photo: Fatpapas, a halal certified restaurant which includes chicken burgers, chicken kebab and turkey bacon in its menu
Dining out with Muslim friends and colleagues has become much easier now than before as more and more local restaurants and cafes are obtaining halal certification. Singapore’s halal food market is turning out to be more lucrative than expected. For example, Fatboy burger chain chose to create a separate halal certified eatery named Fatpapas in early 20171. The venture proved extremely popular resulting in the expansion to four Fatpapas outlets island wide.
According to the 2015 General Household Survey, Muslims account for about 14% of Singapore’s population aged above 152. That translates into an additional 650,000 potential customers for halal certified eateries. Halal certified food establishments also stand to benefit from Singapore’s growing halal travel market.
To obtain halal certification, the restaurant will have to forgo pork and alcohol, and ensure that any meat served in their restaurant be prepared as prescribed by Muslim law. Halal certification may not be suitable for certain establishments such as pubs or eateries known for its pork dishes.
Halal certified dining is no longer confined to Malay cuisine in Singapore. Muslims can now enjoy traditional halal certified Japanese charcoal grilled fare at Hararu Izakaya. While alcohol is prohibited, customers can order a mocktail or two to complement their yakitori and donburi rice bowls. For halal Thai food, one can head to the Blue Jasmine at Park Hotel Farrer Park, or sample Sichuan cuisine at Le Fuse and relish traditional Swedish cuisine at Bistro Fika.
photo: Fika Restuarant offering halal-certified Swedish cuisine
- Fatboy’s Burger Bar Opens First Halal Shop In Bugis (Feb 2017)
- General Household Survey 2015 (March 2016) by Department of Statistics Singapore