Islam Food Since 1950 — Restaurant in Kowloon

Caution: This is likely not a Halal restaurant. As mentioned by others, the owners have probably changed.

Staff: All the staff are rude local Chinese Aunties who don't understand a single word of English. The kitchen staff, the cleaning staff and even the Chefs are all local Cantonese people. I couldn't find a single staff who is Muslim to confirm.

Understand the history of this restaurant, but now it seems the owners have changed. If the owners, staff, chef cannot understand a word of English or Arabic, how are they expected to prepare Halal food ?

In order to procure Halal meat, one has to be able to at least read the halal logo written in either English or Arabic. If the folks here cannot understand that, what is the guarantee that they are procuring halal meat ?

How about food preparation? Are they aware or knowledgeable to understand the ingredients that should not be put in food to ensure it is halal ?

Customers:

About 50% of the customers are tourists from Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan and India. The rest 50% of customers are local Chinese.

If the restaurant is serious about customers who are not Cantonese, then why we don't see a single staff who can speak basic minimal English for International customers ?

The attitude of the staff, those at the cashier, and everywhere is, they don't care about international customers.

I asked one question about the menu item, she started screaming in Cantonese.

The remaining 50% of customers are local Cantonese who of course don't care about the meat being halal or not. They are probably more interested in the curry and genuinely fond of the food (Which has many Pakistani/Indian/Malaysian dishes) and there is nothing wrong with that.

That brings to the most important question. Is the meat served at this restaurant Halal ?

The menu says Pork is not allowed in the restaurant. Pork not allowed does not automatically translate the chicken, mutton meat as Halal ?

It is entirely plausible that they think as long as Pork is not served, that equals to halal restaurant which is not the case.

There is non halal meat available in the market as well.

The owners are probably happy to see International Muslim customers who will just point the item on the menu and tell what they want. Anything else is not their problem.

They probably retained the brand name and physical space. As soon as you enter, you see a lot of Arabic Calligraphy which is from previous owners. Please don't get mislead by it.

We have already seen many popular YouTubers doing fake things for views and earn money.

I am 100% sure the owners will not read this review because of course they don't understand English and will continue to do what they have been doing.

It's our duty to exercise caution on matters we have doubt. Sincerely recommend the same to all Muslim customers to...

Finding halal chinese food these days has been (fortunately) getting more common. However, this restaurant has been serving authentic halal chinese food since 1950 - that's a statement not many others can say boldly. And even winning awards in a city like Hong Kong where halal restaurants are a (pretty big) minority? More outstanding. Fortunately, this restaurant lived up to the hype and expectations that built up within me as I awaited the day I could finally come here.

Beef dumplings were big, juicy and balanced well when dipped in sauce. Beef curry fried rice was flavourful with a kick of spice and strong in seasoning - and the beef portion in the rice was definitely not stingy. Lamb brisket was so soft and delicate, it literally fell off the bone as I tried to dip it in the chilli soy sauce they gave (it pairs very well) - you could eat it with the fried rice as well if you'd like, I think it goes well. However, the star of the show was by far the pan fried beef bun as expected. It was very juicy (enough juices inside to make up a soup even), well seasoned, tender, and the pastry kept its crisp even when softened by the soup. It can be very oily for some, but it definitely is packed with flavour and bursts in your mouth upon biting.

Overall, Islam Food's service is a bit complex - their staff speak minimal (some even none at all) in terms of English but no issue if you can find your ways around. You might have to share tables with others if it's peak period (so if you really value personal space amd privacy, take note). However, the food makes it all worth it, and it does help that the staff's sense of urgency and efficiency ensures that queues are always moving and food comes pretty fast. I feel that every muslim (even many non-muslims come here actually) who comes to HK should not leave without trying this place. Will...

I think maybe relationships have a finite lifespan. Perhaps with him, 7 years was the maximum we could be together. Any longer, the ending could have been less than amicable.

During our 7 years together, we traveled to see each other every 4 months (staggered) so that we end up seeing each other every 2. I always end up traveling to Hong Kong in December because I then have a break from teaching and it was my birthday month. Hong Kong was a place to take a breather and he was my birthday present.

In Hong Kong, this was my favorite restaurant. Perhaps because the winter seduced the Singapore summer heat out of me making the piping hot dishes served here extra-delicious as it travels down my gut. Waking up the taste buds in my mouth and spreading warmth along the way.

Also, because this place is super cramped (before they opened another branch a few shops down) we have to share the table with other strangers, him and I we were squished quite closely together. I would put food in his bowl and vice versa.

And that was my birthday dinner. It was simple. But I enjoyed every minute of it.

I loved the beef curry here. It was not too hot and was supported by a strong soup stock and not too sweet. Some Malay curries tend to be too sweet and Indian curries then to be too thin but this one had character in it. The meat was tender, soaked to currilicious perfection.

The beef goulash was crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside. The skin was strong enough to hold the meat yet thin enough to not to be too overwhelming. If I ever had cancer (choy!) this would definitely be my elixir.

I have not been back to Hong Kong since we broke up. I dare not imagine stepping back into this restaurant, this little haven without him. Because deep inside, I know it will never be the same again. Even if I ordered the same beef curry and...