mins for storage)

Here’s what you need:

• 400g lean beef, cut in small strips
• 2 stalks leeks, sliced
• 1/2 red capsicum
• 1/2 yellow capsicum
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp crushed garlic

Marinade

• 1 tsp potato starch
• 1 tsp liquid aminos
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 tsp black rice vinegar

Sauce

• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 2 tbsp liquid aminos
• 1/2 tsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp white pepper powder
• 1/4 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp honey

Begin by preparing leeks and capsicum and set it aside. Marinate the beef slices with the marinade seasonings and store it in the fridge for 30 mins. Heat a non-stick skillet with oil and stir fry marinated beef until they are half-done. Remove from skillet and set aside. Using the same skillet, heat up another 1 tbsp of oil and saute the garlic until golden brown. Add the beef back into the wok, and add in all the sauce ingredients. Continue to stir fry until the beef are almost done. Finally add in leeks and capsicum, give it a few stirs and remove from heat. Serve with brown or basmati rice.

One last note…

If you want more recipes and advice, download my free Healthy Melayu Meal Plan! I’ve put this together for us living in Asia because, unlike living in other countries, Ramadan is an exceptionally different experience. And you can trust me because I’ve spent the last 10 years fasting in Sydney, Australia. The temptation to super awesome bazaar food is close to none there. The closest unhealthy thing I can get that is tempting is Camel Burger out in Lakemba. Yumz.

There are also 5 more recipes you can try out to sharpen your skills in the kitchen. Win. Click here to download the Healthy Melayu Meal Plan for Ramadan!

What’s great about smoothies for suhoor is the simple process and ingredients that you might already have lying around in your kitchen. It’s the perfect healthy and filling way start to your day when fasting in Ramadhan.

Credit: giphy

These recipes packs a punch with nutritional ingredients that are not only rich in energy but also includes your daily dose of fibre, vitamins and minerals!

Essentials in smoothie-making

Credit: giphy

It’s always best if you have ripe bananas. Peel, chop them chunky and keep them in a container or zip-lock bag and stash it in the freezer for your convenient use any time. What it does is give a creamy, ice-cream like smoothie texture. But of course, you can always opt for fresh bananas too. Just add ½ cup of ice for every 2 bananas in use.

When choosing your smoothie ingredients, consider about what might help fill you up throughout the day while fasting.

1. Mango Matcha Smoothie

Matcha green tea is great at boosting metabolism rate and burning calories. It is rich in fiber, chlorophyll, vitamin C, chromium, zinc and magnesium. It also helps in reducing cholesterol and blood sugar levels. All the more reason to try out this recipe during fasting month!

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Feeds: 2 pax
Ingredients:

• 400g ripe and sweet mango flesh (frozen or fresh), chopped
• 2 tbsp Matcha powder, mix with 2 tbsp hot water
• ¾ cup of milk
• 1 banana, chopped
• 2 tbsp honey

Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients above in a blender and blitz till smooth.
2. Serve in tall glasses and sprinkle with more Matcha powder.

Hope this recipe helps in improving your easy and healthy lifestyle!

2. All-fruit Bubblegum Smoothie

The name ‘bubblegum’ comes from the bright pink colour it gives. Not only that, the tropical flavour it has echoes a childhood-favourite bubblegum. Pink dragonfruits provide antioxidants for the body. It also helps delay ageing skin cells. Who knew that it also helps during coughs and asthma attacks!

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Feeds: 2 pax
Ingredients:

• 2 bananas, chopped
• 1 orange, peeled and sliced
• 300g pink Dragonfruit
• ½ cup of milk

Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients above in a blender and blitz till smooth.
2. Pour into tall glasses and it’s ready to serve.

No guilt feelings screaming ‘I WANT CANDY’ after this smoothie!

3. Chocolate and Vanilla Cookie Smoothie

Take your smoothie to the next level by making it into a fun dessert! Use any chocolate chip, biscotti or butter cookies you have.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Feeds: 2 pax
Ingredients:

• 2 bananas, chopped
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup chocolate milk
• 2 pcs vanilla cookie/shortbread/biscotti
• 2 pcs chocolate cookie/shortbread/biscotti
• a tiny dash of vanilla essence

Instructions:

1. The chocolate needs to be made separate from the vanilla. Start with blitzing 1 banana, milk, vanilla cookies and vanilla essence. Pour in two serving glasses.
2. Clean the blender and blitz the second batch by repeating the same process with chocolate milk and chocolate cookies.
3. Pour on top of the first vanilla smoothie made prior. Top with some cookie crumbs and it’s ready to serve.

The crunchiness adds texture to the smoothie and the flavour mirrors familiar desserts. Perfect for a healthier option!

5. Triple Power Smoothie

Impress your family or guests with a colourful and nourishing glass of this triple fruit smoothie. Mangoes help in improving eyesight, alkalizing the body as a whole and helps fight heat stroke. Perfect for Ramadhan!

