What I Learned About Hong Kong While Travelling as a Muslim

When I first landed in Hong Kong, I thought I knew what to expect. Skyscrapers, neon lights, bustling shopping streets, and dim sum at every corner—that’s the picture most of us carry. But as a Muslim traveller, I wasn’t sure how much of Hong Kong would actually feel accessible to me. Would I find Halal food easily? Would there be prayer spaces in between all the sightseeing?

To my surprise, this trip showed me a whole different side of Hong Kong—one that is not only modern and vibrant but also welcoming and thoughtfully Muslim-friendly. From luxurious hotels with Halal-certified dining to penguin encounters at a theme park with prayer rooms, Hong Kong turned out to be a destination that respects both adventure and faith. And surprisingly, I also felt more appreciative and closer to Allah throughout my five-day journey here—a feeling I’ll share more about in this article.

Also read: Summer in Hong Kong: Festivals, Theme Parks & Muslim-Friendly Fun Await!

Staying at The Mira Hong Kong: Luxury meets faith

Image credit: The Mira Hotel | Official Website

My journey started with a check-in at The Mira Hong Kong, a stylish hotel right in the heart of Kowloon. The Mira feels chic and modern, yet warm and approachable. What stood out most was how the hotel genuinely caters to Muslim guests. I never expected a big luxury hotel like The Mira to prepare special rooms for Muslim visitors.

They even have the Qibla direction marked, which is so helpful for daily prayers. To my surprise, they also provided a set of the Qur’an and a prayer mat neatly packed in a beautiful prayer bag.

These thoughtful touches enriched my spiritual journey in Hong Kong, reminding me that no matter where we are, we should always remember Allah. As the Qur’an says:

“Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance” (Surah Taha 20:14).

One highlight was dining at Cuisine Cuisine, a Halal-certified restaurant within the hotel itself. The menu featured classics like dim sum and roasted meats crafted in Halal style, as well as delicate Cantonese soups and seafood dishes.

As a Muslim traveller, it felt empowering to sit down in such an elegant setting and know every dish had been prepared with my needs in mind. The flavours were rich yet balanced, the dim sum soft and fragrant, and the seafood fresh with a subtle wok hei aroma—all reminding me that Halal dining can be just as refined and authentic in the heart of Hong Kong. It was comforting to enjoy these dishes without ever having to second-guess whether they were Halal.

During my chat with Mr Alexander Wassermann, the Head of Hotels and Serviced Apartments, he emphasised how The Mira sees Muslim travellers as an important part of their hospitality journey. It wasn’t just about ticking boxes for certification—it was about creating an experience where Muslim guests feel comfortable, seen, and welcomed. And honestly, that was exactly how I felt.

Attractions through a Muslim traveller’s lens

Hong Kong is packed with attractions, but what surprised me was how many of them are family-friendly and Muslim-friendly at the same time.

Ocean Park Adventure

At Ocean Park, I expected a typical theme park outing. What I didn’t expect was not one but three prayer rooms, each complete with its own ablution area. This thoughtful provision made it so convenient for Muslims to fulfil our responsibility to pray, even while travelling. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The earth has been made for me a place of prostration and a means of purification, so wherever a man of my Ummah may be when the time for prayer comes, let him pray” (Hadith, Sahih al-Bukhari).

After having some fun with the thrilling rides and games, Muslim visitors can head to Clown Corner for Halal selections of food and drinks. The prices are reasonable, and the variety is impressive. Plus, you can easily spot the Halal sign right on their menu board, which gives peace of mind.

Ocean Park also offered another Halal-certified restaurant called Panda Café, located near the panda exhibits. Here, Muslim visitors can enjoy proper meals ranging from rice dishes to noodle bowls, all prepared in a Halal-certified kitchen. It was reassuring to know that even in a bustling theme park, I could sit down for a hearty, faith-friendly meal without having to cut my visit short or stress about food and prayer.

No visit to Ocean Park is complete without seeing their twin giant pandas, Jia Jia and De De. Since it was my first time ever seeing pandas, I was so excited to meet those fluffy creatures! They looked almost unreal, like my plush toys—until they moved. OMG, even cuter in real life! I had so much fun watching their adorable behaviour that I almost lost track of time—how I wished I could bring them home! Well, in the end, I did bring home something: their cute keychains as souvenirs.

I also learned that pandas are very sensitive to noise, so visitors are encouraged to keep quiet so the animals don’t get stressed. I was lucky that day, too, because I managed to spot the shy red panda, also known as the fire fox. It’s said to be a sign of good luck to see one since they often hide away, and I did—yay! It felt heavy to leave the panda house, but my next Muslim-friendly stop was the penguin exhibit.

