HALAL FOOD IN CHINA

Halal Food is available throughout China. In Chinese Halal food is called Qing Zhen Cai (清真菜) which mean 'pure food'.

The most common Chinese Muslim restaurant is the Lanzhou lamian ('Lanzhou pulled-noodles' 兰州拉面) kind, which can be easily found in almost every city.

The Hui (Ethnic Chinese Muslims), Bonan, Dongxiang, Salar and Uyghurs of Chine, as well as the Dungans of Central Asia and the Panthays of Burma collectively contribute to Chinese Islamic cuisine.

Muslim restaurants in China are known for making their own fresh noodles out of wheat flour, and for not including pork on their menus. Instead, you will often see lamb or beef offered. Breads and sweets, which are not traditionally Chinese food items, can also be found in Muslim eateries.

Chinese halal food appeared over 1,000 years ago during the Tang Dynasty when Islam was first introduced to China. It was recorded that Chinese Halal Food appeared as early as in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907). Chinese Halal Food became influential during the Yuan Dynasty (1279 - 1368), many Muslim soldiers were stationed in various parts of China.

In Beijing, the most famous Halal Food, Yueshengzhai was opened in 1775 by Ma Qingrui who was working in the Ministry of Rites for Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). 

Among the famous Chinese Halal Dishes are Roasted Whole lamb, Lanzhou Hand Pulled Noodles with Beef. Hand-taken lamb, Beef Noodles Soup etc.

Arabic businessmen, travelers, and missionaries traveled to China along the ancient Silk Road and settled in places like Xi'an, Kaifeng, Guangzhou, Quanzhou, Yangzhou, and Hangzhou. These Arabic people were the ancestors of today's Hui people in China. Chinese halal food developed, and more dishes were created during the Yuan Dynasty when the Hui ethnic minority was formed.

Many Muslims went to China for trade, and these Muslims began to have a great economic impact and influence to China. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Muslims in China dominated foreign trade and the import/export industry to the South and West.

HALAL IN CHINESE

The word for halal in Chinese is 清真 – QĪNG ZHĒN, and sounds like: ching jen. Say, or point to, these words and your new selfie buddy will point you in the right direction.

Signs can be in;

Chinese, 请真

Arabic, حلال

And English, Halal (tip: many pronounce it halalu)

It’s a good idea to save these on your phone so that you can refer to them if you get stuck.

Finding halal food in Muslim areas is not a tough task, it is always going to be easier. Through my experiences, finding Halal Foods in China has been much easier than in Europe. Halal food is the main cuisine if you’re in the Muslim Quarter of Xi’an, Lanzhou or in other western regions of China where there are large Muslim communities and even Muslim majority autonomous regions.

I love Chinese cuisine, I have toured 9 Districts in China, Chinese Muslims food is indeed my choice during my stay in China. 

Reference :

1. Halal Restaurants

2. China Halal Food History

3. Wikipedia - Islamic Chinese Cuisine

Posted on Blog:

2 February 2024 > 22 Rejab 1445H: 10.16 pm