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Feeds: 3 pax
Ingredients:

• 3 bananas, chopped
• ¾ cup milk
• 200g mango flesh (frozen or fresh), chopped
• 200g pink Dragonfruit, chopped
• 1 tbsp Matcha powder, mix with 1 tbsp hot water

Instructions:

1. You will need to make each mango, matcha and pink dragonfruit smoothie separately. Start with blitzing 1 banana, ¼ cup milk, and mango. Pour in three serving glasses.
2. Clean the blender and blitz the second batch by repeating the same process with 1 banana, matcha mix and ¼ cup milk.
3. Pour on top of the first mango smoothie made prior.
4. Lastly, clean the blender and blitz the third batch by repeating the same process with 1 banana, dragonfruit and ¼ cup milk.
5. Pour on top of the matcha smoothie and it’s ready to serve.

This recipe is great fun when having kids in the kitchen. It sure seems like a lot of work but it will be worth the try!

5. Indonesian Alpokat Smoothie

Avocados are high in good fat, oleic acid – which helps reduce inflammation and also shows beneficial effects on genes associated to cancer. Amazingly, avocados highly affects the increase in nutrient value of other plant foods that we consume. It helps in absorbing nutrients and minerals in other vegetables or fruits to our body.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Feeds: 2 pax
Ingredients:

• 2 bananas, chopped
• 100g ripe avocado, chopped
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 tbsp condensed milk
• 2 tbsp chocolate sauce (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients list above except for the chocolate sauce. Blitz in a blender until smooth.
2. Decorate two serving glasses with chocolate sauce before pouring in the smoothie mix. Ready to serve.

A little bit of avocado gives a lot of smooth and thick texture like how an ice cream would have. Don’t go overboard or you’ll end up with bright green gunk getting stuck in your fat straw

6. The Elvis Smoothie

Mimicking the American breakfast classic with peanut butter definitely kicks in the energy throughout your fasting day. Opt for other nut butters if you want such as almond butter, cashew butter or better yet pistachio butter!

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Feeds: 2 pax
Ingredients:

• 2 bananas, chopped
• 3 tbsp chunky/smooth peanut butter
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tbsp chopped almonds
• A pinch of cinnamon powder

Instructions:

1. Mix all the ingredients list above except for almonds, and blitz in a blender until smooth.
2. Pour smoothie mix in two serving glasses. Top with almonds and it’s ready to serve.

Nuts are rich in protein, Omega 3 fatty acids, fibre and Vitamin E which benefits the skin. Different nuts contain different levels of nutrients. Choose your favourite one for this recipe!

Essentials in making overnight oats

Rolled oats give a coarser texture compared to processed oats which will easily expand and become mush the morning after. The oats will get soft even after 30 minutes of mixing, but for better and tastier oats, chill it for at least 5 hours or till the next morning.

Don’t own any tiny mason jars? No problem! Mix it in a cereal bowl/mixing bowl and wrap with cling-film to refrigerate. Scoop it out into individual bowls the next day to share with your family for a quick breakfast.

7. Chocolate Overnight Oats

Who wouldn’t enjoy chocolate for breakfast? Top these oats with fresh cut fruits and some nuts for added flavour and texture.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 3 – 8 hours
Feeds: 1  pax
Ingredients:

• 1 banana, chopped
• A handful of fresh strawberries, chopped
• ¾ cup chocolate milk
• ½ cup rolled oats
• A tiny pinch of salt

Ingredients:

1. Mix all the ingredients list above except for the fruits. Store with a lid that’s air-tight in the refrigerator.
2. Top the fruit on top of the overnight oats. Ready to serve.

Oats are complex carbs which transits slowly into energy. Some benefits of using cacao or chocolate is that it creates masses of energy and fights fatigue. Be sure to try out this energy-punched recipe for Suhoor!

8. French Vanilla & Cinnamon Overnight Oats

Vanilla is a spice condiment that contains tiny traces of minerals. It helps control heart rate, blood pressure, nervous system function and regulates your body’s metabolism rate. Cinnamon on the other hand has multiple benefits, helping to combat many diseases and illnesses which includes osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, salmonella, tooth decay, gum disease, sore throat, cough and flu!

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 3 – 8 hours
Feeds: 1  pax
Ingredients:

• 100g pecans, toasted and chopped
• A handful of fresh mixed berries, chopped
• ¾ cup milk
• ½ cup rolled oats
• A pinch of cinnamon powder
• ¼ tsp French vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp honey/maple syrup

Ingredients:

1. Mix all the ingredients above except for the fruits and nuts. Store with a lid that’s air-tight in the refrigerator.
2. Top the fruit and nuts on top of the overnight oats. Ready to serve.

Going back to simple flavours never gets old. Make it appetizing by switching up the fruits and nuts selection.

Try out these simple and nutritious recipes to keep your fasting month full of health and wealth, physically and spiritually.  It’s always best when sharing food with friends and family. Why not share these recipes with them!