Kristie Soleil
In a recent trip to Manila, I was able to explore most nooks and crannies near Pasay City to look for places to eat. Any Mediterranean, Persian, or Indian café is a haven for me, having gone through a moutabal, kebab, and shawarma phase. The great thing about Filipinos is that, despite Muslims being a minority group in their country, a lot of authentic Halal restaurants have mushroomed with their trademark cookery and spices. I found that many of these come close to preparing authentic Malaysian food. Though pricier than most Filipino eateries, quality taste and service can be expected from the following places that prepare strict Halal food:
Kabab Roll
Image Credit to www.kababroll.net
Located at the ground floor of SM Mall of Asia, Kabab Roll offers Pakistani roti wraps, basmati rice, beef and chicken kababs, and other Halal fare. For 21 to 25 Malaysian ringgits, you can get decent portions for two. The dishes are made to order with an open grill so they come out fresh and hot every time. The owner himself slaughters the animals before using their meat, so you can guarantee they conform to Islamic dietary laws.
Ghazal Restaurant
Image Credit to www.thetravellingmermaid.com
An inexpensive hole-in-the-wall frequently visited by middle easterners in Ermita Manila, Ghazal offers strict Halal Kubideh and chicken curry. For 10 to 50 Malaysian ringgits, you can try their dishes like the lamb mince, mutton curry, Arabian bread, and Biryani rice. The place can accommodate 30 persons as of the moment with 6 tables. Like any other Halal-certified eatery, Ghazal does not offer any alcoholic beverages. The owner is an Iranian gentleman who takes time to personally chat with his customers. For somewhere clean and decent, meals from this place certainly do not weigh too heavy on your food expenses.
Ababu Persian Kitchen
Image Credit to www.anotsopopularkid.com
Ababu’s Beef Kebab Meal is certainly one of my favorites! The charbroiled ground beef is well seasoned, and it comes with stir-fried rice with vegetables, sunny-side-up egg, and a pat of butter–all for roughly 12 Malaysian ringgits. Located near La Salle, students come and go frequently for quick lunches or late night runs. The only drawback is that it can get a bit smoky from all that fresh-off-the-grill goodness, so you will smell like a human barbecue when you get out, but i guess that is another Halal restaurant trademark.
Mofara’s Halal Foodhaus
Image Credit to https://en.yelp.com.ph
A quaint little eatery serving Maranao cuisine in Quiapo, Mofara’s is an open-air restaurant best for those looking for Maranao, Indonesian, and Filipino food. Chicken papar, fish curry, beef rendang—among other dishes—are very affordable here (at 12 to 17 Malaysian ringgits), rivaling prices of nearby kitchenettes. I like my food extremely spicy, and Mofara’s does not disappoint. Be prepared to gulp down a pitcher of iced cold water all by yourself! The best thing about Mofara’s? It is located near Manila’s Golden Mosque.
Despite the strict no-pork policy of Halal restaurants, one can never run out of satisfying things to eat in any of the places mentioned above. If spicy kebabs and coconut-drenched curries are your thing, these deserve a spot in your bucket list. Visit them next time you are within the vicinity, and I guarantee you’ll get your more than your money’s worth. I would not even hesitate bringing a non-Islam friend with me to these places.
