[Seoul] New York City’s iconic food cart chain The Halal Guys has opened in South Korea, at Itaewon – probably Seoul’s most culturally diverse district. Yeah! (Look out for Shake Shack in Seoul too.)
I first tried The Halal Guys The Halal Guys on a corner of NYC’s 53rd Street and Sixth Avenue, and was blown away by the platter with rice, pita bread, meat and that ‘magical’ sauce.
Happy that it has arrived somewhat closer to home.
The Halal Guys had humble beginnings in 1990, serving platters of chicken and gyro over rice, and became super popular with Muslim cab drivers looking for a halal food meal then.
26 years later, they moved out of the Big Apple to Seoul. The other good news, they are opened until 10pm on weekdays, and till 3am during weekends.
Located on the 2nd floor of 187 Itaewon-ro, a short walk away from Itaewon Station (Exit 2), look out for that bright yellow colour splashed across this brick-building.
Designed like a fast-concept restaurant, you order via a self-service counter, indicate your preference to the service staff, and pay. All efficient and swift.
On its menu includes Sandwich (8,900 won, SGD$10.70), Platters in sizes of small (7,900 won, SGD$9.50), regular platter (9,900 won, SGD$11.90), and New York sized (11,900 won, SGD$14.30).
Had the New York version before, and I couldn’t really finish despite sharing the meal.
For recommendations, I would suggest you go for the combo of both chicken and gyo, and both the white yogurt-based sauce and hot sauce.
Here’s the verdict: The version I had in New York was much better – the rice and meats were warmer throughout, and combination of sauces left that hot yet pleasurable effect.
Still, I liked the varied textures of orange-coloured rice contrasted with cool ice berg lettuce, plus the greens added refreshing crunch after somewhat greasier meats.
The sauces were delicious, though I wished there was more of that ‘hot-ness’ there.
The Halal Guys Seoul
187 Itaewon-ro 2nd Floor Seoul, Yongsan-gu 04350 South Korea (Itaewon Station, Line 6, Exit 2)
Opening hours: 11:00am – 11:00pm (Sun – Thurs), 11:00pm – 3:00am (Fri – Sat)
Google Maps – The Halal Guys Seoul
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Shake Shack (Seoul)
Frank’s (Seoul)
O’sulloc Tea House (Seoul)
Line Friend Store & Café (Seoul)
Bongchu Jjimdak (Seoul)
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