Places to Visit in Korea for Muslims: Where to Pray and Eat
Here are places to visit in Korea for Muslims, from Seoul Central Mosque and the halal restaurants around it to prayer rooms at Lotte World and Nami Island!
Seoul Central Mosque
Seoul Central Mosque is in Itaewon, a short walk from Itaewon Station. Look for the two white minarets and the green Arabic lettering on the front. Everyone is welcome to visit.
The prayer halls are on the 1st and 2nd floors. The wudu area is in the basement of the new annex. There is also a women's prayer room. Follow the "Women's Prayer Room" signs.
Before you go: Please dress modestly. Revealing clothes, such as short skirts, are not allowed. If you need them, you can use long bottoms and a hijab from the changing room next to the entrance.
Please don't take photos during prayer, and ask before filming people. You don't need to book to look around on your own.
Getting there: Take Line 6 to Itaewon Station and use Exit 3. Turn right at the Itaewon Fire Station, then turn left at the T-junction in front of Bogwang Elementary School. The mosque is about 250 m further on.
Seoul Central MosqueMosque · Yongsan-guhalalmap.orgAlBaraka, next to the mosque
Right next to the mosque is AlBaraka, a halal grocery store. You can buy halal meat, poultry and fish here, along with dairy, frozen food, grains and spices. It also delivers across Korea.
If you're cooking during your stay, it's an easy stop after prayer.
AlBarakaHalal market · Yongsan-guhalalmap.orgHalal restaurants in Itaewon
Want a meal after prayer? Around the mosque, you'll find halal restaurants, a halal butcher and an Islamic bookstore. Here are a few restaurants near the mosque, each with a different kind of food.
- Jipbap Gim Seonsaeng: Korean home-style food
- Lazzat: Uzbek food
- Dubai Restaurant: Middle Eastern food
Halal details are reported by users, so please check with staff when it matters.
Lotte World Adventure
Lotte World Adventure is a theme park in Seoul. Adventure is the indoor park under a large glass dome, and Magic Island is the outdoor area on Seokchon Lake. A bridge from the 2nd floor of Adventure takes you to Magic Island.
The Muslim prayer room is indoors, on the 3rd floor of Adventure. To use it, ring the bell at the door 2 or 3 times to call a staff member. The prayer room is in the theme park, not in Lotte World Tower.
Getting there: Take Line 2 or Line 8 to Jamsil Station and use Exit 4.
Lotte WorldPrayer room · Songpa-guhalalmap.orgNami Island, a day trip from Seoul
Want a day outside Seoul? Nami Island is a good pick among places to visit in Korea for Muslims, with a prayer room on the island.
The island is part of Chuncheon in Gangwon Province, but you get there from Gapyeong in Gyeonggi Province. It was formed when the Cheongpyeong Dam was built, and it's named after General Nami. The drama Winter Sonata was filmed here.
You can walk along the ginkgo and metasequoia tree lanes, and stop by the song museum, galleries and children's library.
Getting there: From Seoul, take the ITX-Cheongchun train or the Gyeongchun Line to Gapyeong Station. Gapyeong Wharf is about 1.5 km from the station, so you can walk or take a bus or a taxi. The boat to the island takes about 5 minutes. Ktourstory also runs a direct shuttle bus between Seoul and the island.
You can also go in by zipline from an 80 m tower. It goes one way, so you leave the island by boat. There are height and weight limits.
Prayer room: The prayer room (Musolla) is in the BAPLEX building. Please ask staff on the island how to use it.
Food: Dongmoon, an Asian restaurant on the 1st floor of BAPLEX, also serves halal food. Please ask staff which dishes are halal.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear to visit Seoul Central Mosque?
Please dress modestly. Revealing clothes, such as short skirts, are not allowed. If you need them, you can use long bottoms and a hijab from the changing room next to the entrance.
Is there a prayer room at Lotte World?
Yes. Lotte World Adventure has a Muslim prayer room on the 3rd floor of Adventure, the indoor park. Ring the bell at the door 2 or 3 times to call staff.
Is there halal food on Nami Island?
Yes. Dongmoon, an Asian restaurant on the 1st floor of BAPLEX, also serves halal food. Please ask staff which dishes are halal.
Mosques in Korea
Visiting other cities too? Here is the list of mosques in Korea.
Have a good trip to Korea!