Shanghai offers good halal food accessibility with over 500 halal restaurants. China’s largest city has a significant Muslim population (Hui and Uyghur communities) with dedicated halal dining options. Compare with halal. Explore halal certification for more information.
Best Areas for Halal Food
Huxi Mosque Area
Shanghai’s Muslim quarter:
- Highest halal concentration
- Uyghur and Hui restaurants
- Halal butchers and shops
- Authentic community atmosphere
Pudong (Lujiazui)
Financial district:
- Hotel halal dining
- International restaurants
- Near Oriental Pearl Tower
- Business traveler options
People’s Square Area
City center:
- Some halal restaurants
- Near major attractions
- Tourist-friendly options
Old City (Yu Garden)
Historic area:
- Limited halal options
- Some Muslim restaurants
- Lanzhou noodle shops
Must-Try Halal Chinese
Lanzhou Lamian: Hand-pulled beef noodles (Hui specialty)
Uyghur Polo: Central Asian rice pilaf
Lamb Kebabs: Xinjiang-style grilled
Da Pan Ji: Big plate chicken
Hand-pulled Noodles: Various styles
Recommended Restaurants
Lanzhou noodle shops: Throughout Shanghai (look for 清真)
Uyghur restaurants: Central Asian flavors
Hui restaurants: Chinese Muslim cuisine
Hotel halal: International hotels offer options
清真 (Qīngzhēn) Signage
Learn to recognize:
- 清真: Halal in Chinese
- Green and white signs common
- Arabic script often displayed
- Crescent moon symbols
Mosques in Shanghai
Huxi Mosque: Main community mosque Xiaotaoyuan Mosque: Historic mosque Pudong Mosque: Newer facility Multiple smaller mosques throughout
Tourist Attraction Tips
The Bund: Limited halal, eat beforehand Yu Garden: Few options, Lanzhou noodle nearby Oriental Pearl Tower: Pudong has options French Concession: Limited halal
Practical Tips
- 清真 signs: Learn to recognize halal characters
- Lanzhou noodles: Reliable halal option everywhere
- Uyghur restaurants: Excellent lamb dishes
- Hotel dining: Can arrange halal meals
- Apps: Dianping shows halal (清真) filter
- Language barrier: Take photos of 清真 to show