Halal in Hong Kong: Muslims cheer KFC’s move, hope more fast-food chains, restaurants will cater to community
- Choices are limited for the city’s 300,000 Muslims, as there are only 63 halal-certified restaurants
- There’s a need to raise awareness about Islamic dietary restrictions, say some in the community
It was lunchtime on Friday and the KFC restaurant just minutes from the Kowloon Mosque in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui was packed with customers relishing their fried chicken meals.
Among them was a family of four who had come all the way from Yuen Long, because this was the fast food chain’s first halal-certified outlet in Hong Kong.
“We are very excited,” said Aslam, 50, a Muslim who had brought his wife and two children, and asked to be identified by his first name only. “Mostly, we cook at home.”
The outlet began offering halal meals last week, with KFC becoming the first fast-food chain to cater to Muslims in the city.
“We are passionate about bringing more food options to Hong Kong customers. The Halal-friendly menu is available at KFC Chuang’s London Plaza store in Jordan. This new initiative echoes our support of diversity and inclusion,” said a spokeswoman from the Jardine Restaurant Group which operates KFC and Pizza Hut.
Mufti Muhammad Arshad, Hong Kong’s chief imam and Islamic spiritual leader, welcomed the move, saying: “Any international chain which provides halal food indeed gives good news and happiness to Muslims.”