Gyeongju to Offer Halal Cuisine During The APEC Summit

As Gyeongju gears up to host the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit from 27 Oct to 1 Nov, the historic South Korean city is making thoughtful moves to ensure a warm welcome for all — including its Muslim guests.

In an exciting update for Muslim travellers and delegates attending the summit, city officials have announced that a halal restaurant will operate within the Bomun Tourism Complex throughout the weeklong event. The restaurant, named Hi Asia, will open a special Gyeongju branch to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets that strictly follow halal standards.

For those unfamiliar, halal refers to food prepared according to Islamic dietary laws, which govern everything from how meat is slaughtered to how ingredients are processed and cooked. Ensuring halal food options isn’t just about dietary compliance — it’s a gesture of respect and inclusivity that allows Muslim guests to dine with ease and confidence.

This initiative reflects Gyeongju’s growing awareness of its global audience and its effort to become a more Muslim-friendly destination. As the city welcomes international delegates from around the world, providing halal-certified meals ensures that Muslim visitors won’t have to worry about food restrictions while enjoying Korea’s famous hospitality.

Gyeongju Mayor Joo Nak-young shared that the city is making “thorough preparations to make sure delegates and visitors from various cultural backgrounds can enjoy their meals comfortably.”

For Muslim travellers planning to visit Gyeongju — whether during the APEC Summit or afterwards — this development is a promising sign. The presence of halal-certified restaurants like Hi Asia shows a growing commitment in South Korea to cater to diverse travellers’ needs, especially as the country continues to attract more Muslim tourists from Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Middle East.

So, whether you’re in town for the summit or simply exploring Gyeongju’s ancient wonders like Bulguksa Temple or the royal tombs at Tumuli Park, you’ll soon have more halal dining options to look forward to — proof that inclusivity is very much on the menu.