Taiwan is an increasingly Muslim-friendly destination, offering halal food, mosques, and welcoming locals. While Muslims are a minority, the government and businesses have made efforts to accommodate Muslim travelers and residents.
Hereβs what you need to know about Muslim life in Taiwan, from halal food to prayer facilities.
1. Muslim Population in Taiwan π
- Taiwan has around 300,000 Muslims, including Taiwanese Muslims (mostly Hui people) and foreign workers from Indonesia, Malaysia, and other countries.
- Islam was first introduced in Taiwan by Chinese Muslim soldiers who came with the Kuomintang (KMT) government in 1949.
- The Muslim community is small but growing, with strong government support for Islamic-friendly services.
2. Halal Food in Taiwan ππ
Taiwan has more than 300 halal-certified restaurants, and many night markets and hotels now offer halal-friendly options.
Where to Find Halal Food?
βοΈ Taipei:
- Changβs Beef Noodle Shop β Famous for halal beef noodle soup.
- Halal Chinese Beef Noodle (ζΈ ηδΈεηθιΊ΅ι£ι€¨) β Authentic Taiwanese flavors.
- Bismillah Halal Restaurant β A great Indian-Pakistani restaurant.
βοΈ Kaohsiung:
- Jia Yi Wan β Popular for halal Taiwanese street food.
- Halal Yellow Beef Soup (ι»ηζΈ ηηθ麡逨) β Local-style beef soup.
βοΈ Night Markets with Halal Options:
- Ningxia Night Market (Taipei)
- Liuhe Night Market (Kaohsiung)
π‘ Tip: Look for the βHalalβ logo or Muslim-friendly certification from the Taiwan Halal Integrity Development Association.
3. Mosques & Prayer Rooms in Taiwan π
Taiwan has 11 mosques, with the largest and most well-known being the Taipei Grand Mosque.
Main Mosques in Taiwan:
π Taipei Grand Mosque β The biggest and oldest mosque, built in 1947.
π Kaohsiung Mosque β Serves the large Muslim community in southern Taiwan.
π Taichung Mosque β A key prayer site in central Taiwan.
π Tainan Mosque β A historic mosque in southern Taiwan.
βοΈ Prayer Rooms at Public Places:
- Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport β Dedicated prayer rooms for Muslims.
- Taipei 101 & Taoyuan High-Speed Rail Station β Offer Muslim-friendly prayer spaces.
4. Muslim-Friendly Hotels & Facilities π¨
Many hotels in Taiwan now offer Muslim-friendly amenities, such as halal food, prayer mats, and qibla direction signs in rooms.
Muslim-Friendly Hotels:
βοΈ Evergreen Laurel Hotel (Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung)
βοΈ Silks Place Tainan
βοΈ Howard Plaza Hotel (Taipei & Kaohsiung)
π‘ Tip: Use platforms like HalalTrip or CrescentRating to find halal-friendly hotels.
5. Is Taiwan Muslim-Friendly? β
βοΈ Yes! Taiwan is safe, welcoming, and accommodating for Muslim travelers.
βοΈ Halal food, prayer spaces, and friendly locals make it a great destination.
βοΈ Public facilities and hotels are improving to cater to Muslim visitors.
π‘ Overall, Taiwan is a fantastic destination for Muslim travelers, with an open-minded and inclusive atmosphere.