Here I had the chance to interview the penguin caretaker and discovered fun, quirky facts about these charming birds. One of the cutest? Penguins love bubbles and can spend ages teasing and playing with them!

Ocean Park is home to three types of penguins: the majestic king penguin, easily recognised by the yellow markings on its body; the southern rockhopper penguin, famous for its long yellow eyebrow-like feathers; and the gentoo penguin, known as the fastest underwater swimmer among all penguin species. For Muslim families, this mix of wildlife encounters and convenient facilities makes Ocean Park a full day of entertainment without compromise.

Jamia Mosque Visit

In contrast to the buzzing theme park, stepping into the Jamia Mosque was grounding. As Hong Kong’s oldest mosque, located in Central Hong Kong, it carries the stories of the city’s long-standing Muslim community. I even found a Qur’an written in Chinese characters, which fascinated me.

It was a reminder that Islam is not limited to the Arab world, but is a universal faith open to anyone willing to learn and embrace its beauty. Despite being the oldest mosque in Hong Kong, it still holds a unique charm and spiritual serenity. Meeting Chief Imam Muhammad Arshad gave me a deeper appreciation of how Islam has quietly but firmly shaped part of Hong Kong’s identity, even as a minority faith.

During our conversation, I learned new insights about the diverse Muslim community here. The Muslims in Hong Kong are made up of Indonesians, Pakistanis, Chinese Hui people, Bangladeshis, Indian Muslims, Malaysians, Middle Easterners, and Africans—all contributing to the fabric of this vibrant ummah.

The Chief Imam also explained the important differences between what it means when food is labelled Halal-certified, Muslim-friendly, or simply “no pork, no lard.” He reminded me that in Islamic terms, only true Halal-certified food is permissible, while the others can be misleading.

Muslim-friendly may mean the restaurant has some options for Muslims, but without formal certification. At the same time, “no pork, no lard” only assures the absence of those ingredients, not that the meat or preparation process follows Halal requirements. As the Prophet ﷺ said: “O people, Allah is pure and He accepts only that which is pure” (Hadith, Sahih Muslim), teaching us that Muslims must strive to eat only Halal and wholesome food. It was a moment of spiritual reflection, right in the middle of a city known for its speed and sparkle.

Cruises, Peaks, and Calm Moments

As a first-time Muslim visitor, riding the Peak Tram up the steep hillside was both thrilling and surreal. The old funicular creaked its way upward, offering glimpses of Hong Kong’s skyline unfolding below. Reaching Sky Terrace 428, the city’s highest viewing platform, I was awestruck by the panoramic view. Skyscrapers, harbour, and mountains all in one breathtaking frame. It was a moment where I paused to remember Allah’s creation, grateful to experience such beauty while still feeling accommodated as a Muslim traveller.

Later that evening, I stepped aboard the traditional red-sailed Aqua Luna cruise. As the boat glided across Victoria Harbour, the city lit up in a dazzling display of colours. The cool breeze, the gentle sway of the water, and the rhythmic glow of the skyline felt like a serene contrast to the busy streets I had explored earlier. For me, this was not just sightseeing as it was a reminder that Hong Kong is more than glass towers; it’s a city layered with culture, nature, and heritage waiting to be uncovered.

Hong Kong Disneyland

On our last day in Hong Kong, we spent it at Hong Kong Disneyland, and honestly, it felt like the perfect finale to my trip. We had brunch at Crystal Lotus (at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel), where the dishes were designed with Disney characters, so adorable that I almost didn’t want to eat them! My personal favourite was the Winnie the Pooh mango sago, light and refreshing, perfect after days of hearty meals. Starting the day with something so playful reminded me of how Disney blends nostalgia with creativity.

Next, we caught the Friendtastic Parade, and as someone who grew up with Disney movies, it was a heartwarming throwback that filled me with childlike joy. After that, we stopped by the Quiet Room (prayer room) for Zohor prayers, definitely a thoughtful facility that allowed me to stay connected to my faith even in the middle of the fun. Energised again, we hopped on a few rides: the Ant-Man and the Wasp nano battle, the Iron Man Experience 5D ride, the thrilling Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, and the mysterious Mystic Manor. Each ride brought its own thrill, and I couldn’t stop smiling.

Later in the day, I tried their newly opened Halal selections at Wayfinders’ Table, which I’ll share more about in the foodie section below. And to wrap up the night, we watched the 20th anniversary light show. The dazzling 30-minute performance lit up the castle and sky with fireworks, music, and projections that felt like pure magic, leaving me in awe and closing my Hong Kong journey on the most unforgettable note.

