Hongdae halal platter restaurant: a ₩25,800 home dinner, Halal Steaks

I really, really love eating, so

eating is one of my favorite hobbies... and "halal food" is one of the things I eat on a regular rotation, haha.

This place doesn't have a paid-review post from me, but I've actually visited several times on my own dime,

• the portion-to-price ratio is great, making it perfect for a solo meal in Hongdae,
• and especially the spicy sauce carries the whole dish — a real gem!

Since I had plans in Hongdae, I stopped by and packed some to go for a simple dinner. It was still delicious, which made it even more of a pleasant surprise!! Let me introduce it: "Halal Steaks"

Where is Halal Steaks? A 10-minute walk from Hongik University Station Exit 9

Halal Steaks sits roughly between Hongdae and Hapjeong, near Hongdae's main street. It's about a 10-minute walk from Hapjeong Station Exit 3, and also about a 10-minute walk from Hongik University Station Exit 9.

Halal Steaks is on the 2nd floor! Coming back here again was such a happy feeling.

Go up these stairs, and

you find a casual, bright-feeling space.

What is halal food? The halal certificate on the wall at Halal Steaks

Halal Steaks has a halal certificate and country-of-origin labeling posted inside. "Halal" is Arabic for "that which is permitted." Under Islamic law, or sharia, halal food refers to what Muslims are permitted to eat or use. The opposite — what's forbidden under Islamic law — is called "haram."

The key difference between halal and haram in food comes down to meat: pork and pork-derived ingredients are classic haram items, and alcohol is generally forbidden too. Consuming blood directly is also not allowed. And whether the meat was slaughtered according to Islamic law is another crucial standard for halal.

Here's the food counter and the ice machine, in case you're eating in the store~

Halal Steaks menu and kiosk ordering: two Chicken Platter Small for 25,800 won

Ordering at Halal Steaks is easily done through a kiosk. The most popular items at Halal Steaks are

• Chicken Platter Small (chicken + basmati rice + vegetables + sauce)
• Gyro Platter Small (beef/lamb gyro + basmati rice + vegetables + sauce)

These two!!

Basmati rice, falafel and gyro: what the platter terms mean

Basmati rice 🍚 A long-grain rice widely eaten in India and Pakistan. The grains are long and slender, and each grain stays separate rather than sticking together.

Falafel 🧆 A dish made from ground chickpeas or fava beans mixed with spices, shaped into balls and fried. Common across the Middle East and Mediterranean, it's crispy outside and fluffy inside — a signature Middle Eastern vegetarian dish!

Gyro 🥙 A signature rotating-meat dish of Greece and the Mediterranean. Seasoned meat is stacked in layers on a spit, slow-roasted while rotating, then thinly sliced to eat.

My order was

• Chicken Platter Small x2! (₩25,800)
• Plastic bag packaging: ₩100!

All packed up! I practically skipped home!

What's inside the takeout Chicken Platter Small, and how it tasted reheated at home

Drumroll~ open up the container and here's what's inside:

• White sauce
• Spicy sauce
• Tandoor bread
• Lettuce and chicken
• Basmati rice underneath!

The meat and rice got transferred onto a nice plate for reheating, and once heated, I topped it with lettuce — yum!

A meal that lets you get in protein and vegetables in a good way, plus a little rice on the side made it filling too! Confirmed as a great pick for lunch or dinner solo in Hongdae, and a solid Hongdae halal food takeout spot!

I'd recommend this place highly for a light date-night meal in Hongdae, or for solo dining when you want something simple, or diet-friendly. That's all for now, see you next time!