5 affordable halal restaurants in London: The ultimate student guide

halal restaurants in London
From fried chicken to curry laksa, these are some of the best and affordable halal restaurants you can find in London. Source: Brian Ach/Getty Images North America/Getty Images/AFP

Studying abroad as a Muslim student can be tricky. You may be a minority in your new environment, with limited access to religious facilities or halal food options.

Layla Hassanali recognised this struggle — and she made it her mission to find halal restaurants in London that catered to the halal palate with different twists. Picture fried chicken, laksa, Ethiopian curry, and many more. 

Fortunately, London has been identified as the “most ethnically diverse region in England and Wales”. According to the Office for National Statistics, over 40.2% of residents identified themselves as Asian, Black, mixed or other ethnic groups. In other words, Muslim students, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to halal restaurants in London.

5 unique affordable halal restaurants in London

 

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1. Hawker’s Kitchen, King’s Cross

Hawker’s Kitchen is a Malaysian Tamil restaurant located at King’s Cross. Find this spot by looking at the queue that often runs down Caledonian Road.

If you’re a Malaysian looking to relieve an authentic experience at the “mamak,” (a popular hangout spot and eatery that focuses on food with Indian Muslim roots), this is the place to be. Hawker’s Kitchen is run by a previous chef at Roti King (another restaurant in London renowned for serving Malaysian and Singaporean food).

Order their bread (or roti in Malay) with lamb curry for 8.99 pounds. 

Halal status: All meats served are halal. No pork or alcohol.

 

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2. Normah’s, Queensway

Are you craving a good bowl of laksa to beat the cold? Look no further than Normah’s cafe. The cafe was founded by Aunt Normah, who brought her passion for good food to London. 

Meals here range from 9.59 to 14.99 pounds. If you love spicy food, try Normah’s Assam Pedas Seabass.  She cooks the whole fish with chilli paste, onion, tamarind, turmeric, ginger flower, tomato and okra. Enjoy this with steamed rice, fresh cucumber and crispy onions.

Halal status: All meats served are halal. No pork or alcohol. 

 

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3. Wingstop, Various Locations

Fried chicken as a halal food option? Yes, please. Wingstop offers great fried chicken for cheap. Choose between tenders, wings, and boneless wings that come in 10 different flavours, including lemon pepper, spicy mango habanero, and creamy garlic parmesan.

While a meal for one is slightly over 10 pounds, consider the 24-piece wing platter for two at 23.90 pounds.

Halal status: All meats served here are halal. No pork, but they serve alcohol.

 

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4. Zeret Kitchen, Camberwell

Want to try something different on a budget? Zeret Kitchen ticks all the boxes: affordable, halal, and delicious. It’s our favourite kind of halal restaurants in London.

This Ethiopian restaurant serves beef, chicken and vegan curries that you can scoop with a loaf of injera bread. Those looking to savour a bit of everything can consider the Zeret Surprise — a sharing platter that comes with seven dishes which only cost 29.99 pounds. 

Halal Status: All meats served here are halal. No pork, but they serve alcohol.

 

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5. Tongdak, New Malden

If you have been binge-watching Korean dramas and are craving some Korean fried chicken that appears in almost every episode, check out Tongdak. Raved as one of the most addictive halal restaurants in London, Tongdak — located in London’s Korea Town — offers a range of halal fried chicken dishes.

Pick from various flavours, such as original, honey butter, garlic soy, “yangnyeom” (spicy sauce), cheese and white sauce.

Hassanali recommends going for the half and half platter and a portion of “tteokbokki” (rice cake), so you can enjoy a filling meal.

Halal status: All meats served here are halal. No pork, but they serve alcohol.