A Halal foodie’s paradise

If you’re like me, travel memories often come alive through food. Hong Kong didn’t disappoint—there was something new and Halal-certified waiting at every corner, and as a Muslim traveller, this made my journey feel both comforting and exciting. Each meal was not just about satisfying hunger, but also about celebrating the blessing of being able to eat what is Halal and wholesome, even in a city many would not immediately think of as Muslim-friendly.

Here are a few restaurants that I went to in Hong Kong. Firstly, we had dinner at Tagline, which offered a fresh, modern take on Halal dining, complete with official Halal certification that gave me total confidence as a Muslim traveller. The ambience was chic yet welcoming, and I remember enjoying their grilled meats and creative fusion dishes that felt distinctly Hong Kong while still comforting, like a taste of home.

Some of their most popular dishes among Muslim diners included the sizzling wagyu platters, flavour-packed biryani bowls, and their signature fusion pastas, all portioned generously and prepared with care. Knowing that the restaurant takes Halal certification seriously made each bite even more satisfying.

Next, as we strolled through the hectic Central Hong Kong, we stopped by the BKK Thai Street Food at PMQ for lunch. We sampled quite a few of their menus, including wagyu, pad see ew, and pad thai with prawns. The portions were generous, easily enough to share, and each dish was cooked with a vibrant authenticity that carried the bold Thai punch.

The wagyu was tender and juicy, the pad see ew had that perfect smoky wok hei flavour, and the pad thai with prawns was tangy, savoury, and comforting all at once. The fact that everything was Halal made it even more enjoyable as a Muslim traveller; it felt liberating to explore trendy Central and still be able to dine with complete peace of mind.

On Lamma Island, I had Halal-friendly seafood at the one and only restaurant in Lamma Island that serves Halal foods, which is Lamma Rainbow Seafood, complete with stunning sea views. The seafood was especially fresh, plump, and juicy. It was hands down one of the best seafood meals I’ve ever had in my entire life.

They served us a feast of peppered conch in chicken broth, stir-fried spicy crab, stir-fried clams with basil, black pepper Angus beef tenderloin, rainbow fish, steamed shrimp with garlic, salt-and-pepper squid, and so much more. Sitting by the water, indulging in these flavours, I felt immense gratitude. It reminded me of the Qur’anic verse: “It is He who subjected the sea for you so that you may eat from it tender meat and extract from it ornaments which you wear” (Surah An-Nahl 16:14). Happy tummy, happy me!

Even at theme parks like Disneyland and Ocean Park, I found Halal-certified options that kept me going through long days of fun. At Disneyland Hong Kong, I was especially excited to try the newly launched Halal menu at Wayfinders’ Table, a Moana-inspired fast service restaurant. It’s not fast food, but rather freshly prepared meals served quickly to guests.

The setting itself draws from Moana’s adventurous spirit of voyaging across the seas, and stepping inside felt like entering her vibrant world. Their Halal menu offered quite a lot of variety—I tried the laksa (Chum Chum), and it honestly tasted like home. They even had coconut banana fritters, one of my personal favourites.

My friend ordered a kids’ meal with a marshmallow cookie, a small pineapple jam pizza, and some vegetables. All in all, it was worth the try and showed how even in a theme park, Halal dining can be both delicious and thoughtfully prepared. Being able to pause, pray, and then enjoy these meals with ease made the experience truly stress-free.

Check out my full review of Wayfinders’ Table here

At each stop, I never felt like I had to “settle” or miss out; everything was intentional, satisfying, and respectful of my dietary needs. More importantly, it reminded me that Islam allows us to enjoy the best of this world as long as it is Halal, turning each dining experience into both a pleasure and an act of faith.

What this trip taught me about Muslim-friendly Hong Kong

Before this trip, I thought Hong Kong might only be a quick stopover destination for Muslim travellers. But what I learned is that Hong Kong has invested time and effort into becoming an inclusive, Muslim-friendly city. Prayer spaces were easy to find. Halal-certified restaurants weren’t just afterthoughts; yet they were integrated into luxury hotels, theme parks, and trendy food hubs. The local Muslim community was welcoming and eager to share their heritage.

Hong Kong surprised me in the best way possible. It’s a city that’s constantly evolving, but also one that respects the needs of its diverse visitors. And for Muslim travellers, it’s a destination where you can explore freely without ever compromising your faith. So if you’ve been overlooking Hong Kong for your next Halal-friendly adventure, maybe it’s time to put it back on your list.

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Image credit and photo courtesy of Aimi Zulkiflee and Hong Kong Tourism Board